Military Path

Comprising seven different branches, the military offers career training, health and retirement benefits, housing benefits, and tuition support. If your student is interested in pursuing the military upon graduation, feel free to contact the appropriate recruiter below.

Military Recruiter Contacts

• Army: SSG Jacqueline Mccusker, 410-964-8420

• Navy: OS2 Daniel Greenhill, 410-591-6097

• MD Army National Guard: SFC John Kauffman, 443-643-7435

• Marine Corps: SSgt Amanda Laguerre, 443-784-1174

• Air Force: TSgt Erik Brooks, 240-695-0022

• Coast Guard: OS1 Jhonnatan Correal, 410-747-3963

A trade school is a postsecondary educational institution designed to train students for a specific job in a skilled trade career. Trade school offers hands-on training to prepare students for actual work in their chosen field. There are more than one hundred twenty-five private career schools in Maryland that offer training in a variety of fields. Before enrolling, make sure the school is accredited, inquire about the total program cost, complete the FAFSA, and visit the school to observe classes.

• Maryland Workforce Exchange: Job seeking skills and job search maintained by the State of Maryland.

• Private Career Schools and Programs in Maryland: A list maintained by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.

• Vocational and Skilled Trade Schools: Search for vocational and trade schools by type of program, location or online learning options.

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.    

HCPSS Apprenticeship Opportunities:

• Apprenticeship Maryland:  Apprenticeship Maryland is a graduation pathway for seniors in HCPSS, who are interested in employment and further education based on a career pathway. Apprenticeships opportunities are constantly growing as the county adds more businesses/sponsors. You can view the most updated list here.

Apprenticeships beyond HCPSS:    

• Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing:  This is the  official website to start your journey on becoming an apprentice in Maryland. 

• Howard Community College Apprenticeship Programs:  HCC offers several “earn while you learn” programs, including Biomedical Engineering Technology, Surgical Technologist, Licensed Practical Nurse, Information Technology.  They also offer the more traditional apprenticeships, such as Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical.

Students attending a two-year college work toward an Associate’s Degree or a certification program.  Maryland has 16 community colleges all offering open-admission and affordable tuition.  Further, community colleges provide opportunities for transfer degrees, workforce training, and continued learning.  To learn about all Maryland Community Colleges click here.

Howard Community College

• Admissions and Advising:  Apply for admission and learn about the enrollment process.

• Degrees and Certificate Types:  Howard Community College offers Associate's Degrees, Certificate Programs and Letters of Recognition.  Visit this page to learn about all the programs within each of these programs.

• Career Paths Requiring an Associate’s Degree:  The Occupational Outlook Handbook delineates career paths that require an Associate’s Degree.

Students attending a four-year college or university work toward a Bachelor’s Degree in a specified major.  As of 2020, there were a total of 4,298 four-year institutions, of which 1,626 were public, 1687 were private, and 985 were private for-profit. 

College Planning Timeline

• College Planning Checklist: National Association of Admission Counseling is an organization of more than 26,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.  NACAC has created a four year planning timeline for high school students.

College Search Information

• Naviance:  Naviance is a college and career tool that offers interest inventories, college searches, and career information. Naviance is the mechanism by which counselors and teachers submit transcripts and letters of recommendation to colleges and universities on behalf of students.  All high school students in HCPSS have an account in Naviance.

• Big Future:  A college and career website maintained by The College Board. This is a comprehensive site that includes interest inventories, search engines, resources, blogs, scholarship information and more.

• HBCU Listing:   There are 107 colleges in the United States that are identified by the US Department of Education as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).