Career/Post-Secondary Options
If you are planning to pursue work after high school, a gap year, the military, or have further questions, please reach out to a member of the College Counseling Team.
Community Colleges: Workforce Development Programs and Associate Degrees
University of DC Community College
Located in North West DC on the Red Line (Van Ness Station)
Offers Associate Degrees, Certificate Programs, and Workforce Development Programs (FREE for DC Residents!)
Located in Maryland via the Red Line (Shady Grove Station)
Offers Associate Degrees, Certificate Programs, Professional Licensure, and Workforce Development Programs
Prince George's Community College
Located off Interstate 495
Offers Associate Degrees, Career Programs, Transfer Programs and Workforce Development Programs
DC Jobs and Job Training Programs
DC Fire and EMS Cadet DC residents with a high school diploma and 2.5 GPA are eligible
Metropolitan Police Cadet Corps Graduates of DC high schools are eligible. The Police Department funds up to 60 college credits to meet the college education requirement
POLICE CADET CORPS HIGH SCHOOL PROGRAM: If you are thinking about pursuing a profession in law enforcement after high school, I would encourage you to consider the high school cadet corps program. To learn more, please visit their WEBSITE.
Please walk close to the college counseling office (RM 010 by the ground floor elevator) where you will see fliers posted. There is a QR code that you can connect to that will give you more information.
Prospect College: Medical Assistant, Medical Administration Assistant, and PC Specialist Training Programs
The Washington Post Jobs compiles job postings online
Vocational Education and More
Vocational education prepares people to work in various jobs such as a trade or a craft.
Examples include
Other popular trades include plumbers, medical assistants, welding technicians, truck drivers, and more.
Military Options
Starting at the age of 18 (or 17 with parental consent), those who are interested in military service may choose to enlist. Eligibility requirements include being a US Citizen, graduating high school, and taking the ASVAB. Those interested in college and then military service should consider service academies. Those considering applying to service academies must apply for a nomination from Congresswoman Eleanor Norton Holmes' Office here. A board will choose candidates to interview and then eventually determine those who will be nominated to the five service academies.
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery is a multiple choice test, administered by the United States Military Entrance Processing Command, used to determine qualification for enlistment in the United States Armed Forces. The Armed Forces Qualifying Test (AFQT) score determines whether you're qualified to enlist in the U.S. military. Click on the link to learn more, and ask Mr. Mitchell if you are interested in taking the test.
Gap Year
What is a Gap Year?
A "gap year" typically refers to a student taking a year between graduating high school and enrolling in or starting college. Some students choose to work and save money for school during this year, while others may choose a gap year program or volunteer service. See the data below from the 2015 National Gap Year Alumni Survey for reasons why students found gap years beneficial.
Students choosing gap years may 1) apply to colleges during their senior year of high school, get accepted and deposit by May 1st, and defer to a particular school (recommended by most college admissions), OR 2) wait to apply to college until after high school graduation.
Listen to NPR's Here and Now: The Pros and Cons of a Gap Year
Gap Year Ideas and Programs
Planning a Gap year:
Step 1: Make a list of goals you would like to achieve, skills you want to learn, and experiences you want to have.
Step 2: Challenge yourself with where to go and what to do. Now is the time to experience the world by living in it.
Step 3: Tackle the logistics. Consider implications for college after your gap year, and those of your actual gap year too.
Gap Year Association has more resources for planning gap years as well as finding Gap Year Programs
What is a service year? (click on the link for more info)
Whether you’re figuring out what’s next after high school or college, searching for an opportunity to find a new path, looking to gain skills and experience for a job, or wanting a career change — a service year may be just what you’re looking for. There are over 65,000 opportunities in America, that offer varying lengths of commitment, issue areas and geographic locations. All service years share one thing in common: they provide a paid, life-changing experience.
Service Year Organizations:
Americorps (includes City Year)
Finding & Applying to Jobs
Please see if you need assistance with: Resumes, Cover Letters, LinkedIn, Networking, Graduate Schools
Job Boards
Career Aptitude
Naviance
Naviance has 3 Career Assessments that can give you ideas about what careers might be a good fit! Find them under the "Career" tab. Once you determine a career cluster, do some research and investigate what it takes to have that career. For example, do you need a BA? Certification?
1. Career Cluster Finder
2. Strengths Explorer
3. Career Interest Profiler
Personality Tests
Personality tests can also be a good way of affirming your strengths. Once you determine a personality type, see what careers are best suited for your particular strengths.
1. Myers Briggs or 16 Personalities
A 501(c)3 nonprofit organization reducing poverty one family at a time by providing mentoring, resources, and services to help D.C. area teen parents become college graduates and help their children enter kindergarten at higher levels of school readiness. We are a two-generation solution to poverty.