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High school is the launching pad for your post-secondary education and future career. Here are some things you can do now that will help:
Post-secondary/higher education is an important part of your future.
Grades really matter starting freshman year, take challenging courses, and do your best in school and on standardized tests.
Create a study schedule, develop strong study habits, and a study space either at school or at home.
Determine how you learn best - by reading, listening, or watching a video.
Explore your interests or hobbies, and how they might relate to a career.
Extracurricular activities in school or community-based can help you get into schools or sharpen interest in a career path.
Learn more about potential careers and what you might need for education or training.
Explore requirements at any schools you are considering for higher education.
Explore advanced placement and early college courses that may allow you to earn college credit while in high school and reduce the overall costs of higher education.
Research in-demand jobs in Texas and the schooling needed to do those jobs.
If you are having difficulty, don’t give up—get help from a teacher, tutor, or mentor.
Schedule an appointment with me, your school counselor, to help you make a graduation plan.
Visit colleges, universities, or trade schools.
Considering a skill or trade? Look into programs available at your local Career and Technical Education Center.
Explore ways in which you can pay for college tuition like employer programs, grants, scholarships, federal and state funds.
Discuss your future career thoughts and ideas with your family, teachers, librarians, and friends.
Ask people who you think have interesting jobs, “What do you like about your job?” and “What education did you need for your job?”
Read books from actual professionals in a career field.
Take career assessments to see what jobs match your interests, values, and skills.
Find Income information about careers that interest you. Do they earn a salary or hourly pay? What’s the range? Do people have this as their only job, or do they need to supplement with a second job to pay all their bills plus save money each month?
Working part-time? Save some of your income for higher education expenses.
Find and apply for scholarships. (see the scholarships links below)
Ask people and watch Interviews to make sure a day in the life of a potential profession is something you’d actually be interested in.
Shadow a job within your school district, or with a family/friend. Or take part in a Take Your Child to Work day at your parent’s/family member’s employer.
Consider the ROI of any schools you are interested in attending. Consider what the school will cost you to attend (using Net Price Calculator) and your intended career (using CareerOneStop) to make sure the education is likely to “pay off” financially in the way you hope.
Get an FSA ID (the user name and password used to access all Federal Student Aid websites, including FAFSA.gov). File your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) after October 1 of your senior year.
Discuss with your family how much money will be available for tuition and scholarship possibilities—an honest talk now could set realistic expectations and help you reduce education borrowing.
Reduce tuition costs. Test out of college courses by taking Advanced Placement (AP) classes in high school. Some schools may also allow you to test out of general education classes. Enroll in summer courses at your local college or online to fulfill general education requirements at a lower cost per credit hour.
Adapted from FAME Education, (2021). Finance Authority of Maine. https://www.fame-education.com/high-school-education-tips/
Please email me [akay@utopiaisd.net] if you need a copy of your transcript or a letter of recommendation (please attach your resume to the email). For all other concerns please complete the google form on the home page, thank you.
Below you will find links to useful websites to explore future career options and financial assistance.
If you wish to apply for dual credit at Southwest Texas College or to a two or four-year public college in Texas to attend after graduation, you must complete your profile on Apply Texas and submit your application through the website below.
Apply Texas, (2021). Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board. https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX
Some colleges and scholarships require SAT scores
School Day SATs
Sign up with Mrs. Kay
October 2025, Seniors take the SAT
Juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT
March 2026, Juniors take the SAT
Sophomores take the PSAT
Saturday SATs, please register online
Utopia ISD Saturday testing is on the following dates: August 23, 2025, December 6, 2025, and June 6, 2026
Utopia ISD does not offer the ACT examination. If you need this for admission into your college of choice or a scholarship application please sign up using the link below.
https://my.act.org/account/signin?location=https://my.act.org
Accuplacer, (2021). College Board. https://accuplacer.collegeboard.org/students/prepare-for-accuplacer/practice
TSIA2
For most Texas college entry you must pass the reading, writing, and math portions of the TSIA2.
