Are You Ready?

Charting a course to college and the workplace can be full of speed bumps, road blocks, and detours. The following tips can help you prepare for the journey and reach your final destination of career success after high school.

1. Request Your Transcript – Before applying to college or a career training program, make sure to request an up-to-date copy of your high school transcript. Admission counselors will need to review your official grades to determine whether you qualify for various academic and professional programs.

2. Create a Resume and a List of your Extracurricular Activities – Employers and college admission officers not only want to see that you’re a good student, but also want to know that you’re well-rounded and can adjust to the demands of college or life in the workplace.  A good resume highlighting your academic achievements and extracurricular activities will help distinguish you from other candidates and demonstrate your passion and leadership experience. On your resume, detail awards and recognitions you received throughout high school as well any technical skills you possess. Don’t forget to include previous work experience, community service activities and internships.  If you’re having trouble composing your resume, ask your guidance counselor for help.

3. Collect References and Letters of Recommendation – Whether entering college or the job market, it is important to have recommendations or references from teachers and counselors who can speak to your academic achievement and work ethic. When deciding who to ask for recommendations, target teachers, counselors, or coaches that you’ve had the most interaction with and in whose classes you’ve excelled. Give your recommender at least two weeks to draft your letter, seeing whereas they may have other students asking for application references.  Asking too close to your application deadline or job interview may hurt the quality of the recommendation you receive. As a courtesy, give your recommender a copy of your resume or a list of extracurricular activities they can reference when writing. Finally, always remember to send a thank you note and obtain multiple copies of your letter.

4. Collect Financial Documents – For the college bound, parental/guardian income tax statements are necessary to complete the FAFSA and the DC OneApp. Financial statements of income may also be necessary to apply for need-based grants and scholarships. The earlier you collect these documents, the sooner you can complete Financial Aid applications and determine which universities may be the best financial fit for you.  If headed to the workplace, compiling recent income statements can help you develop a personal budget and target professions within your desired salary range.   

5. Begin your Career and College Search Early – With the job market still recovering from the economic recession it is imperative that you begin your job and college search early. The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that it takes the average job-seeker 10 weeks to secure employment.   Whether you’re seeking long-term career opportunities or simply a summer job or internship before college, begin your search at least six months prior to graduation. Explore possible career fields by conducting informational interviews with professionals in your fields of interest. Always remember to research academic and career training programs and if possible, visit worksites and university campuses to gain an understanding of employee expectations and program requirements.

With early preparation and proper planning, you can find the college and career field that is the best fit for you.

[1] Ilg, Randy. “How Long Before the Unemployed Find Jobs or Quit Looking?” Issues in Labor Statistics. US Bureau of Labor Statistics. May 2011. http://www.bls.gov/opub/ils/pdf/opbils89.pdf.