Jorge Rodriguez, College & Career Advisor

jrodriguez@jacksoncac.org

Jorge Rodriguez hails from the South Side of Chicago, where he spent his childhood, but comes to the CCAC from San Antonio, Texas. Jorge graduated from Texas State University with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Sociology. After completing an active-duty tour with the U.S. Navy, Mr. Rodriguez interned and pursued a position working with the Department of Family & Protective Services for the state of Texas. Most recently, Jorge moved to Michigan to explore new opportunities and achieve higher education. In his free time, Jorge enjoys exercising, lounging around and spending time with friends and family. Jorge’s other interests include traveling and sight-seeing.

Favorite Quote: Success is getting what you want. Happiness is wanting what you get.” - Andrew Carnegie 

The College and Career Access Center (CCAC) is a non-profit organization that opened its doors in 2008 and is located in the Jackson Crossing Mall. All of our services are free and open to the public. We also partner with each of the 13 districts, which host a College and Career Advisor at your high school a day and a half per week. Your advisor, along with your teachers and counselors, provides a continuum of support and coordination to assist students and families in understanding, accessing, and navigating available post-secondary systems- including 2- or 4-year colleges, skilled trades, military, or directly entering the workforce. Assisting students in effectively navigating these post-secondary waters ultimately supports their successful entry into the workforce.

Advisors coordinate and participate in post-secondary planning events within your district, including FAFSA, Scholarship, and Decision Day events.  These provide parents and students with career planning tools as well as scholarship and financial aid resources. Additionally, the CCAC provides an 8th grade initiative called, "Kids2College & Pathways to Professional Skilled Trades," which provides a curriculum and visit to a regional college and manufacturers, and also an initiative entitled "Juniors Over the Local Circuit," which provides an admissions presentation, lunch, and college tour to our three local colleges-Jackson College, Baker College, and Spring Arbor University.

The CCAC encourages match and fit for all students, believes in post-secondary planning with a dedicated advisor for all students, and encourages all students to view ongoing training and education as a means of achieving their goals after high school graduation.