College / Career
Looking for a job?
Having a job while you are a teen is a rite of passage, a means of individual freedom, a great way to learn responsibility, and often a financial necessity. The DCSS Work-Based Learning coordinators have worked with local businesses to compile a list of current job openings available to our students.
To access the list, hold your phone's camera over the QR code to the left to be directed to our Padlet site. There you will find the listing of some of the current job openings in the area.
High School College & Career Specialists
Each high school in Douglas County has a College/Career Specialist in their building. See the list below to idnetify the College/Career Specialist at your school:
Alexander High School Bethany Dowda bethany.dowda@dcssga.org
Chapel Hill High School Brenda Horan brenda.horan@dcssga.org
Douglas County High School Christopher Mason (counselor) christopher.mason@dcssga.org
Lithia Springs High School Lauren Fleming (counselor) lauren.fleming@dcssga.org
New Manchester High School Pam Morris pam.morris@dcssga.org
CCI- College & Career Institute McKenna Hansen (counselor) mckenna.hansen@dcssga.org
Success Center Jolli Weaver (counselor) jolli.weaver@dcssga.org
College Planning
Who am I?
Learn strategies to prepare for the journey. After high school you are not only entering a college/technical college or starting your career in the military, completing an apprenticeship, etc.–it’s important to stay and be successful in high school!
Where am I going?
If you don’t know your destination, how do you know when you get there? Research has shown that exploring a variety of options results in a stronger commitment to the final decision. Therefore, use the links below to explore a multitude of careers and post secondary institutions. Look at different avenues for reaching your goal. Many roads lead to a desired college and career choice. Explore them all: 4-year, 2-year, and technical colleges as well as military, apprenticeships, and other types of post secondary training.
College Planning Resources from GA Futures
Make a Plan-Create a Road Map for College Planning
Campus Visit Guide for College
U.S. News & World Reports College Rankings
College Prep Checklists
These checklists are provided by the Georgia Student Finance Commission as a means to prepare students and their families for college and beyond.
College Admissions - How will I get there?
Once you set a goal, the next step is taking action, deciding how to reach your goal and implementing the plan you have made. A journey requires a map, a timeline, and resources (show me the money!) to arrive at your destination. Utilize the resources below to learn how to get the money you need (i.e., financial aid), what steps to take along the way, and which admissions tests are right for you.
College Planning Resources from GA Futures
5 Things You Need to Know About College Admission
ACT / SAT
Basic Overview
The ACT and SAT are both college admissions exams that are designed to assess your academic readiness for college. Colleges will accept either the SAT or ACT, so which should you take? Some students score much higher on the SAT, while others do better on the ACT. Here are seven key differences between the two tests (from theprincetonreview.com):
1. ACT questions tend to be more straightforward.
ACT questions are often easier to understand on a first read. On the SAT, you may need to spend time figuring out what you're being asked before you can start solving the problem. For example, here are sample questions from the SAT essay and the ACT writing test (their name for the essay):
SAT: What is your view of the claim that something unsuccessful can still have some value?
ACT: In your view, should high schools become more tolerant of cheating?
2. The SAT has a stronger emphasis on vocabulary.
If you're an ardent wordsmith, you'll love the SAT. If words aren't your thing, you may do better on the ACT.
3. The ACT has a Science section, while the SAT does not.
You don't need to know anything about amoebas or chemical reactions for the ACT Science section. It is meant to test your reading and reasoning skills based upon a given set of facts. But if you're a true science-phobe, the SAT might be a better fit.
4. The ACT tests more advanced math concepts.
In addition to basic arithmetic, algebra I and II, and geometry, the ACT tests your knowledge of trigonometry, too. That said, the ACT Math section is not necessarily harder, since many students find the questions to be more straightforward than those on the SAT.
5. The ACT Writing Test is optional on test day, but required by many schools.
The 25-minute SAT essay is required and is factored into your writing score. The 30-minute ACT writing test is optional. If you choose to take it, it is not included in your composite score — schools will see it listed separately. Many colleges require the writing section of the ACT, so be sure to check with the schools where you are applying before opting out.
6. The SAT is broken up into more sections.
On the ACT, you tackle each content area (English, Math, Reading and Science) in one big chunk, with the optional writing test at the end. On the SAT, the content areas (Critical Reading, Math and Writing) are broken up into 10 sections, with the required essay at the beginning. You do a little math, a little writing, a little critical reading, a little more math, etc. When choosing between the SAT and ACT, ask yourself if moving back and forth between content areas confuse you or keep you energized?
7. The ACT is more of a "big picture" exam.
College admissions officers care about how you did on each section of the SAT. On the ACT, they're most concerned with your composite score. So if you're weak in one content area but strong in others, you could still end up with a very good ACT score and thus make a strong impression with the admissions committee.
Helpful Links
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Even if a student is a high school freshman, the U. S. Department of Education encourages both students and parents to start thinking about money for college or technical college. The three terms listed below will help with the basics. Also, the federal Department of Education checklist Click Here is a valuable source of information.
Scholarships & Grants – Scholarships and grants are funds to pay for your education that do not have to be paid back to the issuer. Grants are often based upon financial need, whereas scholarships are based upon merit (grades, accomplishments, etc.). Grants and scholarships can come from the government, private organizations, individuals, or colleges and schools.
Loans – Student loans can originate from the federal government or private financial institutions. Make sure you understand who is making your loan and the terms that are associated with the interest that will be charged and the repayment schedule.
Work Study – The federal government can provide some students with Federal Work Study opportunities. These programs allow students to work part-time to earn the money needed to help pay for tuition. Many schools also offer work-study programs on campus for students.
GAfutures
GAfutures Quick Guides
Career Planning
Deciding on a career is a big step for students. Depending on the career a student desires, their path may lead to college, technical school, trade school, an apprenticeship, the world of work, or the military. The first step is to explore potential careers and to learn about one's self. The GA Futures website has many resources for helping students learn about themselves and explore career options. Click on the links below or reach out to your school counselor for additional support.
YouScience
Students in Douglas County typically take the YouScience suite of assessments during their 9th or 10th grade years. These results match students with potential career fields based on their aptitudes and interests. Students may revisit their YouScience results anytime to explore potential career fields and to receive more in depth information on specific careers by visiting www.youscience.com. If a student has questions about YouScience, they should speak with their school counselor.
Military Careers
To explore the many careers available through the modern U.S. military, please visit the website Today's Military
Douglas County School System Career Planner
Preparing students for success after high school is an inherent component of the Douglas County School System's vision. Whether students plan to enter the workforce immediately or attend college after high school graduation, careful consideration of high school course options can impact their futures. To better prepare students for the demands of the 21st century economy and for postsecondary education, the Douglas County School System has provided this planning guide for use by students and their parents.
Click the image to the left to access the 2023-2024 Career Planner.