Put your Best Foot Forward: How can I be a strong candidate for college and career? Chicago Champions College and Career Week October 7-15,

Personal Characteristics: Discuss with a Neighbor What personal qualities and characteristics make a great student or great employee? 2

Sample Personal Characteristics Passion Determination Can set a goal & follow through Hard Work Open to new experiences and others’ opinions COMMITMENT Enjoys learning and trying new things C reativity 3

Challenge Yourself What qualities would you like a teacher or counselors to share about you? (Select your top 5) Of these top 5, where are you strongest? Where are you weakest? – What can you do to continue growing in your strengths? – What can you do to improve on your weakness? 4

Experiences & Achievements: Discuss with a Neighbor What experiences and achievements make a great student or great employee? 5

Sample Experiences & Achievements Meets and exceeds all graduation requirements (e.g. 4 yrs English, 3+ yrs math, 2+ yrs foreign language) Challenging and Rigorous Classes High GPA (that improved over time) High test scores (ACT, SAT, AP) Specialized Training (e.g. CNA certification) Leadership Special Talents (e.g. speaks many languages, music) Extracurricular Activities (e.g. sports, community service) Most important Important Note: The importance of certain experiences and credentials varies by school and employer. Talk to your counselor, coach or school or employer representatives for more information on what is most important to them. 6

Challenge Yourself Which achievements and experiences make you most proud? How can you continue to grow in these areas? Where would you like to improve the most? What steps could you take to improve? 7

Colleges and Employers want the same qualities and skills in candidates. They also use similar information to evaluate you. Care with which you filled out the application (e.g. no mistakes) Academic Record: courses taken, grades earned Work and Volunteer History Recommendation letters Interview (if applicable) Personal Statement & Essays College ApplicationJob Application Care with which you filled out the application (e.g. no mistakes) Academic Record: courses taken, grades earned Work and Volunteer History References Interview 8

Planning: Discuss Do you have a plan for after high school? If so, what is it? What are you doing this month to help you on your post-high school plan? 9

Individual Learning Plan What is it? – A plan and process that helps you set goals, based on personal, academic and career interests – The plan may change and develop over time as you learn more about yourself and options after high school – Discuss it with parents, counselors, teachers and coaches! Why is it important? 74% of CPS students with a concrete plan enroll in college, which is 20% higher than the CPS average Where can I find it? – What’s Next Illinois.org Source: SEQ, Class of

As you go through your high school career, you will focus on different aspects of your ILP Freshman Set goals Identify career interests and back mapping academic requirements Utilize Course Plan Builder Sophomore Utilize College and Career Planner Utilize Resume Builder Take the Personality and Learning Style Assessment Junior Complete test preparation Research college choices Conduct a Scholarship Search Senior Apply to college or for a job Apply for scholarships and financial aid (FAFSA) Decide on final post secondary plan 11

Challenge Yourself Visit WhatsNextIllinois.org and ChooseYourFuture.org for information on college and career planning Complete an Individual Learning Plan and discuss with a trusted adult 12

“Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life... Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.” -Steve Jobs, co-founder of Apple, 2005 “Understand that the right to choose your own path is a sacred privilege. Use it. Dwell in possibility. ” -Oprah Winfrey 13 “It is better to look ahead and prepare than to look back and regret.” -Jackie Joyner-Kersee, Olympic Athlete

Thank You Thanks to the following people for providing information for this presentation: Rhonda Bell, Pathways to College and Career Marcia Boyd, Pathways to College and Career Lahari Goud, Pathways to College and Career Barbara Karpouzian, Pathways to College and Career Patrick Milton, Pathways to College and Career Samuel Peterson, Amundsen HS Eileen Rudden, Office of College and Career Preparation Patrick Tassoni, Northside College Prep Kevin Van Zee, Pathways to College and Career Paul Welsh, Lindblom College Prep Eric Williams, Pathways to College and Career University of Wisconsin Admissions Representative ChooseYourFuture contributors And others (please if your name should be 14 Note: Please Erin at if your name should be listed on this thank you page. I’m sorry I left it If you have additional information to add, please Erin as well.