CAREERS: Planning for the future while in high school 9 th - 12 th grade parents & students Mrs. Paula Haugle, M.S. School Counselor, PreK-12 Elmwood School District or

Agenda  Career Preparation in High School  Post High School Options  College search & application process  UW – Stout and CVTC Representatives

The Importance of Planning  Involve your parents  Stay organized  Explore your possibilities  Check in with Mrs. Haugle for help and to notify her of your future plans

What can be done now to prepare for life after high school?  Always do your best  Be responsible  Get involved!  Extra-curricular activities  Volunteer work/community service  Leadership positions  What is going to set you apart?

Earning College Credits while in High School  Youth Options Program  Take classes from a university or technical college while in high school  Earn both high school and college credit  The classes must go above and beyond Elmwood’s curriculum  Must be approved by the school board by: March 1 for a fall semester class October 1 for a spring semester class

Earning College Credits while in High School  Articulation Agreements  Take a class at Elmwood High School  Earn both high school and college credit  Redeem your college credits when you attend that institution after high school  Current Agreements:  Intro to Soils, CVTC  Proposed Agreements:  Child Development, CVTC

Earning College Credits while in High School  Youth Apprenticeships  Gain recognition from state of WI for working part time  Earn technical college credit  1 or 2 year programs  Can begin your junior year  See Mrs. Haugle to sign up

Youth Apprenticeship Program Areas  Auto Collision  Auto Technology  Biotechnology  Drafting and Design (Architecture, Engineering, or Mechanical Design)  Finance  Graphic Arts – Printing  Health Services  Hospitality, Lodging, & Tourism  Information Technology (Computer Science or Networking)  Industrial Equipment  Insurance  Logistics (Freight)  Manufacturing  Production Agriculture (Animal or Soils & Crops)  Welding

Elmwood High School Graduation Requirements  26 Credits are required to graduate and must include a minimum of the following:  4 credits of English  3 credits of Social Studies  2 credits of Mathematics  2 credits of Science  1 ½ credits of Physical Education  ½ credit of Health

Elmwood High School Graduation Requirements – Cont’d  Each student must take seven subjects each semester (passing seven is the requirement for participation in athletics and other activities).  A total of eight semesters in attendance is required for graduation.

Common University Admission Requirements  4 credits of English  3 credits of Social Studies  3 credits of Mathematics  3 credits of Science  4 credits of Electives  2 credits of a Foreign Language

Comparing Requirements  4 credits of English  3 credits of Social Studies  3 credits of Mathematics  3 credits of Science  4 credits of Electives  2 credits of a Foreign Language  4 credits of English  3 credits of Social Studies  2 credits of Mathematics  2 credits of Science  1 ½ credits of Physical Education  ½ credit of Health  13 addt’l credits UniversityElmwood

Ideas for Career Searching  Think about what you like (& don’t like) to do  Talk to your parents  Check online resources  Make lists  Talk to Mrs. Haugle  Talk to people you know to see what they do  Complete job shadows  It takes time and effort to truly figure it out!

WISCareers  Take inventories to give you career ideas  Search for careers, colleges, and majors  Save your searches in your portfolio to reference later

 The first time you login: Code esd-c381  If you forget your login information, do not create a new account – see Mrs. Haugle for login information WISCareers

1, 2, 3, Career Planning Step 1:  Take a realistic look at your strengths, weaknesses, and interests. Source:

Take a realistic look at your strengths, weaknesses, and interests.  What do you think about yourself?  What can help you achieve your goals, and what obstacles could get in your way?  What types of work, school courses, and activities do you like? What interests you?  What do you do well now, and what skills have you gained through experience? Source:

1, 2, 3, Career Planning Step 2:  Explore your options. Source:

Explore Your Options – Become aware of your possibilities!  Utilize WISCareers and other exploration tools  Spend time with people whose activities interest you  Volunteer, shadow, or work in a job that interests you  Discuss and share your career plans with others Source:

1, 2, 3, Career Planning Step 3:  Consider the issues and take action to reach your goals. Source:

Consider the Issues and Take Action  What do you need to study?  What schools offer the training you need?  How will you pay for school?  Are you ready to search for a job?  How will you balance work and school?  How will you manage family commitments? Source:

Post High School Options  University  Community College  Technical College  Apprenticeship  Military Service  Work Force Source:

Post High School Options - University  Bachelor of Arts  Bachelor of Science  4-5 years to complete  Public and Private  U.S. and abroad  Focused on well-rounded education Source:

Post High School Options – Community College  Associate Degree  Transfer to a University  One semester – 2 years  Can ease transition to college  Credits usually cost less  Make sure ahead of time that credits will transfer (uwhelp.wisconsin.edu) Source:

