Oh, the Options!

1. Oh, the Options! Information for what you can do after high school and how to prepare for that NOW!

2. Objectives: • Identify 3 options after high school • Know where to look in AL for job assistance • Understand military options and requirements • Classify school choices depending on training requirements • Use various websites to learn more about your options

3. Immediate Options after High School • Work • Military • Additional School: • Career training/apprenticeship • Vocational/trade school • 2-year technical/community college • 4-year college/university

4. The World of Work • Make a career goal • Do research to find out what industries & companies available & requirements • Prepare yourself through training • Create a resume • Hidden job market = 70% of jobs • You have to find it…it will not find you!

5. Job Assistance in Alabamawww.joblink.alabama.gov/ada/ • Employment Service • CareerLink/WIA • Vocational Rehabilitation • Human Resources • Postsecondary/Adult Education • Veterans Administration • Computer And Internet Access • Career & Skills Assessments • Career Exploration & Preparation Tools • Training & Education Resources • Skills Training • Resume Development • Community Resources

6. Military Optionswww.todaysmilitary.com • Information on each branch w/ links • Entrance requirements • Career options: during & after serving • Benefits explanation • Military academies & colleges • Other website: • www.military.com

7. Vocational/Trade School • Fast track to a career • Offer programs in business, trade, technical, industrial & other related areas • Some schools only offer one are of study, like a cosmetology school • Examples in AL: Herzing, ITT Tech, Virginia

8. Two-Year Collegehttp://www.accs.cc/ • Earn an Associate degree or a certification in a technical area • Can use as a stepping stone to transfer to a college/university http://stars.troy.edu • Must graduate from high school or get your GED • Don’t have to take the ACT/SAT, but can • If don’t take ACT/SAT, you’ll take the COMPASS placement test

9. Four-Year College/University • College: Any school that offers education after high school or a subdivision of a university, like the ‘College of Business’ • Earn a Bachelor’s Degree • University: A school that offers advanced degrees such as a master’s or doctorate degree • Earn a Bachelor’s & then possibly a Master’s, Doctorate, or Professional degree • Must graduate from high school or transfer from a community college • Each sets own gpa requirements & test score requirements • Must take ACT/SAT

10. College Informationwww.alabamamentor.org • In the “Career Center”, match your interests with careers or search for specific careers • Find admission requirements, take virtual tours, and link to AL colleges in the “Select a College” link • Use “Matching Assistant” to see which AL schools offer what you want • Use “Planning for College” link to access timelines to know when to do what • Use “Financial Aid” link to gain basic knowledge, estimate eligibility, search scholarships • Create a “MyMentor” account to apply online

11. Website Links:(Write these down!) • www.joblink.alabama.gov/ada/ • www.todaysmilitary.com • http://www.accs.cc/ • www.alabamamentor.org