College & Career Planning

At Central Columbia, college and career planning is an ongoing process that helps students explore their interests, identify potential career paths, and prepare for life after high school.

Beginning in 9th grade, students participate in career exploration, academic planning, pathway experiences, and post-secondary preparation designed to help them make informed decisions about their futures.

The timeline below provides an overview of the college and career planning activities students will experience throughout high school.

9th Grade | Freshman Year

Fall

Get Involved: Activities Fair
All freshmen attend an Activities Fair featuring clubs, organizations, and activities available at Central Columbia. Students are encouraged to get involved! Participation is a great way to explore interests, develop new skills, make connections, and become a more well-rounded student.

Begin Exploring Careers
Freshmen complete interest inventories and career exploration activities in SmartFutures to begin identifying careers and career fields that may be a good match for their interests.

Spring

Explore Central Columbia's Career Pathways
Representatives from each of Central Columbia's five Career Pathways meet with freshmen to explain their programs, opportunities, and related courses.

Students reflect on the elective courses and experiences they have already completed and select a Career Pathway. A student's chosen pathway helps guide future elective choices and provides opportunities for career exploration and post-secondary preparation.

Create a High School Road Map
During mock scheduling, freshmen work with their school counselor to plan potential courses for the next three years.

This plan is a road map, not a permanent commitment. Students' interests and goals may change as they explore new opportunities. Planning ahead, however, helps students take full advantage of the courses and experiences available at Central Columbia.

Complete a Career Research Project
Freshmen research two careers that interest them. Students explore:

• Education and training requirements

• Knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for each career

• Potential salary

• Employment outlook

• The Central Columbia Career Pathway connected to each career

Summer

Students are encouraged to continue building their skills, experiences, and credentials while exploring their interests. Opportunities might include:

• Summer employment

• Volunteer experiences

• Camps and enrichment programs

• Community activities

• Exploring hobbies and personal interests

10th Grade | Sophomore Year

Take the PSAT

All sophomores take the PSAT in October, with Central Columbia covering the cost.

The PSAT can be used for:

• SAT preparation

• Career exploration

• Future course placement recommendations

• Identifying academic strengths and areas for growth

Students typically receive their results in December and are encouraged to connect their scores to Khan Academy, which provides free SAT preparation resources.

Continue Career Exploration

Sophomores continue exploring potential careers by completing multiple self-assessment inventories that compare their:

• Interests

• Abilities

• Values

Students also complete the Career Map Activity and the Futures II Career Research Project.

Explore Through Career Pathway Electives

Students take Career Pathway electives that provide opportunities to explore subjects and experiences beyond their core academic courses. These electives can help students discover potential career interests while developing useful skills and knowledge.

Graduation Portfolio

Students should complete all required 10th-grade Graduation Portfolio Checklist items.

11th Grade | Junior Year

Junior year is an important time for students to begin narrowing their options and exploring how they will turn their interests into a post-secondary plan.

Fall

Consider Taking the PSAT
Unlike sophomore year, not all juniors take the PSAT. However, taking it again can provide additional SAT practice, career and academic information, and potential scholarship opportunities, including consideration for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Students who participate typically receive their results in December and can use Khan Academy and other available resources for additional SAT preparation.

Meet With Your School Counselor
Students should meet with their school counselor to discuss their developing post-secondary plans and the steps they should take during junior and senior year.

Consider the SAT and/or ACT
Students planning to take standardized college admissions tests should research testing requirements and available test dates.

Resources include:

• College Board — SAT information and registration

• ACT — ACT information and registration

Continue Career Exploration
Students continue exploring potential careers through:

• Meetings with their school counselor

• Career Pathway electives

• Futures III

• Career research

• Job shadowing and other career-based experiences

Graduation Portfolio
Complete all required 11th-grade Graduation Portfolio Checklist items.

Spring

Plan Senior-Year Courses
School counselors meet with students to help select senior-year courses. Students reflect on how their academic and career plans have evolved since 8th grade and select courses that support their current goals.

Counselors also review each student's progress toward meeting graduation requirements.

Register for the SAT and/or ACT, if Appropriate
Central Columbia offers an SAT School Day each April. Students interested in participating should see their school counselor for additional information.

Research Career Training and Post-Secondary Options
Through Futures III, students complete activities designed to help them identify careers that fit their interests, strengths, goals, and the future job market.

