CAREERS, COLLEGE AND CASH: INSTRUCTIONS
 This activity is designed to introduce students and families to the basics of exploring
career options, college majors and programs, and how to pay for tuition and other costs.
o Print worksheets (pages 2-3) for each participant (for very young students, you
might want to pair with an older student or parent).
o Print/copy money (page 4) as needed for the game (add your school logo!)
o Print one set of career skill set posters (pages 5-10) with sample careers (feel free
to edit as needed).
o Print one set of college cost posters (pages 11-21; feel free to edit as needed:
examples are provided for 4-year universities, 2-year community colleges, and
technical/trade schools.)
 Set up three rooms or three areas for careers, colleges, and cash. Students follow
instructions on the worksheet, first choosing a career that interests them, then a college
that matches the career skill set and level of degree that they need. Finally, they get
“paid” based on how they answer the questions about college preparation. Then they
can determine the actual cost of college (as opposed to sticker price) and what they
need to do to get there.
o You can also add games to this activity, by having students have to compete in an
easy challenge to determine the answers to the questions (e.g. students try to hit
a golf ball in a cup; the number of strokes it takes will be the answer to a question
about GPA in high school. Thus, 1-2 strokes would equal a 3.0-4.0 GPA, 3-4
strokes would be a 2.0-3.0 GPA, etc.)
 Adapted from materials shared by Lost River Junior/Senior High School.
CAREERS, COLLEGE AND CASH
What do I want to be when I grow up?

List your career goal – what job do you want to do after high school?
o __________________________________________________________________________

What career skill set is it in?
o __________________________________________________________________________

What kind of degree do you need?
o __________________________________________________________________________

What education do I need?

Select two schools that focus on the job you want. Make sure you match
o ___________________________________________
It costs $ ___________.
o ___________________________________________
It costs $ ___________.

What can I do to prepare? How will I pay for college?

Rotate around the room to each station, answer questions and get paid!
1. Getting good grades is important to get into college and get scholarships.
3.0 to 4.0 (A+B) $2,000
How much did you get?
2.0 to 3.0 (B+C) $1,000
1.0 to 2.0 (C+D) $500
$ ___________
Any F’s
$0.00
2. Attendance is important in high school and college classes.
0-2 days absent
$2,000
How much did you get?
3-4 days absent
$1,000
5-7 days absent
$500
$ ___________
8+ days absent
$0.00
3. Responsible students finish and turn in homework.
0-1 missing assignments
$2,000
2-3 missing assignments $1,000
4-5 missing assignments $500
6+ missing assignments $0
How much did you get?
$ ___________
4. Smart students start saving money for college as soon as possible:
In elementary school
$2,000
How much did you get?
In middle school
$1,000
In high school
$500
$ ___________
Didn’t save
$0.00
5. Participate in extra activities or groups like school programs, sports, 4-H, church, summer school, or
community activities to get scholarships and explore interests.
4-5 activities
$2,000
How much did you get?
2-3 activities
$1,000
1 activity
$500
$ ___________
0 activities
$0.00
6. The federal Pell Grant gives money for college to students who qualify for:
Free Lunch
$5,500
How much did you get?
Reduced Lunch
$2,500
Do not qualify
$0.00
$ ___________

ADD UP YOUR TOTAL!
1. Total cost of school
$ ___________
2. Total of all scholarships, savings and financial aid
$ ___________
Subtract line 2 from line 1
NEW TOTAL
$ ___________
FINAL TOTAL $ ___________
The final total is the amount you have to pay for college or the amount you have left over for personal
expenses, like a laptop to do homework. There are many other federal and state grant and loan
programs that can help you pay for college, too!

