What do you want to do when you grow up?

Many youth will go through 50 or more career decisions in a year while growing up. This week it may be a policeman, next week a fireman, the next a wildlife biologist, etc.

Considering careers is good. However, a more important decision is to plan and make the decision for educational determination. In other words, make college or post-secondary education decisions in kindergarten and the career decisions will follow and can come much later.

For many with kids, the word “college” invokes fear of pain in the wallet or a sea of information to wade through. The thought about college is also put off until high school and sadly for some thought to be out of reach.

Take heart, Sept. 26-30 is College Go Kickoff Week. Learn More Indiana is led by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and is a partnership of state and local organizations working to help Hoosiers of all ages succeed in school, complete college and connect to careers.

Several organizations including Purdue Extension Putnam County participate in Putnam County’s own College Success Coalition group locally.

The truth is there are many means of assistance and hard work with planning still pays rewards. Get started early and start now with www.CollegeGoWeekIndiana.org tools and planning.

Get started in kindergarten. Make the decision to go to school, do well in school, complete high school and complete some sort of post high school education.

Regardless of past, one can still make the correct decisions moving forward if one missed making the decision early.

Additionally, post high school education is not necessarily a four-year college degree at some distant location.

After making such decisions, it is important to have a plan. Plans of action will help one accomplish the goals that are set forth for educational commitments.

The website provides links to tools and resources to accomplish these tasks. Go visit this week to not only be eligible for prizes but to more importantly have a plan that will impact your destiny in life.

For those interested in attending Purdue University, campus is coming to our area via the Boiler Bridge program at 7 p.m. Oct. 18 in neighboring Clay County at the fairgrounds. It is part of a statewide series of community events hosted by Purdue Agriculture to help college-curious youth and parents learn more about all fields of study at Purdue University while showcasing local Purdue Extension programs.

Free and open to the public, Boiler Bridge events are intended to connect the Purdue University campus to communities throughout Indiana.

Purdue academic counselors will be available to answer questions concerning college costs, available scholarships, financial aid, campus life, career opportunities, placement resources and more. Youth interested in college and their parents can also gain specific details about different paths through junior high or high school that could serve as springboards to Purdue academic degrees.

Parents can also find out more about important application dates, campus housing options and Purdue dining. These experts will be able to answer questions about any field of study at Purdue University.

Additionally, it is certainly true 4-H plays a huge role in developing life skills in youth. Merely the workshop, competition and project experiences in 4-H provide hands on opportunities to learn and meet those who practice in various professions.

In fact one of our local 4-H projects is titled “Career Exploration” which youth may enroll in 2016-17. It will start with making decisions, preparing education plans while also incorporating development of job seeking skills towards the upper grade levels.

It is an exciting project option and the goal is for youth to obtain a job or position as a result of work in the project.

Visit our homepage at www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or you can contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming events

Sept. 20 - IEHA Leader Lesson, 6 p.m., Extension Office

Sept. 27 – Master Gardener Roundtable, Owen County Fairgrounds

Sept. 29 - Indiana Extension Homemakers Association Achievement Night, 7 p.m., Fairgrounds

Oct. 5 – Dining with Diabetes Workshop 1: What is Diabetes?, Putnam County Hospital

Oct. 18 – Boiler Bridge, 7 p.m., Clay County Fairgrounds (preregister)

Nov. 6 – Putnam 4-H Leader Recognition and Member Awards Program, 2 p.m., Fairgrounds

Nov. 13 – Putnam 4-H Launch (enrollment kickoff), 2-4 p.m., Fairgrounds