Post High School Options – Technical College  Associate Degree (usu. 2 years)  Diploma (usu. 1-2 years)  Certificate (usu. 6 months – 1 year)  Transfer to a University  Generally more hands-on  Focused on a specific career – can be fast paced Source:

Post High School Options – Apprenticeship  Formalized training for highly skilled trade workers such as electricians, carpenters, and plumbers  Combination of on the job training and classroom training, usually facilitated by unions, employers, technical schools, and government agencies  See Mrs. Haugle for details if you’re interested in this option Source:

Post High School Options – U.S. Military Service  Army  Navy  Air Force  Marine Corps  Coast Guard  National Guard Source:

Post High School Options – Work Force  Earnings potential – now vs. later  Job search process  Finding available jobs  Applying for jobs – application, resume, cover letter  Interviewing for jobs  On the job training  Work ethic & skills Source:

Why Go to College? Learn More, Earn More Source: UW River Falls & US Census Bureau (amounts are in millions of 2006 dollars)

Why Go to College? - Demand  For more information on the outlook for specific careers, visit the WISCareers website. Jobs that require degrees beyond high school Jobs that don’t require degrees beyond high school Growing Shrinking

College Search – Getting Started  Attend College Fairs  Have an idea of possible majors  Gather information from:  Your school counselor  School websites  School handouts and catalogs  Speak to representatives that visit EHS  Visit Campuses

Colleges: Public vs. Private  Public schools receive funding from the government, private schools do not  Cost  Size  Reputation  Philosophy  Bottom Line: Personal Preference

Common University Admissions Requirements  Rigorous Core Classes  Advanced Math, English, Social Science, and Science.  Avoid the “senior slump.” Just because graduation requirements are met, don’t stop working hard – colleges look at that!  ACT/SAT Scores  GPA  Class Rank

College Admissions, Cont’d  There is high demand for STEM related majors: Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.  Fee waivers – if you qualify for the free or reduced lunch program, let me know when you apply and I’ll send a confidential letter to have your application fee waived.

ACT and SAT  College entrance exams  ACT most common in Midwest  Very few schools do not accept ACT  SAT is more common among East Coast and Ivy League schools  ACT assesses what you know (content)  SAT assesses how you think (reason)

Preparing for the ACT and SAT  EXPLORE (8 th grade) and PLAN (10 th grade)  PSAT/NMSQT (11 th grade)  ACT practice booklet  Online prep:  Books (some are available in the Guidance Office)  Caution: If you are going to purchase any preparation materials, only do so through ACT or SAT (Collegeboard).

Registering for the ACT and SAT ACT  Register at or with a packet available in the Guidance Office.  Choose writing option or not. SAT  Register online at Elmwood’s school code is:

ACT and SAT Test Dates September 12, 2009 October 24, 2009 December 12, 2009 February 6, 2010 April 10, 2010 June 12, 2010 October 10, 2009 November 7, 2009 December 5, 2009 January 23, 2010 March 13, 2010 May 1, 2010 June 5, 2010 ACTSAT

ACT Exams  Desired Scores  ACT score should be at least  ACT scores usually have more bearing than GPA  Leave time to take twice in Junior year  Don’t wait until Senior year to take it the first time!  ACT/SAT Scores are typically not required for 2 year institutions  Note: if SAT scores are required for the school you’re interested in, check on their specific requirements.

College Application Process  Check the specific requirements of the school you’re applying to.  Deadlines for applications  Priority consideration deadlines are usually November 1 for the following fall admissions  Requirements for applications  Complete application, transcripts, essay, ACT/SAT scores, application fee, letters of recommendation  Note: if you didn’t automatically send ACT scores to the college you’re applying to, you have to login to and pay an additional fee to have them sent to the college

Tips for Filling out Applications  Use pen & write legibly  Don’t scribble out mistakes  Check spelling and grammar  Don’t forget to sign it  Let Mrs. Haugle know to send transcripts  Make sure all appropriate letters are capitalized  Check spelling and grammar  Follow checkists  Print the counselor form and give to Mrs. Haugle Paper ApplicationsOnline Applications Have someone proofread your application!

Essay Writing Tips  Colleges use your essays to evaluate your writing skills - use your best writing skills!  Write about something that sets you apart and that you’re passionate about (activities, leadership, volunteerism, or a hardship you’ve overcome).  With college admissions becoming more and more competitive, you need to stand out – show them how you are unique!

Summary  Career Preparation in High School  Post High School Options  College search & application process  UW – Stout and CVTC Representatives

UW-STOUT REPRESENTATIVE Melissa Perez

CHIPPEWA VALLEY TECHNICAL COLLEGE (CVTC) REPRESENTATIVE Gayle Ostermann

QUESTIONS?