Other Paths to success 2012

Presented By:Mr. Chip Harvey, M.Ed.Great Valley High School Counselor, Counseling Dept Chairperson

The World Of Work

Competitive Employment Quick Entry Into The Work Fore Traditionally Provides Less Long-Term Earning Potential Look for Opportunities for On-The-Job Training and

Advancement / Careers with a Future www.bls.gov/oco/ - Occupational outlook handbook

Be Aware Of Fringe Benefits (under the new health care act adult children can be covered by a parent policy until the age of 26 unless they have the option of coverage by their employer)

Consider Career Internship/ Work Release during this school year

Supportive Employment/ OVR – work with the transition coordinator regarding these programs.

Vocational / Technical andBusiness Schools

Career-related / Focused Cost Effective For Those Certain Of

Career Direction Relatively Rapid Training Period and

Entry Into The Work-Force Provides Certification Credits Generally Do Not Transfer

Community College / Junior College

Wide Variety of Programs High Level Support Available Many Offer Open Enrollment Cost Effective - DCCC $208.00 per credit

(WCU is $268.00 per credit) Credits Transfer To 4 Year Programs

(academic passport) Articulation Agreements Associate Degrees or Certification

United States Military Service Shop Around / Contact each branch ASVAB + Physical = Acceptance/Job

Qualification Free Training/College Credits Can Lead To Many Civilian Careers Economic Benefits /Money For College Hard Work / Pay Less Than Civilian

Careers You can be deployed into a war

Gap Year

What is a Gap Year?

A gap year is a term that refers to a prolonged period (often a year) between two major life stages. This is a very popular idea in Europe.

The most popular gap years are taken :

Between high school and college

Between college and graduate school

Between post-secondary program completion and full time employment

Reasons to take a Gap Year

To take an academic break To gain maturity To explore career options /participate

in an internship To participate in community service /

volunteer To travel the world/ expand global

understanding To work to earn money for college

How do I plan for a GAP Year Explore Options for Gap year experiences:

Websites, books, talk to your counselor Establish Goals for your Gap experience Apply to Colleges as if you are not

planning to participate in a Gap Year experience / talk to admissions representative about deferred enrollment. (few colleges offer this but it is getting more popular)

Complete the necessary applications/ sign –up process for the Gap Year experience

Gap Year Resources

WEBSITE: http://www.gapyear.com

BOOKS The Gap-Year Advantage: Helping Your Child Benefit from Time Off Before or

During College by Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson Taking Time Off by Gail Reardon Taking a Gap Year by Susan Griffith But What If I Don't Want to Go to College? A Guide to Success Through

Alternative Education by Harlow G. Unger. The Back Door Guide to Short-Term Job Adventures: Internships, Extraordinary

Experiences, Seasonal Jobs, Volunteering, Work Abroad by Michael Landes (not specifically for high-school students)

Alternatives to the Peace Corps: A Directory of Third World and U.S. Volunteer Opportunities (9th Ed.) by Joan Powell (Editor)

Travel

Can help an individual to mature Can help an individual become a

more dedicated student Retention of academic information

can be a problem It is best to apply to college as a

senior and defer admissions

Deferred Admission

Not all schools allow deferred admissions Must be a pre-approved by the school Most require a clearly defined reason Most do not allow you to attend another

school during the deferment Gap year, travel and military service are

the most common reasons for deferment Becoming much more acceptable among

US colleges and universities (Princeton just started a program this fall)

Peace Corp

Must be at least 18 years old and US citizen

Must have some work experience at the very least/ prefer community college/college graduates

At least a 27 month commitment Living allowance, medical benefits,

travel to and from home, student loan deferment

WWW.peacecorps.gov/

Questions ...