Career Exploration &
Development
Academic Planning and Career Exploration
College &
Career planning
Go!
Career Immersion
High School experiences to support future planning: Personal Pathways and Field-Based Experiences
One stop shop for all things post-secondary - including college, workforce, military and trade planning. Testing information can be found here.
Chapter 14 Transition Plan
PA Secondary Transition
Transition planning is a multistep process that guides a youth from high school into adult living after they leave school.
Planning begins at age 14, or younger if determined appropriately by the IEP team, and continues through high school as academic instruction and community experiences help clarify and support students’ goals.
PA Secondary Transition Guide
This website, which is continually updated, provides youth, young adults, parents, and professionals with secondary transition resources to facilitate a young person’s progress towards post-secondary goals related to education, employment, and community living.
Exploration by Level
Grade 7
Grade 9
Grade 10
Grade 11
Grade 12
Grade 8
Grade 7
- Set up your MS Career Portfolio in Xello.
- Be sure to upload, link, and reflect on courses,
experiences, and exploration. - Take the Career Matchmaker Quiz in Xello.
- Complete your Learning Style, Skills, and interests in
Xello. - Add significant career readiness experiences in Xello (i.e.,
field trips). - Use your Xello matchmaker results to find careers that
align with your interests and style.
- Be sure to upload, link, and reflect on courses,
- Learn and Practice Good Work Habits.
- Visit a local college or stop by a college campus while on
vacation. - Use Xello or another platform to explore careers and career
pathways (College, Trade/Technical, Military, etc.).
College Board. (2024). Parent action plan: Middle school. BigFuture. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/for-parents/action-plan-middle-school
Grade 8
- Update your Career Portfolio in Xello.
- Be sure to upload, link, and reflect on courses, experiences,
and exploration. - Review and update the Career Matchmaker Quiz in Xello.
- Update your Learning Style, Skills, and interests in Xello.
- Add significant career readiness experiences in Xello
- Participate in the AW Beattie Roadshow.
- Use your Xello matchmaker results to find careers that align
with your interests and style.
- Be sure to upload, link, and reflect on courses, experiences,
- Learn and Practice Good Work Habits.
- Visit a local college or stop by a college campus while on
vacation. - Use Xello or another platform to explore careers and career
pathways (College, Trade/Technical, Military, etc.)
College Board. (2024). Parent action plan: Middle school. BigFuture. https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/for-parents/action-plan-middle-school
Getting Ready for Freshman Year
Attend the in person scheduling Night
If you can’t make it in person, you can view the video resource below. Review all of the scheduling resources:
- Scheduling Night Video - Coming Soon!
- Course Guide
Create your Four Year Academic and Career Plan
In class, you will create your four-year plan with your school counselor. This plan will outline your ideas on courses and ensure you meet all graduation requirements. Keep scrolling to see information for high school grade levels.
Know your Graduation Requirements
Avonworth has specific graduation requirements that are outlined in the course book and reviewed in the video. You should also become familiar with the PA Graduation Pathways.
Grade 9 (Freshman Year)
- Create your HS Career Portfolio in Xello.
- Review and update the Career Matchmaker Quiz in Xello
- Update your Learning Style, Skills, and interests in Xello
- Add career readiness experiences in Xello
- Participate in the AW Beattie Tour in January
- Use your Xello account to find careers that align with your interests and style.
- Use your Xello account to find majors and postsecondary schools that align
with your saved careers. - Visit a local college or stop by a college campus while on vacation.
- Use Xello or another platform to explore careers and career pathways (College,
Trade/Technical, Military, etc.). - Start looking at Common Data Sets for schools you may be interested in. See
this article or this article for more information. - Check out this Freshman and Sophomore Guide from
www.ccrmwithmsthrash.com. - Read/skim the weekly Future Ready Update for information on opportunities,
experiences, and scholarships. - Review this great resource on College Planning from NACAC.
- Meet with your school counselor and update your 4-year plan. If you are an
athlete, click here. - Consider AW Beattie for grade 10.
