Get Ready,Class of 2016!

Junior Career Unit – December 2014

- Senior Year and Post High School Planning

- LHS Graduates Panel

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J_MdIX2q_jw

What are your plans for after graduation?

Think about your options now, if you haven’t already!

- College

- Community College

- Technical School

- Military

- Apprenticeship Program

- Full-time Employment

If you plan to attend a 4-year college directly after high school, you should:

• Register for the SAT/ACT for a test in the spring! www.actstudent.org www.collegeboard.com

• Attend college recruiter campus visits at LHS.

• Identify and research 4-5 colleges/universities.

• Plan fall visits to campuses (ex.“WSU Future

Cougar Day” and tours of UW).

• Register for a rigorous senior schedule!

If you plan to attend a 4-year college directly after high school, you should:

• Visit a college fair (National College Fair or CC events).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNbnEZW4zQo (Click this link)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNbnEZW4zQo (Click this link)

• Volunteer! Community service is expected by colleges.

(Pre-Approval Forms for credit through Ms. Keese)

• Get applications started early. (UW-Seattle deadline is

Dec 1!)

• Start on essays early---often these are the difference!

• If you need recommendations, give writer two weeks.

Community College or Technical College

These schools provide you options:

• Vocational/Technical Training for a certificate in 2 years or

less.

• At a community college, you can complete a transfer

degree to a 4-year university.

Check Out a College.com – Career and training information

www.checkoutacollege.com

A word of caution….

• Credit from some great private schools does not

transfer to another college or school.

• Always ask the question if you are not sure. Some

students have gotten surprised in the past.

• ITT, Everest College, PIMA, are some examples.

Military3 Options:

Enlistment: Direct sign up with the branch of the military you want and entry into the service right away. You start with basic training, followed by training for a specific job.

ROTC (Reserve Officer Training Corps): You apply for a military-sponsored college scholarship; join the military; and attend a 4-year university that has this program. You have the college experience with limited military commitment. After graduation from college, there is a multi-year commitment to the military. Graduates enter active service as an officer (which has better pay and benefits) plus a college degree the military paid for.

Military Academy: Elite military universities that are very competitive to get into. It differs from ROTC in that you are a military cadet, following a strict military-based college curriculum.

Options Other Than College:Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and related instruction in which workers learn a highly skilled occupation, earning money at the same time.

~ Electrician~ Machinist~ Welder~ Automotive Technician~ Construction Worker~ Carpenter~Diesel Engine Technician~ Boat Builder~ And many more occupations!

http://www.lni.wa.gov/tradeslicensing/apprenticeship/become/

Options Other Than College:AmeriCorps

http://www.americorps.gov

• AmeriCorps is a national service program that allows people of all ages to earn money for college in return for a year of community service. Examples of projects include:• Tutoring and mentoring youth and running after school programs• Building affordable housing• Teaching computer skills• Cleaning parks and streams• Helping communities respond to disasters

• For more information, contact the school you are interested and/or AmeriCorps (you can also contact City Corps, a similar program)

• Benefits include: Education Award of $4,725 for a year of full-time service, a living allowance, health care benefits, and child care.

• Eligibility: Must be 17 years old, US Citizen, high school diploma or equivalent.

Options Other Than College:Direct Employment

• It’s tough out there!• Create a good resume.• Senior year work habits and attendance.• Research!• Network, network, network.• Have a realistic budget plan.

Think about expenses…

Scholarships

• Not just for “superstar” students • Solid academics• Community service• Special skills (essay writing)

• Talk to Ms. Keese in the Career Center

• Check out the Career Center Web Page

• Use online resources:• Schoolsoup.com• Fastweb.com• theWashBoard.org

• Do the FAFSA asap after January 1, 2016.

What can you do now?• Push yourself junior and senior year.

• If a program interests you, look into it.

• Job Shadow, intern, or volunteer to explore a

career of interest.

• Research careers, colleges, and training

programs.

• Use the summer to visit colleges and do online

research.

Important Dates• College Planning Night:

• February 10, 2015 at Meadowdale HS at 7PM• This is probably the number one event to attend if you

are considering applying to a two or four year college.• The information that will be available is vital to have prior to

the end of junior year!• In previous years, topics have included:

• Financing a College Education• College Athletics and the NCAA• Applying to Universities in WA State• Advising the Artistically Talented Student• Opportunities at WA Community Colleges• and many more!

• Be sure to put this event on your calendar and GO!

Important Dates (cont.)

• Sign up for SAT or ACT• SAT May 2 exam – deadline April 6• SAT June 6 exam – deadline May 8• ACT April 18 exam – deadline March 13• ACT June 13 exam – deadline May 8

• Senior College Planning Night• LHS – late September-early October 2015

• Financial Aid Night• LHS – early January 2016

• FAFSA application submission• ASAP after January 1, 2016

LHS Graduates Panel