Next step prep for high school juniors and seniors
We went straight to the source… OCHS College and Career Counselor Tobi Oves
If you’re a high school junior or senior ready to turn that tassel and look toward the future, the options out there are longer than a Snapchat streak. To help navigate, we asked OCHS College and Career Counselor Tobi Oves for a suggested list of what to do now (and in the future) to achieve your education and/or career goals. – Stef Godfrey
If you want to go into the military
Contact recruiters this year to explore careers, educational opportunities and incentives. Take the ASVAB to determine skill level in various areas.
If you want to go to a military academy
Begin your file with the senators and your congressional representative by contacting their offices. Summer camps are offered for students between junior and senior year. Explore at www.usma.edu, www.usafa.af.mil, www.usna.edu. Attend an All Academy Day. Take SAT and/or ACT and forward scores to senators and representative. Turn in all applications by deadlines.
You want to do an apprenticeship
Visit the NJ Career Connections website at http://careerconnections.nj.gov.
You want to go into a career field
Investigate careers available without post-secondary education. Make an appointment with your counselor to review career interest inventory on Naviance. Attend your school’s job fair. Visit websites: bls.gov/oco, www.state.nj.us/nj/employ/, www.monster.com, www.indeed.com.
You want to go to a two year college or technical school
Investigate possible programs on Naviance. Make an appointment and visit the institution. Attend college fairs. Fill out the FAFSA to see if you qualify for financial aid. Meet with college or tech school representatives when possible.
You want to go to a four-year institution/university/college
Investigate career and college options with Naviance. Visit several college campuses. Attend college fairs. Meet with college representatives whenever possible. Talk to your counselor. Help them get to know you so they can write informed letters of recommendation. Provide teachers with two to three weeks to write letters of recommendation. Register for the SAT and/or ACT. Plan to take the test at least twice and no later than December of senior year. It’s recommended you take the SAT three times and the ACT once or twice. Visit college websites to determine net price. Register for an FSA ID for both student and parent or guardian. Start filling out the FAFSA November of senior year – www.fafsa.ed.gov. Volunteer in the community and keep an updated list of activities.