Academic advising

[Roadrunner]

Does such a thing exist? 
not college counselors, but actual academic advisors one can talk to for a fee?

[Porridge]

What kind of academic questions would you have? I’m curious why you specifically don’t want a college counselor, as I would think that many of them would also be able to provide academic advice.

[Roadrunner]

Well, more I think about it, more I realize what I need is a mentor. I don’t need a game plan for getting into college. I need somebody who can guide him in his interests. 

[Miss Tick]

My sample of two says that college counselors also offer per hour or short blocks of time for a fee. That time can be used for a variety of things. Or do you want no mixing of job titles?

Ah, then with your additional post I would talk to college counselors about their additional service offerings.

[Roadrunner]

7 minutes ago, SusanC said:

My sample of two says that college counselors also offer per hour or short blocks of time for a fee. That time can be used for a variety of things. Or do you want no mixing of job titles?

Ah, then with your additional post I would talk to college counselors about their additional service offerings.

No, that’s not what I am looking for. College counselors don’t know anymore than I do in specific subject matter. 

Edited June 21, 2021 by Roadrunner

[Lori D.]

31 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

Well, more I think about it, more I realize what I need is a mentor. I don’t need a game plan for getting into college. I need somebody who can guide him in his interests. 

You might private message @Sebastian (a lady), or possibly @Barbara H, as both are certified college consultants and might be able to direct you to the sort of "mentor" you are looking for. (Sebastian still posts here regularly and would see a p.m.; however, it has been over a year since Barbara last visited this forum, so you might contact her through her website: Homeschool Success.)

It sounds to me like it might help to have your DS do some career exploration, either solo or with someone who specializes in career counseling. That leads to understanding what specific education/training is required for specific occupations. And from there, you & DS can start exploring schools that offer the degree or certificate program needs for that occupation. At that point, you would shift into the college search process, and narrow down your choices using factors such as finances/financial aid; location; campus life; additional opportunities within the degree program or at that campus; etc.


ETA
Possibly one of these threads (all linked on PAGE 6 of the big pinned thread "College Motherlode" at the top of the College Board) might be a starting point for you??

CAREER EXPLORATION
Career testing/counseling (2nd post links tons of resources for tests, exploration, curricula, etc.)

career exploration
How to explore possible career/major fits?
Ideas for [putting together a] course on career research/planning

career tests
Best free or cheap career tests?
Career aptitude testing free?
How to explore possible career/major fits?

career guidance
How do you do career guidance as a homeschooler?
College and career planning
How to help students choose a career (responses include ideas for career exploration)
Wearing the counselor hat: how to help your students find the right fit

Edited June 21, 2021 by Lori D.

[Arcadia]

33 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

Well, more I think about it, more I realize what I need is a mentor. I don’t need a game plan for getting into college. I need somebody who can guide him in his interests. 

For your older son? Maybe @Not_a_Number or Dr Sega (https://segamathacademy.com) or if you know a math head of department? 

[Roadrunner]

He knows people but is too shy. That’s why I would rather go on a paid route. 

[MamaSprout]

6 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

He knows people but is too shy. That’s why I would rather go on a paid route. 

Maybe you could bribe both him and the mentor with chocolate? Works at my house. I'm only slightly joking. I have really done that with your ds' long lost twin, lol. "Go into that room full of people doing interesting things and introduce yourself...If you don't run away screaming we'll go to the fancy chocolate shop later."

I did hire a math tutor for her one year in a mutually beneficial set up for the tutor, who was just getting starting, and my kiddo who needed someone besides me to talk with about things mathematical, so I see where you are coming from. 

[Roadrunner]

3 minutes ago, MamaSprout said:

Maybe you could bribe both him and the mentor with chocolate? Works at my house. I'm only slightly joking. I have really done that with your ds' long lost twin, lol. "Go into that room full of people doing interesting things and introduce yourself...If you don't run away screaming we'll go to the fancy chocolate shop later."

I did hire a math tutor for her one year in a mutually beneficial set up for the tutor, who was just getting starting, and my kiddo who needed someone besides me to talk with about things mathematical, so I see where you are coming from. 

He will kill me. 😋

 

[Farrar]

Some of this IS what college counselors do. I know because it's what I do with my homeschool to college clients.

But some of what you're asking for is a mentor in a specific field. Like, you want an academic mentor for your son to do actual research and so forth with who will also get him inspired and guide him toward specific programs, right?

