What does college look like for you?
he college experience can look different for every person. At Bridges we work not only with graduating seniors, rising juniors, middle school students and students who have received HSEs, but we also help parents, people returning to school and people who are making midlife career changes. Their stories may be different, but they share a desire to access postsecondary education to develop themselves personally and/or professionally.
Some students want to further their education because they have a goal of improving their skills and working towards a degree. Others may be balancing their current job and family while taking one class at a time.
If you are thinking about going to college or pursuing vocational training, you can begin by thinking about your ultimate personal and professional goals. Every person has a different academic record, work schedule, set of family obligations and financial situation, yet there is a school for everyone.
The trick is how to make school work for you, whatever your circumstances. You may choose to attend a vocational training program, a two-year school to attain a certificate or associate degree, or a four-year school to earn a bachelor’s degree. Each of these options comes with unique benefits and a specific course of action.
Workplace skills and job opportunities are direct benefits of postsecondary education. With increased knowledge, skills and experience comes increased income, health advantages, community engagement and feelings of self-worth.
The pursuit of postsecondary education enhances writing and verbal communication and offers transferable life skills like organization, time management and self-reflection and analysis. When individuals succeed, communities succeed.
You don’t have to know what you want to study to take the next step in your education. Often the point of college or postsecondary education is to broaden your ideas of what is possible and to explore new things that may spark your interests. College often provides opportunities for internships that can help decide the right path for you.
Scholarships are most abundant directly out of high school, but there are opportunities for older students, or students who have taken a break from school. The timeline for these scholarships is not as streamlined.
However, you can meet with us to learn about scholarships that may pertain to you. You may also find out about scholarships by talking to the financial aid or career center at your school. There is often funding available related to your field of study as well as activities you’re involved with.
What does college look like for you? Let us help. We offer one-on-one counseling because it is the most responsive to individual needs. We can walk together through a single step or the entire process. Feel free to call us at 575-758-5074 or email info@bridgesproject.org with questions or to set up an appointment.
Bridges is open Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Our services are free, but we invite students and their families to help sustain the organization for future students by making a contribution.