Career & College Planning Night February 6, 2019

Tonight’s Objectives Discuss Post-Secondary Planning Provide Resources for Career Exploration Test Preparation Resources Develop a plan that’s right for you!!

Career Planning

Naviance http://connection.naviance.com/ldauphin Career Planning Cluster Finder completed in Computer Apps classes Interest Inventory completed in Careers classes Complete the Personality Assessment as well ! Add career fields or clusters to your list as you go College Searching/Planning Start to organize college interests – SuperMatch search Scattergrams to compare GPA & Test Scores Start Student Bio Sheet Naviance will be used in senior year to manage applications, transcripts, and letters of recommendation so it’s a good idea to become familiar with this program!

Lower Dauphin Career Mission

63% - Attending 4 year college (173 students) Class of 2018 = 276 (91) (157) (27) 63% - Attending 4 year college (173 students) 20% - Attending 2 year college (55 students) 13% - Full time employment (37 students) 4% - Military (11 students)

Unskilled jobs are disappearing; demand for high skills is rising Comment on this is the 1:2:7 the reality of work force from Flemings video.   

Planning for your Future Consider career interests, your personality, your abilities and special skills Develop a list of careers to research Investigate the type of education and/or training required Web sites provided tonight and also search through association or organization for that career * for example, American Physical Therapy Association www.apta.org

If college is required… Research potential colleges that offer degree/training for major (Naviance and College Board) Decide on important college qualities size, location, setting, majors, cost… Look at admissions requirements – is it a good fit? Narrow down your choices Visit, visit, visit! Apply in fall of senior year

Pg 4 Training options & Why this is important Pg 5 Career planning resources Pg 6 The Pathways

CAREER PATHWAYS FINDING YOUR FUTURE NEST WHAT It is the desire of the Lower Dauphin School District to provide students with the resources and encouragement to choose a future pathway that is based on employment opportunities and student abilities, interests, and personality. The Career Pathways, organized and developed by state and federal workforce agencies, provide groupings of careers that share similar characteristics and whose employment requirements call for common interests, strengths and competencies. WHY Choosing a pathway helps a student to focus on classes that match career interests. A pathway can help student set goals, experiment with interesting subjects, and take courses that relate to future plans. When students leave our nest, we would like for them to have a direction to fly! HOW Students will research career fields and personal interests while in middle school so that in 9th grade, they are able to choose elective courses that are aligned with their plans or career goals.

Course Selection

Course Selection Counselors in classes last week to present options Course selection cards due this Friday, Feb 8th Please work together as a family to plan your course of study for next year Individual meetings with counselors this spring Challenge yourself! See website for the full Course Selection Guide and other details http://www.ldsd.org/Page/6560

SAT vs. ACT NOT A GREAT TEST-TAKER? Category New SAT ACT Testing time 3 hours +50 minute optional essay 2 hours and 55 minutes+ 40 minute optional essay Structure 3 tests+ optional essay 4 tests + optional essay # of questions 154 215 Score Range Composite 400-1600 SAT Essay: reported in 3 dimensions, each 2-8 Composite 1-36 (writing domain scores 2-12) Test Categories Reading, Math, Writing Reading, English, Math, Science NOT A GREAT TEST-TAKER? Check out: www.fairtest.org for a complete list of colleges that don’t require college entrance exams!

SAT Reasoning Test Juniors should take in March and/or again in June Sophomores can take this year if PSAT was strong and/or if currently in Algebra 2 Given at LD on March 9th and June 1st Must register online: www.collegeboard.org

One Question a Day, Zero Excuses SAT Practice LDHS SAT Prep classes (Fall and Winter) App – Daily Practice for the New SAT Daily Question Khan Academy One Question a Day, Zero Excuses Make practice part of your routine — any place, any time. Answer a question a day on the Daily Practice for the New SAT app and get immediate feedback. The free app makes it easy to: Answer reading, math, or writing question. Read answer explanations and learn from your mistakes. Keep at it — daily practice can only sharpen your skills. https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/practice/daily-practice-app

SAT Subject Tests Offered in history, math, science, languages **Check the College Board website for a list of subjects and colleges that require these tests The SAT Subject Tests offer you an additional opportunity to show colleges what you know and what you know you can do. Many colleges use the SAT Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Some colleges specify the SAT Subject Tests that they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take. Offered in history, math, science, languages Remaining test dates in January, May, June Take only if college requires scores Usually taken in fall of senior year

ACT American College Test Given at LD on April 13th (and December) Other dates (at HACC and Cumberland Valley HS) Test areas: English, Math, Science Reasoning, Reading with optional Writing test Register online at www.actstudent.org

Upcoming Test Dates: SAT – March 9 (deadline to register is Feb 8) SAT – June 1 (deadline to register is May 3) ACT – April 13 (deadline to register is March 8) Schools will take the best score for each test

Activity Resume Colleges want students who are well rounded and will be involved on campus Get involved in and out of school Be committed Aim for variety of interests Find unique experiences CAUTION… it’s about quality NOT quantity!

NCAA Clearinghouse Academic requirements: core courses, GPA, SAT scores for Div I and II See counselor for review Complete application at end of junior year Apply online: www.eligibilitycenter.org

By the end of Junior year Research potential careers (consider interests, personality, abilities, and special skills) If considering college make a list of qualities Take SAT/ACT at least once (if needed) Begin to narrow list of schools between 5 and 7 Be sure to visit ALL schools before applying

Fall of Senior Year… Finish any campus visits Take SAT/Subject Tests/ACT if needed Fill out applications in early fall Research scholarship/financial aid opportunities Fill out FAFSA starting October 1st

Website Resources… http://www.ldsd.org/Page/516 For more career planning go to... Naviance: http://connection.naviance.com/ldauphin PA Career Zone: www.pacareerzone.org Bureau of Labor Statistics: www.bls.gov Education Planner: www.educationplanner.org Military career planning: www.todaysmilitary.com

Counseling Office Tanya Dreon (12th) 566-5335 tdreon@ldsd.org Nate Espenshade (11th) 566-5336 nwespenshade@ldsd.org Lori Beaver (10th) 566-5337 lbeaver@ldsd.org Farren Schmidt (9th) 566-5347 fschmidt@ldsd.org Career/College Planning can be overwhelming, we encourage you to make an appointment with your child’s counselor. The summer is a great time to do this!