Choosing where to go after high school is one of the biggest decisions students have to make and as parents, it is our duty to guide our children when it’s time for them to make this decision.

In my high school, we were given a chance to spend a day in the career path we would like to take. Back then, I was a huge fan of Grey’s Anatomy so I chose to go with the Med-Group. We spent our day in hospitals, learning about the kind of work that those in the medical field do.

But, aside from my interest in medicine, I also found joy in learning about history, culture, and languages–specifically that of the European countries. In fact, in my elementary and high school years, I joined the French and Spanish language clubs and would independently study languages through the internet.

Come senior year, when the universities visited our school, I took two applications. One for BS Nursing in U.P. and one for AB European Studies in Ateneo De Manila University. I passed both universities (oha!), but the call to learn about history, culture, languages, and international relations was louder and so I enrolled in Ateneo de Manila University for the course AB European Studies (International Relations Track) and a minor in Hispanic Studies. I couldn’t be any happier because I truly am happy in the career path I chose!

If you have a student who is about to go to college, here are some points to consider to help them come up with a plan:

What are your strengths and interests?

When students evaluate their interests and career prospects, they might find that what they want to pursue might not always line up with what their high school grades reflect. However, tertiary education allows for a fresh start, and it’s better to start with a target that they will enjoy pursuing, rather than pick a course that seems convenient. Passion drives a student to chase their goals, and should be a top priority to consider to avoid regrets later on.

What school should you choose?

When considering a school, keep in mind that it is more than just a name on a diploma. Primarily, the academic offerings of the school should line up with the student’s goals. The environment a school provides not only helps build the skill set of a student for a future career, but also helps shape the character of a maturing adult.

For some that may be uncomfortable with traditional colleges, students may want to consider attending a creative arts institute or a vocational school that specializes in specific skills. With globalization and the rapid development of tech and media, more and more career opportunities have opened up to these alternative paths.

Established institutions should also have a track record of taking care of their graduates after completing their education. Picking the right course at the right school should strengthen a student’s chances of starting off with a good career track.

What are your financial capabilities and resources?

Finances are the one thing most people want to avoid talking about, but is a very serious issue to consider. Tertiary education takes several years to complete, and plans made without calculated financial roadmaps can easily be derailed. This also makes a change of heart in the middle of a course very costly and risky. However, you can expand your limits by considering the many scholarships and financial assistance options now made available to many. These options may even extend to allow a student to study abroad.

With so many things to take into consideration, it may be hard for both parents and students to make an optimal decision. This is why it is highly recommended that you attend Expo for Higher Education 2016 on October 21 to 23 at the SMX Convention Center Manila where exhibitors from many local and overseas schools will be present to offer students possibilities that they might not have considered before. The three-day event is the perfect opportunity to inquire about tuition fees, scholarships, test schedules and new course offerings. Aside from exhibitor booths, several institutions will also be providing interesting and creative presentations every hour to the expo’s attendees.

Entrance to the Expo is free of charge, so make sure you aren’t left behind! To learn more about the event, as well as register for free, visit www.expoforhighereducation.com.