What are two things you can do now to start preparing for college and the career you want?
1.______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
2.______________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
$2,000
$2,000
Your
school logo
here
$2,000
$2,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$1,000
$500
$500
$500
$500
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Do you like being outside?
Are you passionate about
the environment and taking
care of our forests, oceans,
rivers, wildlife and animals?
Degree + #Years of College
Ph.D., Masters or Professional
(More than 4 years)
Bachelor’s (4 years)
Associate’s (2 years)
Training/Certificate (1-2 years)
Careers
 Veterinarian
 Marine Biologist
 Zoologist
 Forester
 Environmental Scientist
 Food Scientist
 Science Technician
 Fish & Wildlife Technician
 Equipment Mechanic
 Logger
 Farmer or Rancher
Relates to the environment, food and natural resources: such as agriculture (including food systems), earth
sciences, environmental sciences, fisheries management, forestry, horticulture, water resources, wildlife
management and urban environmental management. Information from ODE.
Arts, Information and Communications
Are you a creative person?
Do you like to write, act,
draw, or sing? Do you like
computers and want to learn
about how to create
websites, programs or
animations?
Degree + #Years of College
Careers
Ph.D., Masters or Professional  Choreographer
(More than 4 years)
 Art Director



Associate’s (2 years)


Training/Certificate (1-2 years) 

Bachelor’s (4 years)
Computer Engineer
Graphic Designer
Fashion Designer
Cartoonist
Web Developer
Photographer
Video Game Tester
Includes a wide range of career clusters that involve the creation or transmission of information through the
manipulation of a symbolic language. There is an emphasis on process and the concepts of creativity, integrity
and aesthetic awareness. Information from ODE.
Business and Management
Do you want to own your own
business? Do you like numbers
and dealing with money? Do you
want to work for a hotel or
company that handles tourism?
Do you want to promote or sell
items or ideas?
Degree + #Years of College
Careers
Ph.D., Masters or Professional  Budget Analyst
(More than 4 years)
 Marketing Manager
 Accountant
 Meeting and Convention
Planners
 Public Relations Specialist
Associate’s (2 years)
 Restaurant Manager
 Tax Examiner
Training/Certificate (1-2 years)  Hotel Manager
 Insurance Adjustor
Bachelor’s (4 years)
Focuses on the business and entrepreneurial needs of Oregon's students as they prepare to enter and succeed in
the world of business. Studies in Business and Management focus on the commonalities among most businesses,
including concepts like personnel management, marketing, planning, finance, and resource. Information from
ODE.
Health Sciences
Do you like helping people
who are sick? Do you want
to help people live healthier
lives through exercise,
therapy or nutrition?
Degree + #Years of College
Careers
Ph.D., Masters or Professional  Doctor
(More than 4 years)
 Pharmacist
 Dentist
 Psychologist
 Physical Therapist
Bachelor’s (4 years)
 Athletic Trainer
 Dietitian
Associate’s (2 years)
 Registered Nurse
 Surgical Technician
Training/Certificate (1-2 years)  Dental Assistant
 Massage Therapist
Relates to the promotion of health as well as the treatment of injuries, conditions and disease. These may
include, but need not be limited to, preventative health care, medicine, dentistry, nursing, therapy and
rehabilitation, nutrition, fitness, stress management and hygiene. Information from ODE.
Human Resources
Do you like helping people?
Do you want to work with
students, families, or
communities? Do you want
to help keep people safe?
Degree + #Years of College
Careers
Ph.D., Masters or Professional  Teacher
(More than 4 years)
 Librarian
 College Professor
 Lawyer
Bachelor’s (4 years)
 Detective
 Secret Service Agent
 Social Worker
Associate’s (2 years)
 Police Officer
 Social and Human Services
Assistant
Training/Certificate (1-2 years)  Teacher Aide
 Firefighter
Includes a wide range of career clusters that weave together work in the areas that focus on people: their
needs, their growth and development, and their safety and well being. Information from ODE.
Industrial and Engineering Systems
Do you like working with your
hands? Do you want to help
design, build, or repair
buildings, roads, cars, or other
forms of transportation?
Degree + #Years of College
Careers
Ph.D., Masters or Professional  Nuclear Engineer
(More than 4 years)
 Electrical Engineer



Associate’s (2 years)



Training/Certificate (1-2 years) 

