Still have questions? Reach out to your school’s Career Coordinator to schedule a one-on-one meeting and get personalized support for your planning.
8th grade
Goal: Prepare
Learn about school counselors and the CCRC
Understand the transition to high school
Review elective courses and four-year planning
Learn what Integrated Career Services (ICS) means
Meet ICS staff: counselors, coordinators, and coaches
Get involved in clubs and activities
Prepare for your first job
Learn who the post-secondary counselor is
9th grade
Goal: Explore
Log in to SchooLinks and create your profile
Complete Find Your Path and Would You Rather surveys
Review results with your counselor and career coordinator
Explore My Plan and My Story
Create four-year course selections
Set career and academic SMART goals
Guest speakers and career panels
Volunteerism and community service
School-sponsored extracurricular activities
Introduction to post-secondary section of SchooLinks and Edmit
Learn about Return on Investment (ROI)
10th grade
Goal: Identify
Update your SchooLinks profile
Retake Find Your Path surveys
Update your career goal
Set a post-secondary training and education goal
Create a resume
Set an academic SMART goal
Guest speakers and career treks
Taking classes in your career pathway
Resume workshop
Volunteerism and community service
Revisit Edmit and post-secondary section of SchooLinks
Consider AP and dual credit courses
11th grade
Goal: Plan
Update your profile and career goal in SchooLinks
Retake Find Your Path surveys
Record volunteer hours
Track career experience hours
Update your resume
Set an academic SMART goal
Career panels and job shadow
Introduction to apprenticeships and trade schools
Part-time employment
Complete YouScience career interest and aptitude assessment
Advanced post-secondary SL and Edmit
Find colleges linked to your major
Visit colleges and training programs
Consider AP and dual credit courses
Personalized ROI career advisement
12th grade
Goal: Decide
Update profile and post-secondary goals in SchooLinks
Record volunteer and career experience hours
Continue to favorite occupations and post-secondary options
Career experience capstone
Part-time employment
Volunteerism and extracurriculars
Complete post-secondary applications and Common App
Apply for financial aid and scholarships
Write application essays
Commit to apprenticeship, 2-year, or 4-year college
Evaluate ROI to finalize your post-secondary plan
Use this guide to track your progress each year. Your Career Coordinator is available to help you work through each step — reach out to schedule a meeting.