WTOL.com, Toledo's News Leader, News 11 | UT Summer Career Fridays give high schoolers kick start

UT Summer Career Fridays give high schoolers kick start

By Tanieya Lewis - bio | email

Posted by Lisa Strawbridge - email

TOLEDO (WTOL) - They're not out of high school, but some students are getting help picking a college major. Their parents hope it will save some dollars in the future.

The wide-eyed high school students are impressed and a little intimidated as they poke around the lab in UT's School of Pharmacy. Like the others attending, Nathanial Gerald thinks this may be the career for him.

"I got a deeper insight, and at first I was unsure about it. But I'm definite that this is something that I want to go into," said Gerald.

This isn't your average college tour, nor is it a job fair. This is the Summer Career Fridays event.

And the assistant dean of student affairs in the pharmacy college says more kids are taking time out of their summer to check it out.

"I think you're seeing a group of parents that are more proactive and students who are engaging in the exploration of colleges earlier," said Dr. Christine Hinko with the University of Toledo.

That's why Gerald's mother didn't mind making the trip from Cleveland. "When I was going to college 20 years ago, basically, you got the application. You applied with your counselor, but you really didn't get a chance to really experience."

She hopes that having a better handle on the future will help her plan her budget for tuition. "I know things can change, but I really want to know that the foundation is set before we go spending all that money."