Apprenticeship is a post-secondary option that combines on-the-job training with formal instruction that is sponsored by employers or labor/management organizations. Apprenticeships help create a skilled workforce in various trades and industries. 

• Northcentral Technical College is the local educational partner for Apprenticeships. More detailed information can be found at the NTC Apprenticeship website. 

• The Department of Public Instruction has an Apprenticeship Awareness Toolkit that includes printable information and videos about apprenticeships.

• The Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development also has resources and information on its website. 

High school students have the opportunity to start out in a Youth Apprenticeship program. Please see Mrs. Fuller, business education teacher and Youth Apprenticeship coordinator at Wausau West, for more details about YA opportunities. 

High school is time to learn about your strengths, talents and interests while exploring classroom and extracurricular opportunities. Check out these resources to help you in your career decision process!

Academic and Career Planning (ACP): All Wisconsin public school students in grades 6-12 are developing Academic and Career Plans guided by parents, teachers and counselors. This plan is a step-by-step process that leads students through a series of tasks that provide direction towards career decisions. Wausau West students will participate in ACP activities through Homerooms, classes and presentations. View our introductory video to learn more!

Xello (formerly Career Cruising): Visit Xello by going to the Wausau West website, selecting "Students" at the top of the page, followed by selecting "Career Cruising". You will be asked to sign into Google and your Google sign in also signs you into Xello! Take a career assessment, learn about career options and save items to your ACP portfolio.

Career One Stop: Watch videos that highlight various career paths.

O*Net: Find detailed descriptions of occupations. The content is developed under the sponsorship of the U.S. Dept. of Labor/Employment and Training.

Wausau West Career Planning & Course Registration Handbook: Use your Wausau West Career Planning & Course Registration Handbook to learn more about the specific courses that we offer that align with your career interests. The Career Clusters pages are great resources for careers in each cluster and courses and extracurricular activities that are recommended for students interested in each career pathway.

Wisconsin Health Careers: Learn about health careers, what types of classes to consider taking, and the employment projections for Wisconsin.

Check out the videos below, highlighting how Career and Technical Education courses can help with career exploration and how the economy has in-demand jobs for students who are not solely interested in 4-yr degrees. 

What Test Do I Need To Take?

If you are planning to apply to a 2yr or 4yr college or university, you will need to take the ACT or SAT. All juniors will take the ACT at West during second semester.  It is NOT necessary to take both tests unless there is a specific need, such as applying to a highly selective college that prefers the SAT or a requirement as a semifinalist in the National Merit program. The SAT is offered at Wausau East.

Northcentral Technical College accepts ACT scores, as do other Wisconsin technical colleges. 

ACT

The ACT assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. The test consists of 215 multiple choice questions in four areas : English, Mathematics, Reading and Science. An additional optional test, the Writing Test, measures skills in planning and writing a short essay. The composite maximum score is 36. Some colleges require students to take the Writing Test so be sure to check the admission guidelines. Since 2015, all juniors in Wisconsin are required to take the ACT plus Writing Test in the spring. The test takes place at school and is free.

How do I prepare for the ACT or SAT?

Check out these websites for free test prep materials. You can also pick up a practice booklet in the Counseling Office or Career Center. Test prep books are also available for checkout in the Counseling Office and Career Center.

ACT Test Prep Resources                      SAT Prep Resources-The College Board               

Number 2 (ACT and SAT prep)            Wausau West Counseling Department-ACT Prep Resources

How do I register for the ACT?

Register online to retake the ACT. You will need to know your ACT ID number, which is located on the letter you received from ACT after you took the test at West. You must upload a photo of yourself to complete the registration (your photo on the portal is the ideal photo to upload). You can go the the Career Center for help. Note: Fee waivers are available for those students who are eligible. See your counselor for more information. 

How do I register for the SAT? 

Go to www.collegeboard.org to register online. Note: Fee waivers are available for students who are eligible. See your counselor for more information. 

The UW System has 26 campuses which includes 13 four-year universities and 13 two-year branch campuses. 

UW Help                                

Major Mania                        

UW Application         

The Common Application (an option for applying to UW-Madison and UW-Stevens Point)

UW Campus Profiles          

Wisconsin's Association of Independent Colleges & Universities (non-profit) has 23 campuses.

Campus Information          Admissions Information

Majors & Minors                  Paying for College

The Wisconsin Technical College System consists of 16 technical colleges.

Campus Information          Career Programs

WTCS Applications              Northcentral Technical College

600+ Virtual College Tours: You Visit

Research College Options: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

Compare colleges! Use this online tool: Compare Colleges and Universities: bigfuture

Job shadowing is a way to spend a few hours with a professional in a career that interests you. You can learn more about the job, the background or education needed for the position, and see what a typical day in that occupation involves. A job shadow is a one-day, two to three hour experience.

To sign up for a job shadow, see the Career Center Coordinator. You will be invited to a Job Shadow Workshop where you will be given the necessary forms and information to apply, schedule, and complete a job shadow.

Students are responsible for contacting potential job shadow sites. The Job Shadow Workshop will provide tips and suggestions for contacting local businesses and professionals. Students must meet with the Career Center Coordinator before setting up a job shadow during the school year. Job shadows that are arranged over the summer do not require the assistance of the Career Center Coordinator.

There are five branches of the military that you may consider as a career option. They include the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps and Navy in addition to their respective Guard and Reserve units. Local recruiters may visit Wausau West and be available to speak with students who are interested in learning more about career options and educational benefits. 

More information about joining the military:  Today's Military

Selective Service

All males must register for the Selective Service when they turn 18. Failure to register will result in up to a 5 year prison sentence or a $250,000 fine. Failure to register will also disqualify male students from qualifying for federal student loans or grants and state and federal jobs.

ASVAB

The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) can assess academic ability and predict success in a wide variety of military and civilian occupations. Students will learn how their verbal, math, science and technical skills compare to other students in the same grade level. Juniors and seniors who are either interested the military or general career exploration are eligible to take the ASVAB in the fall, when it is offered in the Career Center. The Career Center has information about signing up to take the ASVAB at West and ASVAB prep books are available.

Official Site of the ASVAB                    Military.com ASVAB information

Summer Enrichment Opportunities

Each year, Wausau West is given money to help support student enrichment activities. If you are interested in pursuing a summer educational opportunity, you may be awarded funds to help you pay for a portion of it. To apply for a Summer Enrichment Scholarship, complete the application and see a current list of summer opportunities updated on the Counseling website when available. 

Volunteering your time is a great way to share a special skill or talent, explore a career of interest, and give back to our community. A volunteer opportunity may be a one-time event or a regularly scheduled commitment. 

The following are some of the many local organizations that have volunteer opportunities for high school students:

United Way of Marathon County                     Big Brothers Big Sisters                                   Aspirus       

Humane Society of Marathon County           New Life Pet Adoption Center            AmeriCorps (17+)

Wausau West Work Permit Information

Work permit requirements:

• Any student under the age of 16 is required to have a work permit to work

• Employers must have a work permit on file for the student before the student is allowed to begin work

Items need for a work permit:

• Student's birth certificate OR other proof of age (valid Wisconsin driver's license, Wisconsin-issued identification card, or verified baptismal certificate)

• Student's social security card

• Letter from the employer expressing intent to hire (including job duties and hours of work)

• A written parent's consent

• $10 permit fee (to be reimbursed by the employer)

Where to get a work permit:

• Wausau West students can get a work permit in the Attendance Office

• If the Attendance Office is not open, students may get a work permit from the West Main Office