In order to take dual credit college algebra, you must pass the TSIA2 math assessment.
All other dual credit courses offered require the passing of TSAI2 reading and writing assessments.
Click the link to the left and take the practice tests.
Then email me to schedule a testing appointment.
If you're wanting to attend college download this college preparation checklist to make sure you haven't forgotten something vital.
https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/college-prep-checklist.pdf
Federal Student Aid, (n.d.). College preparation checklist. U.S. Department of Education. https://studentaid.gov/sites/default/files/college-prep-checklist.pdf
Local Scholarships Available to Utopia ISD Students
Bandera County Farm Bureau
Bandera Electric Cooperative
Bandera Farm Bureau
Buffalo Backers
Gnade
Hill Country Telephone Cooperative
Nueces Frio Sabinal Soil and Water Scholarship
Order of the Eastern Star - Hondo
Sam Moore Memorial Golf
Slade Bomer Memorial Scholarship
Texas Farm Bureau
Utopia Arts & Crafts
Utopia ISD Memorial
Utopia Lions Club
Utopia Masons
Utopia Memorial Golf
Utopia United Methodist Church
Candid Career, (2021). https://www.candidcareer.com/samplevideos.php
Play Claim Your Future! to explore education after high school, future careers, and money management.
https://www.claimyourfuture.org/play/
Claim Your Future, (2020). Finance Authority of Maine. https://fame.claimyourfuture.org/student-registration/
My Next Move, (2021). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.mynextmove.org/
This Workforce Solutions document has hard facts about some popular career choices such as wages, employment growth, annual job openings, and education requirements.
https://www.wrksolutions.com/Documents/WhenIGrowUp/WIGU_PDFS/WFS-HSHG-hardfacts.pdf
This Workforce Solutions document includes education versus earnings data as well as job search tips for teens with pointers on job applications, references, resumes, and interviews.
https://www.wrksolutions.com/Documents/WhenIGrowUp/WIGU_PDFS/Middle_School/TWS-TeenTipSheet.pdf
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, (2020). State occupational employment and wage estimates for Texas. https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oessrcst.htm
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2020 State Occupational Employment and Wage Estimates for Texas.
Details by occupation the average wage, number of people employed, and if there is an increase or decrease in employment.
Before selecting a career it is important to research the demand and earnings in this field.
Once you have taken a career test then your score will be coded according to how your interests and skills fit into six basic categories developed by Dr. John L. Holland in his RIASEC system. Although you cannot rely on career tests to determine your future with 100% accuracy they are very useful tools to give you a starting point from which to work.
BUILDING REALISTIC
Building jobs involve the use of tools, machines, or physical skill. Builders like working with their hands and bodies, working with plants and animals, and working outdoors.
THINKING INVESTIGATIVE
Thinking jobs involve theory, research, and intellectual inquiry. Thinkers like working with ideas and concepts, and enjoy science, technology, and academia.
CREATING ARTISTIC
Creating jobs involve art, design, language, and self-expression. Creators like working in unstructured environments and producing something unique.
HELPING SOCIAL
Helping jobs involve assisting, teaching, coaching, and serving other people. Helpers like working in cooperative environments to improve the lives of others.
PERSUADING ENTERPRISING
Persuading jobs involve leading, motivating, and influencing others. Persuaders like working in positions of power to make decisions and carry out projects.
ORGANIZING CONVENTIONAL
Organizing jobs involve managing data, information, and processes. Organizers like to work in structured environments to complete tasks with precision and accuracy.
Truity, (2020). How to use Holland codes to find the right career. https://www.truity.com/page/holland-code-riasec-theory-career-choice
Every September the junior class takes the ASVAB or Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery. It not only determines aptitude for entry into a career in the military it also guides students in career choice. Please take some time to work on the practice test so that you can score the best possible score.
Novoresume, (2021). How to write a resume in 2021. Beginners guide. https://novoresume.com/career-blog/how-to-write-a-resume-guide
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