Career & Life Planning

A chronological guide to the student planning process for college and career preparation

9th Grade

Students continue to update digital portfolios using Career Cruising. Requirements include: career research, skill exploration, learning style inventories, education plans, career pathways, extracurricular activity and interest review, and resume building.

Students take Success 101. This class allows students to identify possible career interests, research those interests, possibly take part in a mentorship in one of those areas, and end the year with an online 10-year plan.

The Pre-ACT is given in October to all 9th graders. (This is a new KSDE funded initiative)

Counselors plan a winter career fair for all 9th graders, with various industry professionals, based on student choices.

Counselors meet with all 9th graders, outlining the enrollment process with an emphasis on graduation progress; new classes; choice of WU Tech, pathway choices, etc.

Students enroll in next year’s courses during their career & life planning class during a two-week window in February.

Schedules for the upcoming year are posted in PowerSchool in late May or early June.

Schedule changes can be made two weeks after the last day of school via email or with a visit to the high school counseling office.

10th Grade

Students continue to update digital portfolios using Career Cruising. Requirements include: career and college research, learning style inventories, education plans, career pathways, extracurricular activity and interest review, and resume building.

Students meet with high school college & career advocates once each semester to match up student interests with future career choices.

The Pre-ACT is offered in October to all 10th graders.

February Parent-Teacher Conferences are student-led and focused on career planning.

The Spring Career Fair is held every other year, for students to gain insight into those skills necessary for success in possible career choices.

Counselors meet with all 11th graders outlining the enrollment process with an emphasis on graduation progress, new classes, choice of WU Tech, dual credit, ACT, etc.

Students enroll in next year’s courses during their career & life planning class during a two-week window in February.

Schedules for the upcoming year are posted in PowerSchool in late May or early June.

Schedule changes can be made two weeks after the last day of school via email or with a visit to the high school counseling office.

11th Grade

Students continue to update digital portfolios using Career Cruising. Requirements include: career and college research, learning style inventories, education plans, career pathways, extracurricular activity and interest review, financial aid review, and resume building.

Students meet with high school college & career advocates once each semester to match up student interests with future career choices.

Students take the ACT in February during the school day at no cost. There is an opt out option.

Students take the Work Keys Assessment in February during the school day at no cost. There is an opt out option. Some employers in Kansas use this assessment in the hiring process.

Students are encouraged to make college visits throughout the year.

February Parent-Teacher Conferences are student-led and focused on career planning.

The Spring Career Fair is held every other year, for students to gain insight into those skills necessary for success in possible career choices.

Students may apply for the senior internship program. A student internship is a career preparation activity which students are placed at a work site for a defined period of time to participate in and observe work firsthand within a given industry.

Counselors meet with all 11th graders outlining the enrollment process with an emphasis on graduation progress, new classes, choice of WU Tech, dual credit, ACT, etc.

Students enroll in next year’s courses during their career & life planning class during a two-week window in February.

Schedules for the upcoming year are posted in PowerSchool in late May or early June.

Schedule changes can be made two weeks after the last day of school via email or with a visit to the high school counseling office.

12th Grade
Students continue to update their digital portfolio using Career Cruising. Requirements include: career and college research, learning style inventories, education plans, career pathways, extracurricular activity and interest review, financial aid review, and resume building.

Students meet with high school college & career advocate once each semester to match up student interest with future career choices.

October Parent-Teacher Conferences are based on Career Planning.

Counselors conduct a college meeting with students to talk financial aide/FAFSA with help from Washburn University.

The Spring Career Fair is held every other year, for students to gain insight into those skills necessary for success in possible career choices.

Senior internship students investigate careers by gaining firsthand experience in professional fields.

Post Secondary

Teachers make follow-up phone calls to recent graduates to review the student’s post secondary plans.