College and Career Readiness

Students interested in the Enrollment pathway are wanting to continue their education after high school. Each type of school will open up different doors, so it is important to research and make a choice based on your goals and interests.

Review the major options for earning a degree after high school:

• Colleges and Universities offer different programs depending on the goal of the student.
  • Students can choose to earn a 2-year Associate’s degree, which can help build a body of knowledge that can prepare students for a career or further education.
  • Students can also complete a 4-year Bachelor’s degree to prepare them for work in fields like business, engineering, and teaching. They can also continue on to graduate school for careers in medicine, law or other fields. 
• Technical Colleges offer certifications or licenses in specialized programs and typically take two years or less to finish. They prepare students for the specific career that they want, so students would only take classes related to their career interest. 

Students interested in the Enrollment pathway should also consider the Dual Enrollment and Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, which give students the opportunity to earn college credits while completing High School.

If this seems like the path for you, begin your college search and talk to your BRACE Advisor about the application process.

Now is a great time to also apply for scholarships! And, if you are interested in getting FREE MONEY for college, be sure to complete the FAFSA!

Students interested in the Enlistment pathway want to serve their country by joining the US military. There are 6 branches of the US military:

• United States Air Force
• United States Army
• United States Coast Guard
• United States Marines Corps
• United States Navy
• United States Space Force

Each branch offers a wide variety of occupations and provides on-going training that can eventually translate to civilian work. 

If this seems like the path for you learn more about enlistment and talk to your BRACE Advisor about meeting with a recruiter.

Students interested in the Employment pathway are ready to join the workforce. There are many jobs available for students who have just graduated high school. To increase earning potential, students should consider exploring apprenticeship programs, which provide on-the-job training and education while earning a wage. Volunteering is also a good way to get experience in fields of interest and could be used to boost one’s resume.

If this seems like the path for you learn more about potential careers and talk to your BRACE Advisor  and login to Xello to get more information about volunteer and apprenticeship opportunities.

Students interested in the Exploration pathway may want to take a short break from school or want to increase their skills before starting a career. This break is called a gap year, a set amount of time for planned practical learning. A gap year gives students time to explore their interests while planning their career or academic options. Students can choose a gap year program based on their next steps and the experience they gain from a gap year can be used on college applications and job resumes.

Some students/families don’t think about taking a gap year due to finances, but most gap year programs offer financial aid with FAFSA. Students can even start a gap year program with scholarships.

If this seems like the path for you learn more about taking a gap year and talk to your BRACE Advisor about finding a program.