1. Sophomore Career & College Seminar

2. Planning for your life after Pathfinder:
Today’s Objective
Planning for your life after Pathfinder:
Careers
College
Military

3. Jobs and the Labor Market
Have you heard that you can only get a “good” job if you go to a 4 year college?
How about that if you don’t go to college, you’ll get a “bad” job?
So, what makes a job good—or even great?!
Salary, happiness, co-workers, environment, benefits

4. 3 Segments of the Labor Market:
1. On the job
Most of your training happens on the job site
Short-term or long-term training—few days to years
2. Technical
Require specialized training
Usually obtained through 1 year certificate or 2 year associate degree
3. Professional
Require a 4 year bachelors degree (or higher)
 Can a “good” job exist in each category???

6. ~ VIDEO ~ Success in the new economy

7. Co-Op Work Program Overview with Mrs. Nugent
Gives you the chance to work instead of come into school on shop week
Make money, get on the job experience—must be an educational placement
Looks great on resume, as well as opens up an opportunity to potentially become hired full time after graduation
Can start halfway through Junior year and continue into Senior year—summer also
Requirements:
Grade of 77 in Shop and Related
C average in all other classes, no F’s
No major discipline/attendance issues

8. Degree Levels Type of Program Length of Program CERTIFICATE 1 year
Type of Program Length of Program
CERTIFICATE year
(A program of specific courses, not a complete college degree)
ASSOCIATE’S DEGREE years
BACHELOR’S DEGREE years

9. Let’s see what you know! Give us some examples
Technical Training Schools:
Community Colleges:
4 Year Public Colleges:
2 or 4 Year Private Colleges:

11. Admissions Requirements
The Community College System
STCC, HCC, QCC, Greenfield, Mount Wachusett, etc.
» Open Enrollment; No G.P.A. requirement
» Specific coursework and SAT/ACT not required for general admission (some majors have specific requirements – health, engineering, etc)
The State University System
UMASSes, Westfield State, Worcester, Salem, Fitchburg, Framingham, MCLA, etc
» SAT/ACT Scores & G.P.A. of 2. 0 or better is required
» 4 yrs. English
» 4 yrs. College Prep Math
» 3 yrs. Science (all must be lab sciences)
» 2 yrs. Social Science
» 2 yrs. Foreign Language (students from voc high schools may be
eligible if they’ve completed only 1 foreign language)
» 2 yrs. Electives (voc tech courses may be used to fill electives)

12. Admissions Requirements
Private Colleges/Universities
Western New England University, Bay Path, WPI, Johnson & Wales, AIC, Elms, Springfield College, etc.
» GPA and SAT/ACT requirements vary at each college
» Specific coursework usually required
(often very similar to the “State” course requirements)
» There may be some flexibility with requirements check
with the schools website for details

13. **Info meeting April 9th**
STCC College Now!
Up to 1 FREE college course at STCC each semester
Starts the summer before your junior year
Maximum of 8 courses by graduation
On-campus classes only (no online)
Must have GPA of 2.0 or higher (HS & College Courses)
Must purchase books & materials required for course
We will approve any course
Pre-reqs or placement tests may apply
**Info meeting April 9th**
Sign up before you leave if you’re interested in attending!

14. Choices, Choices, Choices…
There are thousands of careers & colleges that are available to you!
Find your match by…
Attending local college fairs to gather lots of info quickly
Visit college campuses that you’re interested in before senior year, preferably when classes are in session
Contact admissions office to schedule a tour or ask questions
Utilize websites to research careers and majors, identify schools, find out about financial aid and so much more…
Collegeboard.org
Careercruising.com
Communicate! with your counselors, teachers, shop instructors and family

15. So What’s Important? Grades! Testing! Attendance/Discipline!
You don’t have much to present to employers or colleges.
Testing!
MCAS – this year
Need to pass for your diploma
John & Abigail Adams Scholarship for high MCAS scores
PSAT – Fall of Junior year
Practice exam for the SAT, held on a Wednesday in October
SAT/ACT – End of Junior year/Early Senior year
Most 4 year colleges (and a few 2 year programs) require scores
ACT vs. SAT – both tests include Math & English; ACT also includes Science
Attendance/Discipline!

16. Look for Recruiters at Lunch!
Military Options
Army
Army Reserve
Army National Guard
Air Force
Air Force Reserve
Air National Guard
Coast Guard
Coast Guard Reserve
Marines
Marine Corps Reserve
Navy
Navy Reserve
Look for Recruiters at Lunch!

17. What is the ASVAB? Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery
Offered Winter of your 11th/12th Grade Years
8 Areas of Testing:
General Science
Measures aptitude or skills
Arithmetic Reasoning
Needed for entrance into military & used to narrow military job options
Word Knowledge
Paragraph Comprehension
Mathematics Knowledge
Also used for general career exploration (non-military)
Electronics Information
Auto and Shop Information
Mechanical Comprehension

18. How to Prepare Yourself
For the College, Workforce or Military…
Extracurricular activities
Get involved--sports, clubs, activities or anything outside of school that interests you!
Volunteer!!!!!!
Senior center, food pantry, library, park and rec, etc.
Get a part-time job
Shows responsibility
Take the right courses to best prepare yourself
We’ll be meeting with you every year to help you pick the best courses for your career plan

19. Course Selection for the 2019-2020 School year
Course Selection will be happening soon! We will be using PowerSchool for you to make online selections
Make sure you have your PowerSchool username & password—come to Guidance if you don’t!

20. Wrap-Up This was a lot of information…don’t panic!
We’re here to help you get wherever you want to go
More info to share with you over the next 2 yrs
Feel free to stop by and ask us any questions in the meantime 
Any questions?