College and Career Readiness

For even more information, click this Video Link

Old Saybrook High School's College and Career Readiness Program is designed to provide students with individualized opportunities to become self-aware, to be exposed to a variety of post-secondary options and career pathways, and to interact with or be exposed to information from current career professionals. Students will have opportunities to pursue knowledge in areas of interest and to engage in experiences that will allow for informed decision-making and a fluid transition upon graduation.

The following are some of the services provided by the College and Career Readiness Coordinators.  These services can be accessed anytime by emailing Mrs. Fawcett (sfawcett@oldsaybrookschools.org) or Ms. Using (cusing@oldsaybrookschools.org). You can also pop by Room 221 (adjacent to the LMC) and make an appointment.

Goals

1. Establish an environment where 100% of our students participate in College and Career Readiness activities, experiences, and guidance that will increase their knowledge and self-awareness.

2. Provide all students with resources and access to career and postsecondary guidance from the CCR Coordinators. 

3. Facilitate student growth and practice in 21st Century Skill development.

4. Facilitate connections between students and professionals within their career interest areas.

5. Provide opportunities for students to participate in hands-on experiences and/or in authentic career environments. 

6. Assist students in connecting with military personnel and enlistment opportunities.

7. Assist students in connecting with trade schools, skilled trades employers, and training programs in the trades.

8. Facilitate connections between students and former OSHS students who are engaged in post-secondary studies and/or careers related to their post-secondary educational interests.

9. Encourage students to welcome new challenges, independence, and responsibility. 

10. Provide students with opportunities to apply what they have learned in the classroom.

11. Assist students in gaining the independence, experiences, and knowledge necessary to succeed in post-secondary endeavors.

12. Assist students with college exploration, essays, and college resumes

Student Driven Options

There are many options for fulfilling the CCR credit.  The coordinators are flexible in helping you to pursue knowledge about your future.  Some different paths you may choose to pursue your credit are as follows:

1. CCR Mentor-Led Internship:(Must be 16 years old): Students, either independently or with the guidance of the CCR Coordinators, will identify and secure an internship mentor. The College & Career Readiness Time / Activity Log must be kept by the student and signed off on by the parent or the mentor. Completion and submission of the Credit Documentation Form is required for credit to be given.
   
   

2. Capstone - Credit can be earned if the Capstone project is focused on potential career options or interests. Please email Mrs. Fawcett (sfawcett@oldsaybrookschools.org) or Mrs. Hunter (khunter@oldsaybrookschools.org) to discuss this option. 

3. Credit can be earned through successful completion of News Media Now, Advanced Research Methods, Advanced Food Services, or any career-based or applied practices classes IF it matches a student’s career interest.  Teacher input would be needed on what this could look like. 

4. Informational Interviews - Interview individuals you have researched, a member of your family, friends, and/or older siblings about their career, their education post-high school, or their college experience so far.  The number of interviews needed would depend on the depth of each interview.

5. Research a career, university, or plan of post-secondary study.  Use any of the links on the CCR website HERE or find your own source. 

6. Complete one or more job shadows in person or utilize one of the following virtual job shadow links.

• www.teleshadowing.com

• www.careergirls.org

• https://jobshadow.com/categories/

7. Engage in College and Career research opportunities through student surveys and interest inventories. These activities may include: 

• AchieveWorks® Learning & Productivity helps students discover their sensory, environmental, and mindset preferences to help them develop and adjust their study practices.

• AchieveWorks® Personality helps students identify their personality type by asking them to choose scenarios that best represent how they behave in real life.

• The Career Cluster Finder helps students identify their interests and discover career clusters containing careers that might interest them.

• The Career Interest Profiler captures a student's interests to help identify their personality traits and suggest careers based on the U.S. Department of Labor's data.

• The Career Key helps students identify their Holland traits, and best match work environments and related careers by asking them questions about their interests.

• StrengthsExplorer helps students identify their key strengths that they can use as they proceed on their college, career, and life readiness journey.

For more detailed information and resources, please see the CCR website.