The new year is a great time to set resolutions, goals and intentions for yourself. From getting a better SAT score to signing up for AP courses, a common goal for many teens is to excel in school and start the preparation for college.

We recently asked our alumni to share why it’s important for teenagers to explore college and career options. 

Alumni Testimonials

In this day and age teens are constantly told what is considered a “good” career or a “good” college, when in fact these things could not be the right fit for them. By having the opportunity to explore different options, teens gain insight into what and where will really be the best place for them as well as learn about other opportunities in the world.

– Lillie Dawes (Summer Springboard alumni 2019, UC Berkeley, Global Health)

It provides a sense of security and direction. Adolescence is often a confusing time, especially with figuring out your passions and where you want to go college-wise and career-wise, so I think it is highly beneficial for teens to get a head start. I can personally say that exploring colleges and careers has made me feel more confident and secure about my future!

– Ally Harris (Summer Springboard alumni 2019, Yale, Trial Law)

For some, maybe they have grown up knowing exactly what they wanted to do, but I still think that exploring other options would greatly benefit them and they can gain a new perspective from these other careers. For those who don’t know exactly what job they want as an adult, I believe that exploring various options will allow for more experience and that they can narrow down what they do or don’t want to do.

– Gabriel Barros (Summer Springboard alumni 2019, Yale, Business)

The world is wide open at this time, and in order to become what you want to be, you need to experience it first hand. This is exactly what Summer Springboard can offer you. I finally understood what I was meant to do in life. It definitely changed my view about college majors/careers because I felt invigorated and eager to go to college! I learned that as long as I’m passionate about what I’m studying, I’ll enjoy it.

– Maris Brail (Summer Springboard alumni 2019, Yale, Creative Writing)

Key Takeaway

Remember that all goals should be achievable, measurable, and ultimately enjoyable. Summer Springboard was founded to give college-bound teens a supportive environment where they can explore their personal and academic passions.

While our summer programs on the campus of Yale University, UC Berkeley, Cal Poly, UC San Diego, Georgetown University, American University, or Boston may look similar to other programs – they’re not. 

Our distinctive program design helps students better understand their strengths, weaknesses, and unique personality traits so they can make more informed decisions about their future. 

Interested in learning more?

Summer Springboard provides pre-college summer programs for teens at UC Berkeley, Yale, Georgetown, Boston, Cal Poly in San Luis Obispo, and UC San Diego. Call 858-780-5660 for more info.