SchooLinks  is a comprehensive career platform students can access in Classlink. This is a great tool for students to research and plan their post high school aspirations. Students can take a variety of assessments that help them learn more about themselves and idenitfy careers that may be a good fit for their personality. They can choose favorite activities to identify some related careers,  and discover motivations for life after high school.

Students attending HCPS have the opportunity to enroll in CTE classes that can lead to earning industry credentials while in high school in addition to their high school diploma. This allows students to be JOB READY when they graduate high school. A student can earn a credential by taking a sequence of CTE courses followed by passing a related industry exam. The areas include, but are not limited to: agriculture, business and information technology, health and medical sciences, fire and EMS, engineering, etc. This means students can graduate high school not only with their diploma, but with valuable career skills, experience (internships), and credentials setting them up for success in the world of work after high school. Students should discuss these options with their school counselor and attend the annual Education Expo held in October of each year.

71% of jobs in Virginia will require some sort of postsecondary education/training (training after high school). CCWA is the workforce development division of Reynolds and Brightpoint Community Colleges. They work with both job seekers and build partnerships with employers offering training in high paying, long-term careers that do not require a 4 year college degree. Find a listing of the programs they offer here.

A report from Georgetown University's Center on Education and the Workforce shared that by 2030, 72% of jobs will require more than a high school diploma. High school graduates are able to pursue short certification courses (1 year or less) that will train them for valuable careers and help them prepare for state certification exams at Virginia community colleges. Search through FastForward: Credentials for Careers that Matter for local credentials available (ex: Truck Driving/CDL, Pharmacy Tech, Clinical Medical Assistant, Plumbing Level 1, Hospitality & Tourism, etc.)

The U.S. Department of Labor states that apprenticeships combine paid on the job training with classroom learning. Search for internships in the Richmond area (or elsewhere around the country) at Apprenticeships USA.

Resumes may feel intimidating to create when you are in high school. Go to Canva and search for high school resume templates that will guide you in creating yours. In general, resumes should be about 1 page and include: your name and contact information, education and training (including dates), skills, and experience. Experience can be many things like: volunteering, part-time employment, internships, clubs and extracurricular activities, etc.

An interview can really influence if you are hired. Some recruiters will hire someone that may not have specific job skills, but is a great team player and communicator. It's important to prepare! Brainstorm possible questions you might be asked in an interview and practice your response. You may want to condiser using AI to help you generate interview questions to practice ("Generate interview questions that might be asked for a registered nurse.")