- PARENTS: Check out this Parent Action Plan: Grade 9 from Big Future.
Grade 10 (Sophomore Year)
- Update your HS Career Portfolio in Xello.
- Review and update career assessments
- Add career readiness experiences in Xello
- Use your Xello account to find careers that align with your interests and style.
- Use your Xello account to find majors and postsecondary schools that align
with saved careers - Start creating your college lists - use this resource to help!
- Visit potential colleges or stop by a college campus while on vacation.
- Use Xello or another platform to explore careers and career pathways
(College, Trade/Technical, Military, etc.) - Start looking at Common Data Sets for schools you may be interested in. See
this article or this article for more information. - Check out this Freshman and Sophomore Guide from
www.ccrmwithmsthrash.com. - Review this great resource on College Planning from NACAC.
- Read/Skim the weekly Future Ready Update for information on opportunities,
experiences, and scholarships. - Take the PSAT at school.
- Meet with your school counselor and update your 4-year plan. If you are an
athlete, click here. - Consider AW Beattie, CHS, and/or AP Courses for grade 11..
- PARENTS: Check out this Parent Action Plan: Grade 10 from Big Future.
Grade 11 (Junior Year)
- Update your HS Career Portfolio in Xello.
- Review and update any assessments as needed.
- Add career readiness experiences in Xello
- Attend the College Fair in February
- Link your College App and Xello accounts
- Start creating your college lists - use this resource or this resource to help!
- Visit colleges on your list or participate in a virtual tour.
- Look at Common Data Sets for schools you may be interested in. See this
article or this article for more information - Check out this Junior Guide from www.ccrmwithmsthrash.com.
- Read/Skim the weekly Future Ready Update for information on
opportunities, experiences, and scholarships. - Schedule your junior meeting with your school counselor. If you are an
athlete, click here. Consider CHS and/or CHS Courses for grade 12. - Take the PSAT and ASVAB at school.
- Schedule and take the SAT or ACT.
- Review this great resource on College Planning from NACAC.
- PARENTS: Check out this Parent Action Plan: Grade 11 from Big Future
Grade 12 (Senior)
- Update your HS Career Portfolio in Xello.
- Link your College App and Xello accounts (if you haven’t already).
- Start creating your college lists - use this resource or this resource to help!
- Determine if you want to apply Early Action or Early Decision - check out
this resource for help. Talk to your counselor about Early Decision. - Visit colleges on your list or participate in a virtual tour.
- Look at Common Data Sets for schools you may be interested in. See this
article or this article for more information. - Check out this Senior Guide from www.ccrmwithmsthrash.com.
- Read/Skim the weekly Future Ready Update for information on
opportunities, experiences, and scholarships. - Check out the Future Ready Hub Scholarship Page - here
- Review this great resource on College Planning from NACAC.
- If you are considering collegiate athletics, click here.
- Take the ASVAB at school.
- Schedule and take the SAT or ACT if you haven’t already.
- PARENTS: Check out this Parent Action Plan: Grade 12 from Big Future.
Internships & Externships
Career Immersion
Information Here
Industry Based Learning Credential
Follow this link for more information on the personal pathway program
personal Pathways
Career pathway
Career pathways are driven by student interest. Exposure to various careers will be held through pathway seminars, classroom activities, in-school programming, and out-of-school experiences. Career pathways in the pathway for Innovative Arts & Communications can include but are not limited to the following: advertising, arts management, computer-graphics, fine arts, game-design, museum careers, music production, performing arts, web design.
Pathway Focus
The Pathway for Innovative Arts & Communications will provide students opportunities to explore careers in the visual arts, performing arts, and communications, as well as enrich themselves with experiences in the arts and humanities, which can support other career paths. The global workforce needs creative, innovative independent thinkers who possess skills beyond core subjects, and who are flexible and resourceful in today’s ever-changing world.
coursework
A diverse offering of courses are available in the arts and humanities. Students are required to complete five separate courses from the choices listed in the pathway.
