College and Career Preparation is provided to all students in grades K-12.  Students receive college and career information through classroom lessons, workshops, career days, webinars, information sessions, field trips, and individual meetings. 

Career Readiness Advisor: Erin Isch

 CCR Weekly: For the most up-to-date information, please read our weekly HCPSS College & Career Readiness Newsletter

Career Exploration & Planning

• March 2Future:  This virtual postsecondary planning program is offered every other Wednesday evening at 7pm. The topics include all aspects of post high. All programs are recorded and published online.
• Naviance: Naviance is a college and career tool that offers interest inventories, college searches, and career information. Students in grades 9-12 can access and utilize all of the features in Naviance including their individualized results from the four AchieveWorks learning styles, skills, and personality inventories they completed.
• World of Work Requirement:  Maryland State Department of Education mandates that all high school students are required to participate in four-year planning, resume writing and a mock interview. These activities are supported by counselors and teachers. This year’s Junior Mock Interviews will take place March 20th & 21st 
• HCPSS Career and Technology Preparation:  HCPSS students can begin preparing for careers in high school by participating in a Career Academy. A Career Academy offers high school students with similar interests a unique opportunity to prepare for college and entry-level employment in the specific career areas listed below. Each Career Academy offers a recommended sequence of courses, internships, capstone projects, or research projects related to students' career goals, and the opportunity to earn college credit and/or industry certification while in high school.  A complete list of Career Academies offered through HCPSS is available online.

College Path

JumpStart/Dual Enrollment

Jump Start:  Students have the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school.  Students can take college credit classes at their high school or at HCC. 

2-Year College

Students attending a two-year college work toward an Associate’s Degree or a certification program.  Maryland has 16 community colleges all offering open-admission and affordable tuition.  Further, community colleges provide opportunities for transfer degrees, workforce training, and continued learning.  To learn about all Maryland Community Colleges click here.

Howard Community College

• Admissions and Advising:  Apply for admission and learn about the enrollment process.
• Degrees and Certificate Types:  Howard Community College offers Associate's Degrees, Certificate Programs and Letters of Recognition.  Visit this page to learn about all the programs within each of these programs.
• Career Paths Requiring an Associate’s Degree:  The Occupational Outlook Handbook delineates career paths that require an Associate’s Degree.

4-Year College

Students attending a four-year college or university work toward a Bachelor’s Degree in a specified major.  As of 2020, there were a total of 4,298 four-year institutions, of which 1,626 were public, 1687 were private, and 985 were private for-profit. 

College Planning Timeline

• College Planning Checklist: National Association of Admission Counseling is an organization of more than 26,000 professionals from around the world dedicated to serving students as they make choices about pursuing postsecondary education.  NACAC has created a four year planning timeline for high school students.

College Search Information

• Naviance:  Naviance is a college and career tool that offers interest inventories, college searches, and career information. Naviance is the mechanism by which counselors and teachers submit transcripts and letters of recommendation to colleges and universities on behalf of students.  All high school students in HCPSS have an account in Naviance.
• Big Future:  A college and career website maintained by The College Board. This is a comprehensive site that includes interest inventories, search engines, resources, blogs, scholarship information and more.
• HBCU Listing:   There are 107 colleges in the United States that are identified by the US Department of Education as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). 

Financial Aid:  Financial aid is money provided by an outside source to help pay for college or career school. Grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships help make college or career school affordable.  You can estimate your eligibility for federal student aid and your Student Aid Index (formerly known as Estimated Family Contribution) using the Federal Student Aid Estimator. 

• FAFSA Information & Resources
• Scholarship Database & Resources
• MSFAA:  The Maryland State Financial Aid Application (MSFAA) is available to applicants who are ineligible to receive federal aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 
• Undocumented Student Resources at Howard Community College.

Athletics in College:  Interested in continuing your athletic career in college?  Visit NCAA.org to understand the steps that need to be taken to be eligible to participate in college athletics.

• NCAA Future Athletes:  If you want to compete in NCAA sports, you need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.  Visit this site to register.  Additionally, this website provides resources and information on athletics in college.
• Our Three Divisions:  This website provides information on the three differences between Division 1, Division 2, and Division 3.
• NCAA Eligibility Worksheet: Families should use this editable worksheet and reference the NCAA list of approved courses linked here to ensure student eligibility.

College Admission Testing

• FairTest.org:  Fairtest.org maintains the list of colleges that do not require SAT or ACT for admission.
• SAT:  The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test created and administered by the College Board. 
• ACT:  The ACT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. It is a multiple-choice, pencil-and-paper test administered by ACT, Inc.
• PSAT:  The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test) is a standardized test administered by the College Board. It prepares you for the SAT and is administered in October to all 10th and 11th grade students during the school day.

College Application Process

In addition to their actual college application, students applying to college are required to submit transcripts and letters of recommendations to admission offices. The process to request transcripts and letters of recommendation is linked below:

• Transcript Request Process:  Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requires that schools receive written permission signed by parent/guardian before transcripts, including mid-year reports, letters by school based staff, and other student records can be released to a third party. This form is distributed to students to complete at the end of their Junior year (but can be completed Senior year if needed).
• College Application Checklist:  This is a checklist to follow as students apply to college. It details information on applying, requesting transcripts, letters of recommendation, and more.

Military Path

Comprising seven different branches, the military offers career training, health and retirement benefits, housing benefits, and tuition support. If your student is interested in pursuing the military upon graduation, feel free to contact the appropriate recruiter below.

Military Recruiter Contacts

• Army: SSG Jacqueline Mccusker, 410-964-8420
• Navy: OS2 Daniel Greenhill, 410-591-6097
• MD Army National Guard: SFC John Kauffman, 443-643-7435
• Marine Corps: SSgt Amanda Laguerre, 443-784-1174
• Air Force: TSgt Erik Brooks, 240-695-0022
• Coast Guard: OS1 Jhonnatan Correal, 410-747-3963

Apprenticeship Path

Apprenticeship is an industry-driven, high-quality career pathway where employers can develop and prepare their future workforce, and individuals can obtain paid work experience, classroom instruction, and a portable, nationally-recognized credential.    

HCPSS Apprenticeship Opportunities:

• Apprenticeship Maryland:  Apprenticeship Maryland is a graduation pathway for seniors in HCPSS, who are interested in employment and further education based on a career pathway. Apprenticeships opportunities are constantly growing as the county adds more businesses/sponsors. You can view the most updated list here.

Apprenticeships beyond HCPSS:    

• Maryland Department of Labor and Licensing:  This is the  official website to start your journey on becoming an apprentice in Maryland. 
• Howard Community College Apprenticeship Programs:  HCC offers several “earn while you learn” programs, including Biomedical Engineering Technology, Surgical Technologist, Licensed Practical Nurse, Information Technology.  They also offer the more traditional apprenticeships, such as Plumbing, HVAC, and Electrical.

Tradeschool Path

A trade school is a postsecondary educational institution designed to train students for a specific job in a skilled trade career. Trade school offers hands-on training to prepare students for actual work in their chosen field. There are more than one hundred twenty-five private career schools in Maryland that offer training in a variety of fields. Before enrolling, make sure the school is accredited, inquire about the total program cost, complete the FAFSA, and visit the school to observe classes.

• Maryland Workforce Exchange: Job seeking skills and job search maintained by the State of Maryland.
• Private Career Schools and Programs in Maryland: A list maintained by the Maryland Higher Education Commission.
• Vocational and Skilled Trade Schools: Search for vocational and trade schools by type of program, location or online learning options.

 

Post-Secondary Google Calendar