Most parents push teens toward college without considering alternatives, but education experts Rose Ybaben and Danielle Randall reveal why this approach is outdated—and what works better.
Key Insights:
- Why discovering what you DON'T want is just as valuable as finding your passion
- How to balance parent support with student autonomy when setting goals
- Why adulthood is filled with "do-overs" (and why that's a good thing)
Links & Resources:
- [CareerOneStop Self-Assessments](https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/self-assessments.aspx)
- [O*NET Interest Profiler](https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip)
- [BigFuture College & Career Planning](https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/)
- [Open Ed Academy Virtual High School](https://openedacademy.com/)
Chapters
(00:00) When Mailroom Misery Becomes Valuable Information
(03:57) The Ideal Timeline for Post-High School Planning
(07:12) Helping Teens Who Have No Idea What They Want
(11:34) The Surprising Value of Knowing What You Hate
(15:43) Hard Work vs. Wrong Path: How to Tell the Difference
(19:27) Breaking the Helicopter Parent Cycle
(24:38) The $200,000 College Debt Trap
(31:08) Adulthood: The Ultimate Series of Do-Overs
(35:16) Beyond Career: Finding Your Impact
(40:02) Final Advice: Goals Are Steps, Not Endpoints
About Our Guests
Rose Ybaben has 15 years of experience working with students of all ages, most recently as a high school counselor. She specializes in helping families navigate the post-high school transition process.
Danielle Randall has 12 years of teaching experience across public, charter, and private school settings. She now supports students pursuing state-certified diplomas at Open Ed.
Join the Conversation
How did you approach post-high school planning?
What alternative paths have worked for your family?
Share your experiences in the comments below.
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