The Planning Page        The Counselor's Page

Okay, you are at the half way point of your high school career...the fun is just starting - but so is the work. During your Junior year, it is time to start getting serious about your "after high school" plans.

1. Testing - Yep- it is now time to get going on getting ready for college placement exams. Please refer to the Testing Recommendations page for what you should be doing in regards to these tests.

2. Honors and Advanced Placement Classes - If you plan to attend college, you need to challenge yourself. Try to take at least three honors or advanced placement courses. These course are NOT for everyone, and you can still go to college without taking them, so think it over. Many students do not take such a class becasue one may not be offered, or offered in their area of interest.

3. The Community Service Trail - By now, you SHOULD be taking part in some sort of volunteer and / or community service. It will make you feel good about yourself, and help with much needed references and scholarship applications (refer to the freshmen and sophomore pages for more details).

4. Resume Planning - If you have not started working on a resume, you should. Use information from your school transcripts, activities and awards lists, and work experience (paid and voluntary), and get started. There are several websites to help you (as well as your school counsleor or school Bsusiness teacher). Check out the "Resume" section on the Careers Page on The Counselor's Page website.

5. Career Search - Hopefully by now you have begun to narrow down your options (remember - you have plenty of time and many people do switch directions after high school - it's just better to have a plan and know which direction to go now). Use websites like The Career Page (link in Section 4) and your school's resources to get specific. Narrow your choices to 6-10 occupations and begin to research;
    A. What the specifics of the job are; What would I do? What would I get paid? Where would I live? Does it interest me? and more...
    B. What training and / or education would I need; Are there classes I could take now that would help? What classes would I need in college, or vo-tech school, or is it on the job training? Do I want to commit to that much work / education (example; to be a doctor requires many years of school and work before reaping the final benefit).
    C. Money is Nice...but is that what I really want to do, and do I have the ability to do it?

6. Post Graduate Schools; As a junior you need to start thinking about where to receive any training or education that I will need. If I want to be an Anthropologist, I need to find a school that offers a degree, and can get me a job upon graduation. (See Choosing a School page for more information). Some schools may offer more money, or better job placement. Start looking now...you may even want to visit (more details on the Choosing a School page).