Bachelor’s (4 years)
Civil Engineer
Architect
Cartographer
Aircraft Mechanic
Wind Turbine Technician
Drafters
Auto Mechanic
Electrician
Relates to the technologies used to design, develop, install, operate, maintain and upgrade physical systems.
These include, but are not limited to, engineering and related design technologies, mechanical systems,
manufacturing technologies, precision production, construction, electrical systems and electronics and
information. Information from ODE.
Chemeketa Community College
Main Campus Located in
Salem, Oregon
CERTIFICATES AND ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE (2 YEAR):
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Health Sciences
Human Resources
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$3,660
$1,350
$5,250
$600
$2,250
$13,110
Oregon State
University
Main Campus Located in
Corvallis, Oregon
BACHELOR’S DEGREE (4 YEAR) & MASTERS, PH.D.,
PROFESSIONAL DEGREES (MORE THAN 4 YEARS):
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Health Sciences
Human Resources
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$7,116
$1,764
$9,168
$2,574
$20,622
Klamath
Community
College
Main Campus Located in
Klamath Falls, Oregon
CERTIFICATES AND ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE (2 YEAR):
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Health Sciences
Human Resources
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$3,615
$1,140
$6,786
$2,700
$
$14,241
Lane
Community
College
Main Campus located in
Eugene, Oregon
CERTIFICATES AND ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE (2 YEAR):
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Health Sciences
Human Resources
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$4,215
$1,200
$6,921
$1,593
$720
$14,649
Linn-Benton
Community
College
Main Campus Located in
Albany, Oregon
CERTIFICATES AND ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE (2 YEAR):
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Health Sciences
Human Resources
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$3,465
$1,500
$6,867
$1,290
$1,410
$14,532
Oregon Health &
Science University
Main Campus Located in
Portland, Oregon
MASTERS, PH.D., PROFESSIONAL DEGREES
(MORE THAN 4 YEARS):
Health Sciences
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$18,993
$1,350
$10,314
$1,260
$2,250
$34,167
Oregon Institute of Technology
Main Campus Located in
Klamath Falls, Oregon
BACHELOR’S DEGREE (4 YEAR):
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Health Sciences
Industrial & Engineering Systems
MASTERS DEGREES (MORE THAN 4 YEARS):
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$7,260
$1,100
$8,600
$1,000
$1,500
$19,460
Southern Oregon
University
Main Campus
Located in
Ashland, Oregon
BACHELOR’S DEGREE (4 YEAR) & MASTERS, PH.D.,
PROFESSIONAL DEGREES (MORE THAN 4 YEARS):
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Human Resources
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
$6,729
$1,350
$8,508
$3,750
Total $20,337
University
of Oregon
Main Campus Located in
Eugene, Oregon
BACHELOR’S DEGREE (4 YEAR) & MASTERS, PH.D.,
PROFESSIONAL DEGREES (MORE THAN 4 YEARS):
Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
Arts, Information and Communications
Business and Management
Health Sciences
Human Resources
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget (Based on 15 credit hours per term)
Tuition and Fees
Books and Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
Transportation
Total
$8,190
$1,050
$9,144
$2,412
$20,796
WYOTECH
Moving Into the Future
WyoTech has six campuses across
the United States. Each campus
consists of classrooms, laboratory
facilities, and work areas.
CERTIFICATES:
Industrial & Engineering Systems
Standard Budget Automotive Technology
(Depends on Campus & housing)
Tuition and Fees
Books and
Supplies
Room and Board
Personal Expenses
&Transportation
Total
$16,099-$27,500
Up to $750
$7,047-$16,920
$3,249-$6,000
$27,500-$39,019
College of
Cosmetology
Educate and Create
Campus Located in
Klamath Falls, Oregon
CERTIFICATES:
Human Resources
How much does Cosmetology school cost?
Oregon Cosmetology schools with Cosmetology
programs can cost between $13,000 and $25,000 or
higher, depending on the area. The College of
Cosmetology has a course cost range of between
$4,204 and a little under $16,000 depending on the
courses you take.
Tuition and Fees
Total
$4,204-$16,000
up to
$16,000