Innovative Arts & Communications
Career pathway
Career pathways are driven by student interest. Exposure to various careers will be held through pathway seminars, classroom activities, in-school programming, and out-of-school experiences. Career pathways in the Pathway for Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship can include but are not limited to the following: accounting, advertising, banking, entrepreneurism, financial advising, human resources, insurance, logistics, marketing.
Pathway Focus
The Pathway for Business, Finance & Entrepreneurship will provide students exposure to careers in business and financial sectors, as well as entrepreneurship. This pathway provides opportunities for authentic learning experiences catering to specific areas, such as marketing, advertising, accounting, and business creation.
coursework
A diverse offering of courses are available in multiple areas. Students are required to complete Accounting, Macroeconomics, and Introduction to Business. Two additional courses must be taken from the choices outlined in the pathway.
Business, finance & Entrepreneurship
Career pathway
Career pathways are driven by student interest. Exposure to various careers will be held through pathway seminars, classroom activities, in-school programming, and out-of-school experiences. Career pathways in the Pathway for Health & Medicine can include but are not limited to the following: anesthesia, imaging technology, medical practice (various), nursing, pharmacy, physical therapy, veterinary practices, etc.
coursework
A diverse offering of elective courses are available in areas that support medical and biological sciences. Students are required to complete five separate courses from the choices outlined in the pathway (all are semester courses unless otherwise noted).
Pathway Focus
The Pathway for Health & Medicine is one of two academies that are related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics). The Health and Medicine pathway will focus on careers in health and medicine and on challenging ethical issues related to 21st century health and medical advancements.
Health & Medicine
Career pathway
Career pathways are driven by student interest. Exposure to various careers will be held through pathway seminars, classroom activities, in-school programming, and out-of-school experiences. Career pathways in the Pathways for Public & International Relations can include but are not limited to the following: civil service, education, foreign service, law, public policy, research, social work
Pathway Focus
The Pathway for Public & International Relations will provide students an opportunity to explore diversity as related to public policies and globalization. Cultural understanding, the study of world languages, and an awareness of local, state, national and global issues frame the focus of this pathway.
coursework
A diverse offering of courses are available in areas that support public and international studies. Students are required to complete five separate courses from the choices outlined in the pathway (all are semester courses unless otherwise noted). No more than two world language courses can be applied to the five required courses.
Advisors:
Mrs. Melissa Reagle
email: Mreagle@avonworth.k12.pa.us
Mrs. emily hickman
email: ehickman@avonworth.k12.pa
Public and international relations
Career pathway
Career pathways are driven by student interest. Exposure to various careers will be held through pathway seminars, classroom activities, in-school programming, and out-of-school experiences. Career pathways can include but are not limited to the following: architecture, astronomy, chemistry (manufacturing, pharmaceutical, etc.), computer programming, computer systems, engineering (various), environmental science, forensics, and software engineering.
coursework
A diverse offering of courses are available in areas that support engineering,
science, and technology. Students are required to complete six separate
courses from the choices outlined in the pathway (all are semester courses
unless otherwise noted). Additionally, each student is required to take one arts
course in order to enhance their understanding of the role that design plays in
the technological fields.
Pathway Focus
The Pathway for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics is one of two academies that are related to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, & Mathematics). In this pathway, science, engineering, and technology can be pure or integrated, depending on the area of interest for each student.
Career pathway
*The Avonworth Personal Pathways Program complements the career training offered at the A.W. Beattie Career Center that has programs for sports medicine, auto body repair, carpentry, veterinary tech, dentistry, computer systems technology, cosmetology, culinary, robotics, computer programming, early childhood development, among others.
