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My Diploma        My Records        Work Options        Further Education

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My Diploma - Once you receive your diploma - put is in a safe place for all to see. Here is your proof for all that you graduated from high school. Your diploma is not however, the most important document.    

My Records - Hopefully you have been saving everything to this point. You never know when it will come in handy. 
        Very important - your High School Transcript! You should ALWAYS have a copy of this document. Also, if it is not on your transcript, you should have a record of your ACT/SAT test scores. Both of these items will be important, especially if you are going to attend a higher education institution. Even if college or vo-tech is not in your immediate plans, keep these things in case you change your mind. Often, employers will want to see these things early in your career.
     You may also be given your permanent file from your school. Do not automatically throw everything away. You should take it home and keep all the information for at least 5 years. You never know what you may need. You should also get input from your parents about what should be kept and where.

Work Options - Hopefully by now you have made plans for the summer and the next year. (See My Senior Year). If not, get to it. While most of us wish we had the opportunity to lay around, travel Europe, etc., but it is not a reality for most of us. Graduating seniors often have a head start for summer employment as they are available earlier in the summer before seasonal employees and college students return home for the summer.       

   If you are looking for permanent employment, the sooner you get started the better. You never know when a company may be hiring, so check now or you may miss an opportunity. If you "wait for the next opportunity", it may never come. Get a resume put together and get out and start letting employers know who you are.

Further Education - What to do? Even if college or vo-tech is not the answer for you, at some point you will require some kind of training or education to advance in your career. Make plans and know what is ahead. If you leave high school and enter the workforce, find out from your employer what you can do to advance faster. Don't wait...take the initiative and go get it!

    If you are going to college or a vo-tech, or some other sort of school, know admissions deadlines, entry requirements, costs, and get organized as soon as possible. Some students work a year before college...which is fine, but that doesn't mean you can sit around and not worry about the details...get started now!

revised 11/01/02