9th Grade College & Career
Planning Checklist
Name:
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Revisit your student profile at www.ohiomeansjobs.com to update your information and
continue planning.
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Meet with your guidance counselor and GEAR UP advisor.
o Your counselor and advisor know how to help you get the most out of your path through
high school. Be sure to take some time during the school year to discuss post-high
school plans with him or her.
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Revisit and update your Academic and Career Pathways (forms).
o Consider how your interests and strengths may influence your long-term goals and how
you can begin preparing now for your career goals by completing related education
requirements.
o Of course these will change – often – but it’s good to keep thinking about the
possibilities.
o Identify your interests, likes, and dislikes – not just in class but also in every area.
o Talk to other people, such as your school counselor, teachers, recent college graduates
who are working, professionals in the community, etc. about the careers you might find
interesting. Your GEAR UP advisor will also help you explore.
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Document your Career Exploration Activities (form).
o This includes field trips, career speakers, job shadowing, internships, community service
and service learning.
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Create a four-year high school plan.
o Explore electives available in 10th grade and identify options to explore interests and
expand strengths/skills.
o Make sure you know which high school courses are required by colleges and that you’re
taking the right classes as early as ninth grade. You can ask your counselor about what
those “right” classes are.
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Explore programs available at your school where you can earn credentials or certificates
during high school.
o Harding currently offers Early Childhood Education, Exercise Science, Global Logistics
(Business), and Health Technologies. Tri-Rivers hosts another 16 programs.
9th Grade College & Career
Planning Checklist
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Participate in extracurricular activities.
o Academics aren’t everything. Explore your interest in a sport, school club, music or
drama group, or community volunteer activity.
o Remember that colleges would rather see real involvement in one activity instead of a
loose connection to several.
o If you’re interested in playing sports in college, be sure to talk to your Athletic Director
and research the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) eligibility
requirements. The NCAA requires completion of certain core courses; you can find the
specifics at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
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Save for college.
o It’s not too late (or early) to put money aside for college. Every little bit helps!
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Explore summer opportunities.
o Look for a job, internship, or volunteer position that will help you learn about a field of
interest.