The Initial Path

Every fall, the counselors have one-on-one meetings with the senior class as well as send out newsletters to them and their parents in order to answer these questions.

Counselor and AP coordinator Erin Hayes believes that the large number of students each counselor is responsible for can be an obstacle, but all students can get the resources they need.

“There are definitely students who come in and talk because they don’t know what they want to do, and that’s not a quick conversation, but we tell them what classes they could be taking here to see if that’s something they’d be interested later because we have a lot of offerings,” Hayes said. “I help answer questions, find contact information and get you in touch with the experts. Sometimes, it’s things I don’t know, but it’s always something we’re willing to help find out.”

According to Hayes, for students attending college after high school, there are many factors to consider like cost, college experience, majors offered, job opportunities and in-state versus out-of-state.

Senior Liz Fraka began touring colleges as early as September of sophomore year in order to begin working toward her long-term goal early. For Fraka, cost, familiarity and opportunities for her intended major, Architecture, sparked an interest in studying at the University of Kansas.

“I can’t decide between math and science versus creativity stuff. Architecture is an interdisciplinary degree, so I can do both. It was the way to pick without having to pick,” Fraka said. “You could go to an out-of-state school and pay way more, or you could stay in-state and not have to pay for travel. I grew up with KU, I’ve always liked KU and I have friends at KU.”

Conversely, senior Seth Hobson will be attending college out-of-state in order to study computer science; he is currently deciding between the University of Chicago, Northwestern University or Swarthmore College.

“I wanted to go somewhere out-of-state because I wanted to go out and experience something different,” Hobson said. “Also, I was trying to get the best education in the areas I wanted to go into.”

According to David Gonzalez-Dysinger, a CollegePoint coach who provides college advising to students across the country, a student’s intended major is as important to the college experience as location.

“Don’t focus too much on how practical a major is or how much money you think you can earn with it,” Gonzalez-Dysinger said via email. “Focus on what you are interested in and would be happy studying in depth for several years.”

College may not be the only viable option for students though. According to Degree Query, 30 percent of students only attend a four-year college because they believe it’s the natural progression after high school, and 23 percent only go because it’s expected of them. Additionally, data from Burning Glass Technologies states 43 percent of college graduates are underemployed, meaning they are in jobs that don’t require a college degree.

For financial as well as personal reasons, senior Ben Coulson will be attending trade school.

“While everyone else still has three more years left of school and will be coming out with student loans and debt, I’ll already have been working for two-to-three more years,” Coulson said. “You miss out on going to a university with your friends, but it’s worth it because I’m starting my life faster and this is always what I’ve wanted to do.”

Similarly, junior Cahill Eckhardt plans to work in the trade field as a construction worker or plumber.

“I just kind of always knew I worked better with my hands than using fancy math and stuff. Plus, I don’t want to have a desk job,” Eckhardt said. “It’s just better for me that way.”

However, Eckhardt recommends enlisting in the military as an option if you are unsure of what path to take after graduation.

“I would say if [you] don’t know what you want to do after school, not even including trade school, to join the military because they’ll give you a job with what you’re good at, even if you don’t think you’re good at it,” Eckhardt said. “You’ll have a career in the military if you choose to, or after four years, you can get out and start your own business or join a company because military personnel who have training normally get hired faster than those who weren’t in the military at all.”

Enlisting is senior Kaleb Shukeat’s plan, post-graduation. Shukeat plans to join the Marine Reserve and then attend the University of Kansas as a political science major on the law pathway.

“I got some inspiration from both my father and my own personal interests. My father was in the marines and my grandfather was also in the navy, so it’s kind of in the family. Also, growing up, I always wanted to serve our country,” Shukeat said. “I’ve also noticed that from a young age I was really good at arguing and debate. I’ve been a part of policy debate here at Mill Valley for four years. I also went to boys state last year as a junior and I was able to be a judge there and an attorney there and it really helped push me toward what I wanted to do in law.”

Despite his clear plans for life after graduation, Shukeat faced indecision during his underclassman years.

“Coming into high school I had this huge ideology that I was going to be going to West Point, I was going to be this huge great sensation of the world. Reality hit me pretty fast,” Shukeat said. “While it’d be awesome to have gotten into West Point and have succeeded that far in my life in being the best new thing, you have to be realistic sometimes and I realized that was way past what I was capable of.”

Hayes believes more students should consider other options, besides attending a college or university, post-graduation.

“We’re trying to be helpful to everyone. There are so many other things people can do besides go to a four-year university,” Hayes said. “I think something that should be a goal for our department is to find more information for students who are looking at a trade school or the military; we try to get them the resources they need.”