NHS College Decisions

Around this time of the year you’ve probably heard one or two people ask you the notorious question, “Where are you going to college?” or “What do you plan to do with the rest of your life?” Even for juniors or other underclassmen, everyone hears this at some point, be it from family, teachers, or even some sort of project. 

Sure, it’s fun to draw yourself being a superhero back when we were in elementary school, but the question becomes more repetitive as you get older.Just in case you haven’t been asked enough, The NHS Hawkeye made a google form for you to fill out about it too! 

When asked about what form of education NHS students would pursue after college, 90% said college, and the other 10% said a type of trade or military school. 

Students also answered questions about their future after their education.. When asked about where they want to live after college, over 60% said within New England, and a majority of these people want to stay within Connecticut. About 30% of people who took the survey wish to live in another country. 

The majority of these choices were influenced by either being in close proximity to family, or due to their aspired occupation. One student wants to study marine biology and said they want to live in Florida on the coast in order to have the best opportunities available.

“I hope to get my B.S. in Animal Sciences at the University of Florida. Following the completion of my degree, I hope to attend veterinary school, my dream veterinary programs being the ones at Tufts University and University of Georgia,” NHS Senior Gabby DeNicola said. “If I don’t get into vet school the first time around, I want to audition for Broadway, off-Broadway, and tour productions just for fun during my gap year, and continue my veterinary extracurriculars.”

When asked about what type of job they want to pursue, 30% of students said they want to work in some sort of healthcare. Other less popular percentages were for science, corporate, or undecided. About 45% of students would like to work remotely or hybrid, and the other 55% want to work on site. 

When asked to identify the primary factors driving their career choices, 72% of surveyed students cited passion or personal experience as key motivators. Furthermore, over 50% indicated that their family upbringing influenced their decision, while 18% noted that potential income played a role.

Students were also asked if and how they would like to travel. Everyone who took the survey said they would like to travel at some point. 64% want to travel before they settle down for a family or occupation, while the other 36% want to travel through their occupation. 

The survey also asked which age range students would like to ideally settle down. 18% of students said they would like to settle down within 20-25 years old, 36% percent would like to settle down by 30-35 years old, and 46% said they would like to settle down by 25-30 years old. 

NHS Senior Nichole Tabor plans to attend the United States Air Force Academy (USAFA) to become an officer in the Air Force while also earning her double major in Aerospace Engineering and Mechanical Engineering. Additionally, she will also earn a minor in Robotics. 

“I knew from a young age that a desk job or sitting in a cubicle would never satisfy me and would eventually leave me feeling unfulfilled,” Tabor said. “When I was little, I went to a Blue Angels flight show with my father and every lego set after that had either a helicopter or some other form of aircraft in it. When I got to high school, I had the opportunity to fly my uncle’s Cessna and that sealed the deal for me.”

Newtown High School students have a variety of different pathways of life to pursue, and NHS wishes you all the best of luck!