Kelly MacLean- What You Were Never Told About College

When you were a kid, how often did you think about what kind of career you wanted when you grew up? Work takes up a lot of space in our lives, and for many, that journey began by deciding if and where to attend college. My guest today is Kelly Maclean, Founder of the Kelly MacLean Achievement Center. Over the last 11 years, Kelly and her team have helped over 5000 students select the right major and college, get selected for scholarships, and set them up for a bright and successful future. You know this podcast is all about creating your best life, so even if you don’t have kids or college is just a hazy memory, stick around, because as you might expect, Kelly and I go a little deeper into how decisions made in high school can impact life’s trajectory.   Connect with Kelly: Website   http://kelly-mac.com   LinkedIn URL   https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelly-maclean-08913b42   Facebook URL   https://www.facebook.com/groups/401857574548846   YouTube URL   https://youtube.com/https://www.facebook.com/groups/401857574548846   Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/kellymac4u   ----more---- Summary Kelly McLean, founder of the Kelly McLean Achievement Center, discusses the college admissions process and the importance of finding the right fit for students. She emphasizes that college admissions is a business and that colleges are looking for diversity within their programs. McLean highlights the need for students to gain confidence in pursuing their dreams and not settling for what is considered safe. She also discusses the importance of considering the culture and community of a college, as well as the financial aspect. McLean shares examples of how students can stand out and gain valuable experiences during their college journey. Many students enter college without a clear understanding of what their future career will entail, leading to dissatisfaction and potential career changes. The education system has not kept up with the changing job market, leaving students unaware of the wide range of career options available to them. Shadowing professionals in different fields can help students gain a better understanding of what a job actually entails and whether it aligns with their interests and skills. It is important for students to have a love of learning and curiosity, as jobs of the future may not even exist yet. College is not the right path for everyone, and it is important for parents and students to consider alternative options that align with their interests and goals.   Keywords college admissions, diversity, finding the right fit, confidence, culture, community, financial aspect, standing out, valuable experiences, college, career, education system, job market, career exploration, shadowing, love of learning, curiosity, alternative options   Takeaways College admissions is a business, and colleges are looking for diversity within their programs. Students should gain confidence in pursuing their dreams and not settle for what is considered safe. It is important to consider the culture and community of a college when making a decision. The financial aspect of college should also be taken into account. Students can stand out and gain valuable experiences by thinking outside the box and taking initiative. Many students enter college without a clear understanding of what their future career will entail, leading to potential dissatisfaction and career changes. The education system has not kept up with the changing job market, leaving students unaware of the wide range of career options available to them. Shadowing professionals in different fields can help students gain a better understanding of what a job actually entails and whether it aligns with their interests and skills. It is important for students to have a love of learning and curiosity, as jobs of the future may not even exist yet. College is not the right path for everyone, and it is important for parents and students to consider alternative options that align with their interests and goals.   Sound Bites "Your child can check every box, have the stats, and still not get in." "This is a joyful rebellion." "When you go through your twenties, it's the get era." "Kids have no idea what jobs are out there." "Over 80% of them have come back and said, I don't want to do it." "How about four years? Whoa." Chapters 00:00The Business of College Admissions and the Importance of Diversity 05:14Gaining Confidence to Pursue Your Dreams 10:18Considering Culture and Community in College Decision-Making 13:05The Financial Aspect of College 16:15Standing Out and Gaining Valuable Experiences 29:40The Need for Career Exploration and Shadowing 33:19The Importance of Love of Learning and Curiosity 39:33Alternative Options to College 43:14Preparing for Jobs of the Future