Pathway Focus
The Pathway for A.W. Beattie Career Technology Center will provide students an opportunity to explore an educational experience to be college and career ready after high school graduation. The programs fulfill elective credit requirements for 10th, 11th and 12th grade students. Seniors who attend A.W. Beattie may take the NOCTI exam, which awards industry certifications and college credits based on test results.
coursework
Students who attend A.W. Beattie receive hands-on, real world experiences. Students in the career center's Carpentry, Building Construction and HVAC programs design and build houses to local municipality specifications to be sold to the public. Students in the Culinary Arts and Pastry Arts program prepare food for and manage a restaurant that is open to the public Wednesdays and Thursday for breakfast and lunch. Qualified cosmetology students work in a salon open to the public. Qualified seniors throughout the career center have co-op and clinical opportunities to work in local businesses and non-profits.
A.W. Beattie Career Technology center
College & Career Planning
Find Information on testing here
Information to support entering the workforce.
Information on military opportunities after high school
Information on college applications, financial aid, NCAA and scholarships
- Can’t find what you need?
College Applications
College Applications
Linking Common app and Xello
Common App
College ACCESS VIDEO - 12/2023
List of Universities requiring SSAR/SRAR
How to Complete your SRAR - 2023 - This video is specific to PSU; however, most SRARs follow similar processes. Please reach out to your school with any questions.
Self Reported
academic Record
(SRAR)
Master College Spreadsheet - Still a work in progress -
feel free to make a copy and add your data. The second sheet allows you to build
your list. Copy and paste the row from the first page into the spreadsheet on the
second page. This information is taken from the school’s Common Data Set and the
National Center for Education Statistics - College Navigator.
*[NEW] AXS Common App Companion
I have updated the Future Ready Hub with this great resource to support students
working on their Common App.
FSA ID
Financial Aid
Other Resoureces
FAFSA
COMING DECEMBER 2023
COMING SOON!
SCHOLARSHIP LINKS
Pittsburgh Foundation
Through the generosity of donors, The Pittsburgh Foundation and The Community Foundation of Westmoreland County manage one of the most robust foundation-led scholarship programs in the country
Going Merry
Going Merry has thousands of national, regional, and local scholarships. There are also opportunities for every grade level, from freshmen to seniors.
Use the links to sign up for these scholarship opportunites. DO NOT use your avonworth email as you will need aaccess to these sites after graduation.
FAST WEB
Fastweb is a free scholarship search platform that connects students to college scholarships, trade school scholarships, and financial aid tools.
Big Future
Create an account and go to “Pay for School” and then to scholarships.
Career One Stop
Your sources for career exploration , traiing and jobs. Sponsored by the US Dept of Labor
More scholarships are available on the counseling website.
NCAA
In pursuing college athletics, the NCAA Guide for the College
Bound Athlete is an essential resource that can help you
navigate the process. This guide provides detailed
information on the academic and athletic requirements
needed to be eligible for NCAA sports, as well as advice on
how to choose the right college and how to communicate
with coaches.
The guide also covers important topics such as financial aid,
recruiting rules, and NCAA regulations. By reading this guide,
you can better understand the expectations and
responsibilities that come with being a college athlete.
NCAA Guide for the College Bound Athlete 2024-2025
Approved Avonworth Courses 2023-2024 - Updated June
2023 - CEEB Code: 390255
Eligibility Worksheet - Click HERE
Understanding NCAA Eligibility 4/17/24 - Video Link
The College Matchpoint website is a great tool to explore pre-college and summer programs available to students. You can search directly for a school/program or look at various opportunities by interest.
This database will be updated regularly and will include opportunities not found on the College Matchpoint Website. This link will have information on local and state programs.
Database Link (Coming Soon!)
An increasing number of selective colleges now scrutinize how applicants spend their summers during high school. In response to this trend, thousands of providers–including both universities and private companies–offer academically-themed summer programs for teens. This article gives more information on this movement.
Summer and Pre-College Programs
Military
Discover what it takes to join the Military and learn how a career of service can lead to a fulfilling life.
Visit the “Todays Military” website to learn if this path Is right for you.
Testing
ASVAB will be given in February 22, 2024. To all juniors and any interested grade 12 student.
ASVAB
ACT
SAT
PSAT
Khan Academy