The Best College Fit For You Based on Your Career Pathway

     When current high school students reach the end of their junior year they should be prepared to know the best fit for their individual success after high school. Some students may choose not to go to college after graduation, and that’s ok, but students that do decide to attend college should know what they’re looking to achieve to find the best fit for them. Something that students can use to narrow down their college decisions is what best fits their career pathway.

     The career pathways consist of areas of work like arts and communications, human services, engineering, business, and health sciences. There are many factors that go into a college being considered “fit” for your area of interest. Things like specialized academic programs, internship opportunities, graduation rates, and after graduation employment rates are to be strongly considered when doing your college search. 

     Here are the top 3 schools in Michigan Based on each of the career pathways and examples of jobs in each field.

Arts and Communications (Job Examples: Acting, Journalism, Advertising)

1. Western Michigan University: WMU’s school of communication is a top masters program and ranked No. 14 in the state of Michigan. The school has specialized training programs in fields like digital media and public relations. 

2. Aquinas College – Michigan: Education combines liberal arts foundations with real world learning and connections to local industries. The school is close to downtown Grand Rapids which offers students easy access to securing local internships and hands-on projects. Students also are allowed the opportunity for dual majors to get the most out of their education for their desired field of study.
3. Eastern Michigan: Offers three main areas of studies; communication, media, and theatre arts. Students are able to build their experience by using nearby news and radio facilities. The university’s theatre program has been recognized for their quality productions and thorough training.

Human Services (Job Examples: Social Workers, Case Managers, Counselors)

1. Spring Arbor University: The university is recognized as a premier human services school in Michigan due to its strong accreditation and small supportive class environment. Its program emphasizes thorough training that prepares students for community-focused roles.

2. Washtenaw Community College : Was found to be a top choice for those in the human service pathway for preparing students with the ground knowledge they need for studying at a 4 year institution, which also comes with easy transfer.

3. Delta College – Michigan: Students can benefit from specialized courses, hands on learning, and easy transfer to a 4 year university.

Engineering (Job Examples: Manufacturing, Industrial, and Design Engineers)

1. 
   University of Michigan – Ann Arbor: The university is considered a top choice for engineering because of its research funding and hands-on learning.

2. Michigan Technological University: The school is recognized for its intense, hands on curriculum and qualities that impress employers. The school also has outstanding career placement opportunities.

3. Michigan State University : MSU is considered another amazing choice for engineering because of its hands-on learning operations, research, and corporate connections.

Business, Management, Marketing, and Technology (Job Examples: HR Manager, Accountant, Finance)

1. University of Michigan – Ann Arbor: The school is known for its elite academics, especially in this field, and students have the opportunity to work in corporate positions before graduation.
2. Michigan State University: The school has a number of specialized programs and operations. 
3. Cleary University : The school has a high return on the investment you pay to go for four years, meaning you’ll earn a desirable salary to make up any debt. The school also has career driven academic programs.

Health Sciences (Job Examples: Registered Nurse, Physician Assistant, Radiology Technician)

1. Wayne State University: The university is considered a top choice for its research and its close proximity to Detroit Medical Center.
2. Grand Valley State University: Grand Valley is in close proximity to medical centers in downtown Grand Rapids. Students are also offered labs that mimic a real hospital environment. 
3. Oakland University: Oakland University has clinical connections and facilities to give students a hands-on experience.

Natural Resources and Agrisciences

1. Michigan State University: The university is highly ranked for its land grant. They also have highly cited researchers to turn lab discoveries into real world applications. The campus also has working farms and greenhouses for students to immerse themselves while learning.
2. Andrews University: Students get experience daily by caring for various kinds of animals.
3. Northern Michigan University : The school is known for its specialized programs like controlled environment agriculture and indoor agriculture. The school also focuses on sustainable growing systems for cold climates. Lastly, the university offers programs tailored to modern, urban, and high-tech food production.