Who are your counselors?  As we move further along the post- secondary process, students will have two counselors!  Mrs. Markowitz- counselor for the class of  Mr. Carroll- the Post-Secondary/ Career counselor.

Two counselors? HUH?  An easy way to think of your two counselors is CatDog.  Where the other one stops is where the other one begins, but they never split apart!

So what do they do… You should go to…  Mrs. Markowitz for: academic and course selection questions, brag sheets, Spark detector (more to follow), and emergencies.  Mr. Carroll for: career and post secondary questions regarding picking a career/college, applications, high school transcripts, college deadlines, Spark champion (more to follow) and emergencies.

Theme What is your “Spark?” 100% of kids understand and seek Sparks

Where to start? Find the Spark!

How adults can help fuel the Spark?  Talk to children about their Spark. If they do not think they have a Spark, suggest Sparks that you see!  Help eliminate obstacles that might be in their way.  Only 43% of young people feel that they receive support from 3 or more non-parent adults.  Be a Spark champion!

Remember… It is your child’s Spark, not yours. Allow your child to research their Spark on their own. Let them come up with their own conclusions about a Spark.

What Sparks become…  College majors.  Life long professions.  Hobbies.

Current trends…  Facts: By 2018, 60% of jobs will require college education. Unemployment for someone with a college degree- 4.5%. Unemployment for someone with no college degree- 8.3%. 48% of college graduates in 2010 are working in a job that require only a high school diploma. overeducated_n_ html?utm_hp_ref=college&ir=College

21 st century “realities…” Median salary for a two year degree is $45,000

College debt trend…  2013 From the average student debt went from $17,233 to $27,253. Student loan debt tops all other forms of consumer debt in America. Pennsylvania ranked 2 nd in students with the most debt. ○ 70% of students have debt. ○ Average debt- $29,959 unsustainable_n_ html

Looking for opportunities…  Top 10 bachelors degrees (in demand) 1. Finance 2. Computer and information science 3. Accounting 4. Business administration and management 5. Mechanical engineering 6. Management information systems 7. Electrical engineering 8. Computer engineering 9. Marketing/Marketing management 10. Economics NACE: The Job Outlook for the College Class of 2013

Looking for opportunities, continued  Top 5 fast-growing, high paying, non- bachelor required jobs 1. Environmental science and protection technicians. 2. Skin care specialist. 3. Gaming-surveillance officers and game investigators. 4. Dental assistants 5. Dental hygienist required/slide/6/

National top growing fields Top 15 growing fields:  Network systems and data communication analyst.  Personal care and home aides.  Home health aides.  Computing applications software engineers.  Veterinary technologist and technicians.  Personal financial advisors.  Theatrical and performance makeup artist.

National top growing fields, continued  Medical assistants.  Veterinarians.  Substance abuse and behavioral disorder counselors.  Skin care specialist.  Financial analyst.  Social and human service assistants.  Gaming surveillance officers and gaming investigators.  Physical therapy assistants.

Growing industries in Chester County  Industries: Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. ○ Computer system design and related services Health Care and Social Assistance. ○ Individual family services, home health care services Admin. Support and Waste Mgmt. Services. ○ Services to buildings and dwellings, Employment services

Declining industries in Chester County  Industries: Construction. ○ Building equipment contractors Hospitality and Food Services. ○ Restaurants and other eating places Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services. ○ Architectural, Engineering, and related services. Pa Workforce- Fast Facts Chester County

Increasing your chances… See if you can do any of these during high school: Job shadowing Internships (typically summer experiences) Volunteer Go to field related conferences Participate in Bring Your Child to Work Day As many as 1 in 3 students do not return to college after their 1 st year* 1 shadowing experience = 32% higher retention rate in college 1 internship experience = 52% higher retention rate in college *US News and World Report

So what can you do now…  Following the AGHS timeline will help make the transition from Junior year to Senior year as easy as possible.

Timeline…  Fall Challenge yourself academically. Get involved in activities and clubs. Took PSATs. Classroom presentations- use the resources. Updated social media presence. Explore career options. ○ Self-assessment tests. ○ Search targeted careers. Considering technical path, check out TCHS

Timeline…  Loooooong Winter Break! Search college majors that connect to your Spark (see resource list). Go on fiskeguide.com and take the Sizing Yourself Up Survey. Register for finaid.org and other scholarship sites.

Timeline…  Winter-Besides keeping warm, you can… Use your PSAT results- mycollegequickstart Register for SAT/ACT test. Sign up for any college visitations. During course selection, sign up for courses related to your career path.

2014 SATs test dates Mar. 8 th Registration Feb. 7th Late Feb. 21 st May 3 rd Registration April 4 th Late April 18 th June 7 th Registration May 9 th Late May 23 rd SAT

2014 ACT test dates Feb. 8 th Registratio n Jan. 10 th Late Jan th April 12th Registration Mar. 7 th Late Mar st June 14 th Registration May 9 th Late May rd ACT

Timeline…  Spring Complete “Brag Sheet.” Pick teachers/recommenders. Create a student activity resume. Visit post-secondary schools. ○ Use the Tips and Trick to College Touring Begin brainstorming college essay responses. If you are considering being a student athlete, go to ncaa.org and register. Attend Junior Family Night- Tips and Timeline Part II

The end… Until Part II