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January 9, 2009

Learning the ropes

DHS seniors learn to make college and careers count

Derrick Miller

DUNCAN — Learning doesn’t end with high school graduation. But what is learned in high school can have an impact on what comes after.

Duncan High School continued its Making It Count program Thursday by providing seniors with information on how to be successful in college and in the career field.

This is the second time this school year an individual from the Make It Counts program has talked to DHS students. The first time was a discussion with the freshmen to help them figure out how to be successful in high school.

For both programs, it was Scott Cooksey doing the talking, and during Thursday’s program, Cooksey talked about figuring out career choices and how to achieve the goals set.

“There are two things successful people have: Desire and know-how,” he said. “Today, I cannot give you the desire to succeed. That’s up to you.

“Today, I’m going to give you the tools needed to get the know-how.”

He said everyone has different career aspirations. Some people go to college, while others elect to join the workforce immediately following high school.

Cooksey said some of those who go immediately to work realize the limitations they face when they don’t go to college.

“My job today is not to twist your arm and tell you ‘you have to go to college,’” he said. “That’s a choice.”

Regardless of when someone chooses to enter the workforce, there is a career path set that could help him or her be successful in getting the job he or she wants.

The three steps to the career path outlined by Cooksey were looking at strengths, interests and the future job market. By assessing one’s strengths and interests, people can find jobs they like and are good at.

When a job is selected, developing characteristics essential to the job is an important step, he said. Seven characteristics mentioned include communication skills, organizational skills, leadership skills, logic, efforts, group skills and entrepreneur skills.

In addition to capturing these characteristics, people should have examples to display these qualities, Cooksey said.

One skill that applies heavily to college and work is time management.

“Time is the most valuable thing you have,” he said. “If you don’t manage your time effectively, you’ll run out of time for the important things.”

Time management isn’t the only thing that students were told to work on in college. Cooksey said they should also develop test taking skills.

He mentioned things students should pay attention to when learning the material that could help them on tests.

These include vocabulary, lists, formulas and equations, and anything highlighted by the instructor as a test possibility.

“When a professor says ‘This is going to be on the test,’ write it down,” Cooksey said.

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