Early college planning information and activities for 6th-grade students.
Look 2 College for 6th Graders
What do you want to be?
How will you get there?
How will you pay for it?
Think ABOUT…
Tired of people asking, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Wouldn’t it be great to answer them with an awesome career you have in mind? WHAT DO YOU WANT TO BE?
This “career wheel” shows six major career fields. There are many jobs you could pursue within each field.
Here are some in-demand careers in Nebraska:
- Soil & Plant Scientist - Environmental Engineer
- Loan Officer - Financial Manager
- Software Developer - Computer Support Specialist
- Construction Manager - Truck Driver
Nebraska Career Education Model
- Social Worker - Teacher
- Radiologic Technologist - Registered Nurse
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To get the career you want in the future, you will need education after high school. This might be:
• 4-year college • 2-year college
• Trade school • Military
These career fields are “in-demand” in Nebraska - meaning there are lots of jobs! See how much you can earn, depending on your level of education.
SKILLED & TECHNICAL SCIENCES Truck Driver (transport goods and materials)
HEALTH SCIENCES
2-year associate’s degree from a community college $23/hour* or $48,000/year Radiologic Technologist (take & review x-rays) Education: Starting pay:
Education: Starting pay:
6-8 week certificate from a community college $19/hour* or $39,000/year
Registered Nurse (provide patient care)
Construction Manager (oversee projects and workers)
Education: Starting pay:
Education: Starting pay:
bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college $29/hour* or $60,000/year
bachelor’s degree from a 4-year college $28/hour* or $58,000/year
*Source: Nebraska Department of Labor Discover more careers at MyNextMove.org .
Use Reality Check to imagine your future lifestyle and careers that can help you pay for it.
eqf.org/RltyChk
What do you want to be? Answer these questions and share your responses with someone.
What career fields interest you? For example: health sciences (red).
What careers have you considered?
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Think ABOUT…
HOW WILL YOU GET THERE?
Most careers require education after high school – what we typically call “college.” What can you do to make college happen?
You’re like…why talk about this now? College is a long way off! The thing is, there are choices you can make now that will prepare you for college later.
Be your best self!
One big thing you can do is make good choices. We’re talking about character, which includes being respectful, kind, responsible, and trustworthy.
How could you show character in these scenarios? Good character makes a difference.
I’ve got this covered!
You're last to leave the lunch table and it's a mess. ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ You're assigned to work in a group with someone you don't get along with. ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Good character and strong work skills are important now and in your future job. Your employer will expect you to get along with others and get your work done on time. Being your best self matters, both as a student and future employee!
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Learn how to study and get organized ! Another way to be your best self...
Let's see how much you know about study skills. Are the following statements a Truth or a Lie ?
1.
It’s better to study right after school instead of late at night. Do your easiest homework first. Find a different place to study each day. Unless needed for school work, remove your phone or laptop from the room where you’re studying. Truth Lie or Truth Lie or
Truth Lie or
2. 3. 4.
Truth Lie or
Make a plan now for who you can ask for help.
Take big assignments, like a project, and break it into smaller tasks. Then it’s not so overwhelming.
Study Tip
eqf.org/336950
Building good study skills now = success in high school later!
Check the study and organization habits you currently have:
I get to school and class on time.
I use a planner to write down assignments for each class.
I ask the teacher questions if I don’t understand.
I turn off distractions, like texts or videos, when studying.
I use color folders or binders to organize papers for each subject, like a green binder for math.
What’s something else you do? _____________________________
Any boxes unchecked? Choose one habit to try this week.
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Think ABOUT…
HOW WILL YOU PAY FOR COLLEGE?
As a sixth grader, there are things you can do now to pay for college later, including earning and saving money. If possible, your parents should also start saving money for your future education. We’ll show you how that money can add up!
There are things you want to buy with the money you earn, right? That means you should save some of that money.
Here are some examples:
Short-term purchase:
If you make $20 a week mowing your neighbor’s lawn and want to buy $160 headphones, how many weeks will it take you to earn that money?
20
160
= _______ weeks or _______ months
That won’t take so long, right? A little bit of patience can pay off!
Long-term purchase:
Let’s say you make $40 a month babysitting and want to buy a used car by the time you’re 16 at an estimated cost of $3,000. Do the math.
$40 per month 12 months __________
x
= $ _______ x 4 years (That’s when you’ll turn 16!) = $ _______
You may need to do more than babysit to earn money for the car!
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529 COLLEGE SAVINGS PLANS If your parents or other caring adults put money into a 529 College Savings Plan, it would typically earn more than it would in a bank savings account. The 529 Plan in Nebraska is called NEST or Nebraska Educational Savings Trust.
How will the money grow? This shows the average amount earned on $100 invested into a bank savings account and a 529 College Savings Plan.
If you save $50 a month for the next six years, you will have $3,600 plus earnings when it’s time to go to
Bank Savings Account
10¢
$100
$100
529 College Savings Plan
$5
$5
$100
$100
$1
$1
$1
$1
FINANCIAL AID: Another way to pay for college.
You and your parents will apply for financial aid when you’re a senior in high school. It may include:
Scholarships and Grants - sometimes called “gift aid” because you don’t have to pay them back. Student Loans - money you will have to pay back. Work-Study - money you earn from a job on campus.
Scan the code below to apply for your first scholarship!
eqf.org/197166
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EDUCATIONQUEST CAN HELP YOU START YOUR JOURNEY TO COLLEGE.
We’re a nonprofit organization that provides FREE services and programs for Nebraska students and families including:
• College-prep information and tools at EducationQuest.org. • One-on-one help at college planning offices in Omaha, Lincoln, Kearney, and Scottsbluff. • Outreach services for community agency clients. • Statewide efforts such as college fairs, financial aid programs, and the Apply2College campaign. • Look2College, KnowHow2GO, and Exploring College programs for younger students.
We also provide need-based scholarships for students referred by colleges or community agencies and award College Access Grants to Nebraska high schools.
FOR FREE HELP WITH COLLEGE PLANNING, CONTACT THE LOCATION NEAREST YOU.
OMAHA Rockbrook Village
LINCOLN 1300 O St. 402.475.5222
KEARNEY 2706 Second Ave. 308.234.6310
SCOTTSBLUFF 1601 E 27th St. 308.708.7199
11031 Elm St. 402.391.4033
EducationQuest.org
©2023 EducationQuest Foundation, Inc.
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