 As we move further along the postsecondary process, students will have two counselors!
 Mrs. Markowitz- counselor for the class of 2015.
 Mr. Carroll- the Post-Secondary/ Career counselor.

 An easy way to think of your two counselors is CatDog.
 Where the other one stops is where the other one begins, but they never split apart!

You should go to…
 Mrs. Markowitz for: academic and course selection questions, brag sheets,
Spark detector (more to follow), and emergencies.
 Mr. Carroll for: career and post secondary questions regarding picking a career/college, applications, high school transcripts, college deadlines, Spark champion (more to follow) and emergencies.

What is your “Spark?”
100% of kids understand and seek Sparks

Where to start? Find the Spark!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bP89iBasyCE

How adults can help fuel the
Spark?
 Talk to children about their Spark.
 If they do not think they have a Spark, suggest Sparks that you see!
 Help eliminate obstacles that might be in their way.
 Only 43% of young people feel that they receive support from 3 or more non-parent adults.
 Be a Spark champion!
http://www.moundsviewschools.org/Files/parentservices/nurturing_sparks.pdf

 It is your child’s Spark, not yours.
 Allow your child to research their Spark on their own.
 Let them come up with their own conclusions about a Spark.

 College majors.
 Life long professions.
 Hobbies.



Facts:
By 2018, 60% of jobs will require college education.
 Unemployment for someone with a college degree- 4.5%.
 Unemployment for someone with no college degree- 8.3%.
 48% of college graduates in 2010 are working in a job that require only a high school diploma. http://www.reviewjournal.com/news/education/2018-60-percent-job-openings-will-require-college-education http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/29/underemployedovereducated_n_2568203.html?utm_hp_ref=college&ir=College

st
Median salary for a two year degree is $45,000

 2013
 From 2005-2012 the average student debt went from $17,233 to $27,253.
 Student loan debt tops all other forms of consumer debt in America.
 Pennsylvania ranked 2 nd in students with the most debt.
○ 70% of students have debt.
○ Average debt- $29,959 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/31/student-loan-debtunsustainable_n_2593303.html

 Top 10 bachelors degrees (in demand)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
Finance
Computer and information science
Accounting
Business administration and management
Mechanical engineering
Management information systems
Electrical engineering
Computer engineering
Marketing/Marketing management
Economics
NACE: The Job Outlook for the College Class of 2013

Looking for opportunities, continued
 Top 5 fast-growing, high paying, nonbachelor required jobs
1.
2.
Environmental science and protection technicians.
Skin care specialist.
3.
4.
5.
Gaming-surveillance officers and game investigators.
Dental assistants
Dental hygienist http://www.salary.com/top-5-fast-growing-high-paying-jobs--bachelor-s-degree-notrequired/slide/6/

Top 15 growing fields:

Network systems and data communication analyst.






Personal care and home aides.
Home health aides.
Computing applications software engineers.
Veterinary technologist and technicians.
Personal financial advisors.
Theatrical and performance makeup artist.

National top growing fields, continued








Medical assistants.
Veterinarians.
Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.
Skin care specialist.
Financial analyst.
Social and human service assistants.
Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators.
Physical therapy assistants. http://www.boston.com/jobs/galleries/30fastest_growing_occupations/

Growing industries in Chester
County
 Industries:
 Professional, Scientific, and Technical
Services.
○ Computer system design and related services
 Health Care and Social Assistance.
○ Individual family services, home health care services
 Admin. Support and Waste Mgmt. Services.
○ Services to buildings and dwellings,
Employment services

Declining industries in Chester
County
 Industries:
 Construction.
○ Building equipment contractors
 Hospitality and Food Services.
○ Restaurants and other eating places
 Professional, Scientific, and Technical
Services.
○ Architectural, Engineering, and related services.
Pa Workforce- Fast Facts Chester County

Increasing your chances…
•
•
•
•
•
See if you can do any of these during high school:
Job shadowing
Internships (typically summer experiences)
Volunteer
Go to field related conferences
Participate in Bring Your Child to Work Day
As many as 1 in 3 students do not return to college after their 1 st year*
1 shadowing experience = 32% higher retention rate in college
1 internship experience = 52% higher retention rate in college
*US News and World Report

 Following the AGHS timeline will help make the transition from Junior year to
Senior year as easy as possible.

 Fall
 Challenge yourself academically.
 Get involved in activities and clubs.
 Took PSATs.
 Classroom presentations- use the resources.
 Updated social media presence.
 Explore career options.
○ Self-assessment tests.
○ Search targeted careers.
 Considering technical path, check out TCHS

 Loooooong Winter Break!
 Search college majors that connect to your
Spark (see resource list).
 Go on fiskeguide.com and take the Sizing
Yourself Up Survey.
 Register for finaid.org and other scholarship sites.

 Winter-Besides keeping warm, you can…
 Use your PSAT resultsmycollegequickstart
 Register for SAT/ACT test.
 Sign up for any college visitations.
 During course selection, sign up for courses related to your career path.

SAT
th
rd
th
Registration
Feb. 7th
Registration
April 4 th
Registration
May 9 th
Late
Feb. 21 st
Late
April 18 th
Late
May 23 rd

ACT
April 12th June 14 th Feb. 8 th
Registratio n
Jan. 10 th
Late
Jan. 11-14 th
Registration
Mar. 7 th
Late
Mar. 8-21 st
Registration
May 9 th
Late
May 10-23 rd

 Spring
 Complete “Brag Sheet.” Pick teachers/recommenders.
 Create a student activity resume.
 Visit post-secondary schools.
○ Use the Tips and Trick to College Touring
 Begin brainstorming college essay responses.
 If you are considering being a student athlete, go to ncaa.org and register.
 Attend Junior Family Night- Tips and Timeline
Part II