Career Orientation and High School Students

Career Orientation and High School Students Jennifer A. Kuntz, M.ED Holy Family University Counseling 511 Jkuntz@holyfamily.edu www.jkuntz425.angelfire.com

A Video Introduction for this Presentation Video Introduction: Click Here

Statistics As per the National Center for Education Statistics in 2003: Only 32% of African Americans were enrolled in college ( National Center for Education Statistics 2005) Only 23% of Latinos were enrolled in college as oppose to 42% of Caucasians who were enrolled in college (NCES 2005) These stats have several contributing factors such as: socioeconomic status, demographics, etc. These statistics can change with the help of school counselors, parents, state and federal grants and programs. In today’s era, it seems that students are unsure about their future plans. As a school counselor, one should recognize this uncertainty and begin the career planning phase with students as early as possible. This phase can begin as early as a student entering into ninth grade and planning his or her academic career.

Achievement Test Websites The following slides describe and list several links to websites that can provide information regarding the academic achievement tests that students are required to take for college entrance. Some of the information that is provided on these websites are: Stress Management techniques Test Taking Techniques to improve test scores History of Stanford Achievement Test

History of SAT http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SAT Wikipedia is an informational Website that will provide the history of the Stanford Achievement Test. This website is appropriate for school counselors who are working with students who are at the beginning of their career planning. This website can give student’s better understanding of why colleges look at the SAT scores.

http://www.actstudent.org/wwm/index.html This website discusses the standardized test known as ACT as well as several different career paths for students. This website is very useful for students and counselors to use together.

http://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/glossar1/p/achievementtest.htmhttp://learningdisabilities.about.com/od/glossar1/p/achievementtest.htm This website discusses the reasons why there is standardized testing as well as how the tests are scored. This website is very useful for parents who are looking to help their child do better on a test, understand what the test results mean, and the impact of the test scores on the child’s entrance into college. http://www.kidsource.com/kidsource/content/standardized.testing.html This website also helps parents work with their children to do well on standardized tests. This information can be useful for counselors who are working with parents and students who might be having a tough time with standardized testing.

How to Improve SAT test scores • http://www.ehow.com/how_2104366_improve-stanford-achievement-test-scores.html The Stanford Achievement Test (SAT) is often stressful for teenagers. This website helps parents work with their children regarding improving their test scores and relieving the stress of taking the SAT. • http://www.achievementtech.com/go/alignments-and-correlations/national/stanford-achievement-test-10 This website is another site that can help students improve their test taking skills. There several different type of tests that this website offers. The tests are designed to help students improve their skills as well as their knowledge base.

Career Test Websites The following sites provide different types of career testing for students. These websites are useful to school counselors, students, and parents. Students provide information about themselves (I.E hobbies, interests, dislikes, etc) and the test results show what occupations that the students might or might not be interested in.

http://www.free-career-test.com

http://www.students.net/studentschool This website is a great website for students and parents to work together. It has many interesting links regarding colleges, student loans, and career testing.

http://www.funeducation.com/ This website offers several different career tests as well as information regarding degree programs. This website can help students who might feel that they are not ready for post secondary education.

Career Information The following links provide information regarding employment Information and Opportunities.

http://www.wisemantech.com/guidance/careerinfo.html This website can link a student, counselor or parent to other websites that have further information regarding career planning and information. It is very useful for a school counselor with students who are not aware of where to begin to look for information regarding career orientation. This website is an excellent site to start with when students are in the beginning phase of planning their career.

http://www.careerpath.com/ This website was designed by Career Builder. This site offers free career testing as well as a different look at what employment opportunities are out there for students who might not want to pursue a post secondary education.

School Counselor Sites The following slides present information regarding professional websites as well as websites that can help counselors, students and parents interact.

The National Career Development Association The National Career Development Association (NCDA) is a founding division of the American Counseling Association (ACA). The mission of NCDA is to promote the career development of all people over the life span. To achieve this mission, NCDA provides service to the public and professionals involved with interest in career development, including professional development activities, publications, research, public information, professional standards, advocacy, and recognition for achievement and service. This website is helpful for counselors looking for activities, publications, and research regarding career development.

Career Test for High School Students This website is a great tool for school counselors. It discusses different types of career testing and why career testing is important for high school students. http://www.buzzle.com/articles/career-test-for-high-school-students.html

http://www.collegeboard.com/ Website designed to help all parties regarding academic testing/career orientation. This website will track the student’s scores, the colleges he or she can apply to, as well as what is needed for college entrance.

School Counselor Articles • The following articles discuss career orientation and different approaches to career counseling for all grades. These articles can be found on the American School Counselor Website. I have also added them to my website under “Interesting Articles regarding Career Orientation”. http://jkuntz425.angelfire.com/counfac1.html

School Counselor Articles Cont. Catch a Dream by Karen D. Rowland, Ph.D., LPC, NCC On a More Personal Note by Patricia Nailor, Ed.D and Karl Squier, Ed.D Who sees a School Counselor for College Information? A National Study by Julia Bryan, Ph.D.,Cheryl Holcomb-McCoy, Ph.D., Cheryl Moore-Thomas, Ph.D., and Norma L. Day-Vines, Ph.D.

Government Website for Students http://www.students.gov/STUGOVWebApp/Public This website is a government based website that is a great website for students and parents to research several topics including but not limited to: colleges, internships, and financial aid information

Internet Address Book Internet Address Book Excerpts Video Introduction to Career Orientation finalREF National Center for Education Statistics. (2005).Youth indicators, 2005.Trends in the well-being of America’s youth.Washington,DC: Author. References

Career Orientation and High School Students