PREPARING FOR LIFE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Visit the Career Center webpage
www.central.laramie1.org, click on Counseling, then Career Center
How can I discover my strongest career interests, skills and values?
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Kuder Career Planning System www.kudernavigator.com
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator(Career Center) (www.myersbriggs.org )
Strong Interest Inventory Profile(Career Center)
True Colors (Career Center)
Multiple Intelligences Inventory (Career Center)
How can I find information about Careers?
 Internet Research
--Kuder Career Planning System (www.kudernavigator.com)
--Occupational Outlook Handbook (www.bls.gov/oco/)
 Job Shadow or Informational Interview (See Career Counselor)
 Part-time jobs (Check Career Center Bulletin Board)
 Volunteer and community service
 School and community activities
 School and college courses (College credit is many subjects)
 Discovering Pathways, class for creating career plan & portfolio
 Libraries
 College visits, interview key department personnel
How will I find out about education and training?
 Visit colleges websites/ search sites (www.petersons.com)
 Northern Colorado Out-of-State College Fair, Poudre H. S. Ft. Collins,
October 5, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
 Greater Denver Saturday College Fair, Cherry Creek H. S., October. 9,
10:00 to 2:00 p.m. Contact them at www.collegefairsdenver,org
 College Fair/Planning Day, CHS Commons October. 6, 2010, 12:45 to 2:15p.m.
 Visit colleges, training schools, military recruiters
 Compare costs, admission criteria, financial aid, check deadlines
 College & military representatives at CHS Career Center
What are the general college admission requirements?
 Application for admission and fee, online or mail in form, use websites
 Common application (300 colleges use this application)
www.commonapplication.org
 Apply early (end of October, be aware of recommended deadlines)
 Official high school transcript (contact the Records Clerk)
 Test results (listed on the student’s official transcript)
 Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) www.fafsa.gov
Complete after January 1 (Create a pin number to apply)
 College Financial Aid Application (check with college for deadlines)
 By request: Resume of activities, essay, recommendations, portfolio, personal
interview, common application, early admission application
How will I finance my education or training?
 Determine the costs of education or training
 Investigate sources of funding available:
1. Student earnings and savings
2. Family contribution
3. Federal grants and work study (determined by FAFSA form)
4. Scholarships(national, state, local and college)
5. Western Undergraduate Exchange (www.wiche.edu)
6. Military (Guard or enlisted) www.NeedALift.org
7. Loans and loan forgiveness programs
Western States Learning Corporation www.wslc.com
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Important dates to remember:
*Wednesday, October 6, 12:45-2:15 p.m. Career Fair/Planning Days, Central
*Wednesday, October 27, 6:30 p.m. Hathaway Info Session, L. C. Library
*Thursday, November 4, 6:30 p.m. Parent Financial Aid Night, Central High
*Tuesday, November. 16, 6:30 p.m. Scholarship Strategies,
Laramie County Library
*Thursday, January 6, 6:00 p.m. Parent FAFSA Workshop East High.
*Wednesday, January 12, 6:30 p.m. Parent FAFSA Workshop,
Laramie County Library(repeat of the East High FAFSA Workshop)
*April 27, 2011( morning only) ACT Test for Juniors, PLAN for Sophomores
What do I need to do to apply for scholarships?
1. Search for scholarships in multiple locations:
A. Career Center (Go to central.laramie1.org, click on Counseling, then Career Center, my
counseling page and scholarships for current list of scholarships)
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B. Colleges, training schools
C. Businesses & Corporations
D. Clubs and Organizations in your school and community
E. Parent/Student Employers
F. Parent/Student Affiliations
G. Professional Organizations
H. Government
I. Internet Sites
J. Military
K. Foundations
L. Religious Community
Set aside time to complete applications
Create a resume of experiences/activities and save
Create a personal essay and save
Request two to three letters of recommendation early
Submit all materials ON TIME
 Hathaway Scholarship Session at the Laramie County Library
October 27, 6:30 p.m.
 Scholarship Strategies Workshop at the Laramie County Library
November 16, 2010, 6:30 p.m.
 Senior Awards Night, Central High School, May 18, 2011, 7:00 p.m.
What do I need to know about testing?
 PLAN (Preparation for ACT) – All Sophomores – April
 PSAT (SAT practice and qualify for National Merit) – Juniors – October
 ACT (www.actstudent.org to register & practice) – 6 test dates
April - Juniors take the ACT or WorkKeys at no cost
 SAT (www.collegeboard.com to register & practice)
 PAWS – Proficiency Assessments given in March (Sophomores/Juniors)
 ASVAB – Military enlistment test (Administered in the Spring at CHS)
 Work Keys – Skill based assessment covering reading, writing, math
You can earn a certificate if you pass the tests at a specific level.
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How do I practice and prepare for testing?
“Preparing for the ACT/SAT” Practice booklets(Career Center)
RMASS Zapping the ACT and SAT Preparation Workshops at
Central High School, Fall and Spring sessions
Free ACT/SAT Practice Sessions at LCCC, Business Building,
Room 126, every Wednesday from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.
www.march2success.com (ACT, SAT, ASVAB)
How do I search for employment and prepare to apply for jobs?
 Career Center and listen to announcements for job openings
 Newspaper
 Wyoming Workforce Services www.wyomingatwork.com
 Contact employers who hire young people
 Prepare a resume and cover letter
 Practice Interviewing
 Job applications
 Portfolios