College & Career Planning

There are countless options for you to choose as a career path, and that can sometimes be a bit daunting. Below are a few common career paths to check out the BigFuture Career Quiz.

Some things to consider when thinking about your future career:

• Identify interests and make career decisions. You are encouraged to visit websites such as: 
  • My Next Move
  • Career Zone
  • CareerOneStop
• Find out about what certification and degrees you will need to achieve your dream career. Talk to relatives, teachers, counselors about your career aspirations and connect with people working in your field of interests.
• Develop knowledge of the world of work. After identifying your interests, get involved in leadership activities, internships, and summer jobs.
• Talk to your school counselor about clubs and leadership activities within the school and outside of school. These activities will expose you to the world of work, help you develop skills, and encourage you to pick a career path. You may change your mind but this will help to think about your future.
• Begin to build a resume. For your first resume, follow the guidelines in this article on the balance.com
• Talk to your school counselor if you are not sure if you want to attend college immediately after high school. Your school counselor will help you child explore training programs such as: 
  • Year-UP
  • CUNY Career Path
  • Job Corps
  • Jobs to Build On
  • AmeriCorps
  • SUNY Educational Opportunity Centers (EOCs)
• Create a plan for your future. Get help to find colleges or training programs that will prepare you for your dream career.
• Try to write down a five-year plan for after high school.

Numerous colleges offer many different degrees. To help you narrow down what you want to study check out the BigFuture College Quiz.

Application Completion

During the month of October, all high schools are supporting seniors to kickstart their planning for after high school by completing at least one postsecondary application by October 30th. Seniors and their families are encouraged to participate in application completion activities at their schools and at home. Use the tips below to prepare to apply.

Stay on Top of Your Applications

Stay on top of your college and career applications by following these steps:

1. Learn about College and Career Programs

Take advantage of virtual tours, college fairs, info sessions, and fly-in programs to learn more about the college and career programs on your list. Visit Go College NY and My Next Move for more information.

2. Meet Your Match

Students who attend strong match colleges and programs graduate at higher rates. Consider these three factors:

• • Are you eligible academically based on your GPA and test scores?
  • How much financial aid is being offered by the college/program?
  • What type of learning environment and services do you need to be successful?

3. Make a Personalized List

Create a personalized list of 10-20 options. This may include college, certificate and/or job-training programs. Review your list with your school counselor, ask about eligibility for opportunity programs and fee waivers. Depending on your financial situation, you may qualify for free application to some schools.

4. Get Ready to Apply

Be sure to review your personalized list with a counselor and your family or an adult you trust. Remember to work on your college essay, supplemental documents, and make sure you have letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, and others. To get started on your first application, check out the CUNY application.

5. Keep Track of Deadlines

Use a calendar to manage deadlines. Once you submit your application, prepare to apply for financial aid to help you pay for college. Starting October 1st, you can complete the FAFSA and New York State Tuition Assistance Program applications.