College and Career Planning

Illinois Pathways: This link will direct you to a website that will give you an easy way to explore career options within a broad category. If you are interested in further discussion about specific careers, please see your counselor.   

https://www.illinoisworknet.com/ilpathways/Pages/default.aspx

College

• Post-Secondary Certifications and Degress

  • Certificate - A series of community college courses in a specialized field that prepares students for entry level occupations. SVCC certificate programs: https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/certificates.html?utm_source=header&utm_medium=multiple&utm_campaign=mega%20menu

  • AAS - Associates of Applied Science (non-transferable) - A career degree earned at a community college or technical school that prepares students to enter into an advanced level occupation. SVCC AAS degree programs: https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/career-degrees.html

  • AS/AA - Associates of Science or Associates of Arts (transferable) - An associates degree designed for students who plan to transfer to a four-year institution. SVCC AS or AA degree: https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/transfer-degrees.html

  • BS/BA - Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Arts - Four year undergraduate degrees that prepare students for an advanced level career.

  • MS/MA - Master of Science/Master of Arts - Graduate level degrees for continuing career advancement.

  • PhD - Doctorate - The highest level of degree that is required for some careers.

• IMPORTANT COLLEGE ADMISSION TERMS

• EARLY ACTION: An option to submit an application to your first choice college before the regular application deadline. These decisions are binding, if you are accepted you must enroll in the college immediately and offered a financial aid package that meets your needs.

• EARLY DECISION: An option to submit an application before the regular application deadline. If accepted, you can wait to enroll until the enrollment deadline for the college or university.

• DEFERRED ADMISSION: Some colleges or universities may allow you to postpone an enrollment into the college or university for up to one year. The college or university may require a "good-faith" deposit to hold your place. The college or university may ask for an account of your experience during the deferment period.

• ROLLING ADMISSION: Many colleges or universities have rolling admissions. Rather waiting until a certain application deadline, colleges or universities will evaluate each student's application as soon as all the required application materials are received. This allows colleges and universities to notify applicants of its admissions decisions quickly.

• OPEN ADMISSION: A policy of accepting any high school graduate, regardless of grades. Some programs within the community college may have certain requirements to be accepted into that specific program.

• WAITLIST: A list of applicants who maybe admitted if space becomes available.

• FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid. All seniors in Illinois need to fill out this application to graduate from high school It determines if you qualify for financial assistance with tuition to attend the college of your choice

• FINANCIAL AID: Money given or loaned to help pay for college. It comes in many forms: scholarships, work-study, loans (state and federal).

• COMMON APPLICATION: Over 700 colleges members of the common application. You fill out the application once and you can choose which colleges or universities you want to apply to that are associated with the common application. Many of the institutions are small private colleges or universities.

• PRIORITY DATE or DEADLINE: The date by which your application materials are due to be considered for admission.

• COLLEGE DECISION DAY: Congrats your child has been accepted. You have until May 1 to decide which college or university child will attend in the fall.

• NCAA Clearinghouse: The NCAA Clearinghouse is an organization outside of the NCAA which performs academic record evaluations to determine if a prospective student-athlete is eligible to participate in athletics at an NCAA Division I or Division II college as a freshman student-athlete.

• Timeline:

  • NACAC timeline/checklist for Junior and Senior year

  • FAFSA: Opens December

  • Early Decision: Application deadline is typically November 1st

  • Regular Decision: Application deadline is typically January-February- depending on college or University

  • Community College Registration: Typically begins in early April

  • College Decision Day: Students must make their college decision by May 1

  • Scholarships: Local scholarships come out in January and February, Check your email and announcements for scholarships and application deadlines.

Workforce

• Apprenticeships: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/career-seekers

• SVCC Certificate/Career Degree Programs:
  https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/certificates.html
  https://www.svcc.edu/academics/programs/individual/career-degrees.html

• Manpower: https://www.manpowergroupusa.com/manpower/locations/dixon?utm_source=google&utm_medium=lpm&utm_campaign=manpowerlpm

• Jobcorp: https://www.jobcorps.gov/

Military: https://www.defense.gov/About/Our-Forces/ 

         Army: www.goarmy.com

         Navy: www.usna.edu

Air Force: www.usafa.af.mil

         Marines: www.marines.com

         Coast Guard: www.uscg.mil

         National Guard: www.nationalguard.com