Honestly, I think kids have to reach out to find those folks most of the time. The best way to pay for that sort of experience is to do a pay for play summer program, but most of those are closed for this summer. I did see a paid academic mentor program not long ago... it was major $$$$ for not much payoff IMHO. You can't do it for them. The kid has to spearhead it. Like, you can find names and potential places to make those connections - like at community college. But the kid has to do it. I know that kids can be shy - my kids also miss out on things because they refuse to step up and ask questions or for help. But that means they lose opportunities. I can't buy their way back into them. If you're going to pay anyone, I'd suggest paying someone to help him learn to put himself out there - a social skills coach. 

[Roadrunner]

1 hour ago, Farrar said:

Some of this IS what college counselors do. I know because it's what I do with my homeschool to college clients.

But some of what you're asking for is a mentor in a specific field. Like, you want an academic mentor for your son to do actual research and so forth with who will also get him inspired and guide him toward specific programs, right?

Honestly, I think kids have to reach out to find those folks most of the time. The best way to pay for that sort of experience is to do a pay for play summer program, but most of those are closed for this summer. I did see a paid academic mentor program not long ago... it was major $$$$ for not much payoff IMHO. You can't do it for them. The kid has to spearhead it. Like, you can find names and potential places to make those connections - like at community college. But the kid has to do it. I know that kids can be shy - my kids also miss out on things because they refuse to step up and ask questions or for help. But that means they lose opportunities. I can't buy their way back into them. If you're going to pay anyone, I'd suggest paying someone to help him learn to put himself out there - a social skills coach. 

Well, it’s not the opportunities that I am looking for. And no, I didn’t say anywhere I wanted to do research. And no, I am not looking for summer opportunities. I know about those. I can Google. 
I am looking for guidance, as in best path forward in the area of his interest. He is too embarrassed to ask for advice. 
 

I don’t  see why I can pay for college counselors (useless to me for this) but can’t pay for an actual professional to sit down with him.

 

Actually doesn’t  CTY do that now that I think of it?  

Edited June 21, 2021 by Roadrunner

[chiguirre]

Would he come into contact with adults in his field of interest in the course of his normal activities? Or could he sign up for something where he might meet adults who work in the field?

For example, when my dd started seriously considering the Navy she found a ton of people who were either veterans or had kids who were in the Navy through her sailing lessons, Sea Scouts and her CC classes. She had to be willing to take the first step and express her interest (not always easy because she's shy too) but once she took that first step, it seemed that sailors kept popping up all over the place. That's probably not surprising given her activities, but she didn't expect it to be as easy as it was.

Another resource dd found very useful was Reddit. There are subreddits for so many things. She used Navy subreddits, IT subreddits, clearance subreddits and women in the military subreddits to research her options. Many posters were willing to DM with her about their jobs. This was important because many posters aren't comfortable posting details about their work but are willing to discuss them in private conversations. I wouldn't use Reddit as your only resource, but it's a surprisingly useful place to start. 

[Roadrunner]

Nm. 

Edited June 21, 2021 by Roadrunner

[chiguirre]

2 minutes ago, Roadrunner said:

He won’t ask. I can’t overstate how shy he is. He knows several but is just too embarrassed to ask. I really wish we had applied to Davidson when he was young. 

If he won't ask in person, are there any chat boards that are relevant to his area of interest? As every WTMer knows, it's way easier to type than to talk.

[Roadrunner]

From everybody’s post I guess the answer is no. 🙂 

[regentrude]

Have you considered reaching out to a college department in his area of interest and speaking to the academic advisor there?

I have been in contact with a homeschooling mother whose DS wants to prepare for a major in our department, and I have given her suggestions how to prepare him, what DE classes to choose, etc. Just a thought.

[Lori D.]

2 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

Well, it’s not the opportunities that I am looking for. And no, I didn’t say anywhere I wanted to do research. And no, I am not looking for summer opportunities. I know about those. I can Google. 
I am looking for guidance, as in best path forward in the area of his interest. He is too embarrassed to ask for advice. 
I don’t  see why I can pay for college counselors (useless to me for this) but can’t pay for an actual professional to sit down with him....

So, after seeing further posts in this thread I thought, "Oh! She's NOT looking for career exploration (as in, helping DS figure out his interests and how those could lead to specific types of occupations) -- she's looking for extracurriculars and opportunities for DS to DO his interest while still in high school." And then in the above post, you say no, that's not what you're looking for either. 😉 

I am very confused as to what exactly you ARE looking for?? I don't understand what you mean by "looking for guidance as to the best path forward in the area of his interest". Do you mean as "guidance as to a path towards future job in the interest area"? OR, do you mean "how to go deeper with this area while still in high school"?? Or something else???

I was guessing a sort of interview with a professional in the field of Ds's interest, which sounds like it is along the lines of job shadowing. But that is back to career exploration types of activities--which sounds like it is NOT what you're looking for.