Students also research the different routes available to prepare for their chosen careers, including:

• Four-year colleges and universities

• Community and technical colleges

• Career and technical training

• Military education and training

• Apprenticeships

• Direct entry into the workforce

Begin Preparing for College Applications
Students considering college should begin narrowing their list of potential schools and scheduling campus visits.

Students should also talk with teachers about potential letters of recommendation.

Plan Senior-Year Career Experiences
Students should begin securing opportunities for senior year when applicable, including:

• Internships

• Work experiences

• College or dual-enrollment courses

• Other career-based learning opportunities

Summer Before 12th Grade

Students should use the summer before senior year to continue preparing for their next steps.

Recommended activities include:

• Touring and visiting college campuses

• Continuing to explore career options

• Researching education and training programs

• Reviewing application requirements and deadlines

• Continuing to build work, volunteer, and career-related experience

12th Grade | Senior Year

Senior year is about turning years of exploration and planning into action. Students work closely with their school counselors as they finalize their post-secondary plans.

Fall & Winter

Develop a Clear Post-Secondary Direction
Students should finalize a list of potential schools, training programs, career opportunities, or other post-secondary options and begin focusing on a career direction.

Choosing a direction does not mean students are committing to that career forever. Plans often change during and after senior year. Having a goal, however, gives students a direction and helps them continue moving forward.

Complete College Applications
Students applying through Early Decision or Early Action should meet with their school counselor as soon as possible, typically in September or October.

Students should work closely with their counselor throughout the application process. Many colleges accept applications through the Common Application.

Students should also meet with their counselor to review:

• Application procedures

• Transcript release procedures

• Recommendation requirements

• Important application deadlines

Complete the FAFSA
Students pursuing post-secondary education should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Central Columbia typically offers a FAFSA completion session for students and families in October to provide additional support with the financial aid process.

Senior Seminar
Students should continue working toward completion of all Senior Seminar requirements.

Spring

Complete Senior Seminar & Graduation Requirements

Students complete all remaining Senior Seminar requirements and participate in the Senior Exit Interview.

Senior Seminar requirements include:

• Revised professional résumé

• Scholarship and/or job applications

• Post-Secondary Action Plan

• Senior Exit Interview

Post-Secondary Action Plan

The Post-Secondary Action Plan gives seniors an opportunity to bring together everything they have learned through their career exploration and planning experiences and create a realistic plan for life after graduation.

1. My Current Plan

What is my current post-secondary plan, and why did I choose it?

Students should consider:

Self-Assessment Results
What interest, ability, and values assessments have you completed? How have the results contributed to your career goals?

Career Exploration
What career exploration activities have you participated in, and how have they influenced your goals?

Examples may include:

• Job shadowing

• Internships

• Work experiences

• Career Investigation Projects

• Career/College Research Projects

• Career Pathway experiences

Financial Impact
Consider the financial realities connected to your plan:

• How much will the education or training for your career cost?

• How much might you earn in this career?

• What does the employment outlook and job market look like?

2. Short-Term Career Goals

What do you plan to do during the summer and fall immediately following graduation?

How will these activities help move you toward your career goals?

3. One-Year Career Goals

Where would you like to be one year after high school graduation?

Goals might include:

• Obtaining a specific job

• Earning a promotion

• Completing training or certifications

• Continuing your education

• Joining an organization or professional group

• Traveling or gaining new experiences

How will your one-year goals help you move toward your long-term career goals?

4. Three-Year Career Goals

Where would you like to be three years after high school graduation?

What would you like to have accomplished toward your education, training, employment, or overall career goals?

How will your three-year goals help you reach your long-term career goals?

5. Long-Term Career Goals

Where would you like to be five years after high school graduation?

Consider what you hope to have accomplished in your education, training, career, finances, and professional development.

6. Barriers to Meeting My Goals

Students should also consider potential obstacles that could make achieving their goals more difficult.

Examples might include:

• Financial challenges

• Changes in the job market

• Family responsibilities

• Transportation

• Changes in employment

• Education or training costs

• Unexpected changes in personal circumstances

What steps could you take to overcome or adapt to these barriers while continuing to work toward your goals?

Your Plan Can Change, and That's Okay

College and career planning is a process of exploration, reflection, planning, and action. Students are not expected to have their entire future figured out in 9th grade, or even by graduation.

The goal is for every Central Columbia student to leave high school with a better understanding of who they are, what opportunities are available to them, and what steps they can take next.

Throughout this process, Central Columbia's school counselors, teachers, Career Pathway programs, Futures courses, and career experiences are available to help students build a plan for a successful future.