Students plan their futures
at 11th annual college fair
PLAINS TWP. - Coughlin High School junior Valeri Davi has not yet chosen a college, but she is picking a major with a good job outlook: physical therapy.
"I know I want to go into something in the health care industry," Valeri said. "I like taking care of people."
Valeri was one of hundreds of students from 23 area high schools who attended the Pennsylvania Association for College Admission Counseling's 11th annual Northeast Regional College Fair at the Woodlands Inn and Resort on Monday. The fair was sponsored by The Times-Tribune and The Citizens' Voice.
Representatives from 175 colleges from 19 states talked to students about higher education. Admissions counselors and financial aid officers also answered students' questions.
Anne Lew, chairwoman of the college fair and associate director of college guidance at Wyoming Seminary, said she sees the number of college applications increasing despite a tough economy and a decrease in the number of high school juniors and seniors.
Ms. Lew said a growing number of students are expressing an interest in pursuing health care careers, which are projected to be among the fastest-growing jobs over the next decade.
Rachel Oberg, assistant director of admissions for Misericordia University in Dallas Twp., also sees that heightened interest.
The top three fields of study at King's College in Wilkes-Barre also are medical fields, said Thomas Landon, associate director of admissions.
Students are concerned about finding a job after graduation and that's why they're interested in medical fields, Mr. Landon said. When they graduate, they're almost guaranteed they will have a job, he said.
Many students, however, will enter college with an undeclared major, Ms. Lew said. Her advice for high school students looking for a college is to research and investigate different options. She said they should decide if they want to go to a big school or a little school and see which schools have a program of study they're looking for. She also recommended taking advantage of the local colleges which have showed excellence in all fields.
"Don't overlook what's right in your own backyard," she said.
Contact the writer: dallabaugh@citizensvoice.com