So, I'm stumped. 😉 

- Do you mean DS needs to talk to a college professor in his field of interest who can provide him with articles on the area of interest that he can read and learn more about his area of interest?
- Or does DS want some college-level MOOC classes or dual enrollment in his interest area to go forward further into that area??
- Does he want/need a college tutor in his area of interest to meet weekly to discuss articles, work on a project, or move forward in other ways with some direction??
- Would participating on a high school group or team that directly "does" the interest area, OR, be a high school intern with a college team that is researching or doing a project in that area of interest help with "moving forward" in the way he wants?


Really DO want to help. I am just confused. 😄 

Edited June 21, 2021 by Lori D.

[Library Momma]

Most High school seniors here have the opportunity to do a two week internship in a field they are interested in pursuing, towards the end of the school year.  The schools have lists of individuals and firms willing to work with the students in a large variety of fields.  Perhaps your local high school can put you in touch with someone that would be more willing to answer questions from a student.  They may even be able to provide internship opportunities.  

[Arcadia]

2 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

Actually doesn’t  CTY do that now that I think of it?  

https://cty.jhu.edu/set/services/counseling.html

My teens prefer to ask questions in forums since they can “hide” behind a username. CTY counseling is free but my teens do not want to talk to the counselors themselves so I could ask on their behalf but it becomes kind of like a relay chat in email format. 

Edited June 21, 2021 by Arcadia
Grammar

[Roadrunner]

15 minutes ago, Arcadia said:

https://cty.jhu.edu/set/services/counseling.html

My teens prefer to ask questions in forums since they can “hide” behind a username. CTY counseling is free but my teens do not want to talk to the counselors themselves so I could ask on their behalf but it becomes kind of like a relay chat in email format. 

Yes. That’s what I am thinking next. I completely forgot about SET. 

[Porridge]

i was going to suggest what @Arcadia mentioned. I once reached out to a local prof about a question DD had and he was super helpful. I cold emailed the email posted in the public website! I didn’t expect a reply but was surprised at how much this person was willing to help.

[Farrar]

Color me confused as well. Finding "the best path forward in his area of interest" is exactly what college and career counselors DO. 

You don't want him to participate and work, research, and do the thing with a mentor... but you also don't want "opportunities." Do you just need to find a tutor to chat with him about his subject of interest?

Long term, I maintain that helping him develop the skills to reach out and ask for people to mentor him, help him, do things with him, let him observe or participate in projects/research/internships/whatever is the bigger need here. Even if you figure out what you're looking for and manage to pay someone to do it NOW, that might help him a little in the short term, but it's not going to help him long term as doing those things are how you succeed in life, especially if you have an academic interest. My kids struggle with this too so I definitely get it. But also, the consequence for not doing it is losing some opportunities until you figure out how to.

In some areas of interest, there are great forums. I know of some cool homeschool success stories of kids making great mentor connections with academics on forums. But again, they're reaching out and making connections.

[Roadrunner]

51 minutes ago, Farrar said:

Color me confused as well. Finding "the best path forward in his area of interest" is exactly what college and career counselors DO. 

You don't want him to participate and work, research, and do the thing with a mentor... but you also don't want "opportunities." Do you just need to find a tutor to chat with him about his subject of interest?

Long term, I maintain that helping him develop the skills to reach out and ask for people to mentor him, help him, do things with him, let him observe or participate in projects/research/internships/whatever is the bigger need here. Even if you figure out what you're looking for and manage to pay someone to do it NOW, that might help him a little in the short term, but it's not going to help him long term as doing those things are how you succeed in life, especially if you have an academic interest. My kids struggle with this too so I definitely get it. But also, the consequence for not doing it is losing some opportunities until you figure out how to.

In some areas of interest, there are great forums. I know of some cool homeschool success stories of kids making great mentor connections with academics on forums. But again, they're reaching out and making connections.

I found what I need. 
I thought I was very clear I needed an academic counselor, the type you find in colleges. I am not sure what is so confusing.  CTY will help me. That was the right place to go. 
I didn’t ask for advice on his personality traits or how to improve it. He is who he is. 

[Not_a_Number]

2 hours ago, Roadrunner said:

I found what I need. 
I thought I was very clear I needed an academic counselor, the type you find in colleges. I am not sure what is so confusing.  CTY will help me. That was the right place to go. 
I didn’t ask for advice on his personality traits or how to improve it. He is who he is. 

OK, so you found what you wanted? 

[Roadrunner]

13 minutes ago, Not_a_Number said:

OK, so you found what you wanted? 

I will PM you

Edited June 22, 2021 by Roadrunner