The end of the year is rapidly approaching and you may begin feeling excited, tired, worried about your future and perhaps very stressed.  This month I’ll cover the following topics:

• What to do if you didn’t get into your first choice colleges
• End of the year stress
• Some stressors
• How to manage stress

For those of you who didn’t get into your preferred group of colleges there is still hope.  Some of the University of California schools continue to accept applications and are open in various majors.  It will take some research on your part but if the UC system is where you want to be it will be worth the time and energy to inquire by phone, email or individual college websites.  Additionally, some out-of-state colleges and California State Universities continue to accept applications.  The two-year colleges and training programs will begin to accept applications in mid-May. 

As an aside, now is the time to begin searching for that summer JOB!

Preparation

• Learn about the company/college and the position.  Check out their web site and request information from the company’s public relations department.  Information that can prove useful is the company’s size, its history, the main products and services they provide, and current news stories.
• Double-check the time and location of the interview.  If it is an area that is new to you, consult a map or take a drive there before so you know how to get there.
• Prepare what you want to say in the interview.  Think about your greatest strengths and weaknesses, your most significant work or school experiences, your future plans and your ideal job.
• Review your resume and think about how your experiences can be matched up with the job’s requirements.  Rehearse with a mock interview.

Interview Day

• Dress appropriately.  Choose conservative clothing and keep jewelry and accessories to a minimum. 
• Be punctual.  Arrive a little early to allow yourself time to relax and focus.
• Bring along extra copies of your resume and a pad of paper and pen.  Take notes on any interesting points or questions.  Your notes will come in handy when preparing for a second interview or writing a follow-up letter.
• Be sure to listen carefully throughout the interview.  It is easy to spend all your time planning your answers, but remember this is a conversation.  Listening carefully helps you to respond appropriately.  Make eye contact with the interviewer.
• Avoid generalities. Give concrete examples when describing your work/school experience.  Always be positive.  Don’t be critical of previous co-workers or bosses.  The way you talk about your former or current boss may be seen as an indication of how you will talk about your future boss.
• Demonstrate that you have thought seriously about this career path and this company by asking intelligent questions about the position.  Draw upon your research about the company or ask about the working conditions, the chances for advancement and major projects your prospective job would entail.
• Ask your interviewers for their business card(s) to ensure that you have the proper contact information when you follow-up. 
• Emphasize you are interested in taking the process to the next step and why you are the ideal candidate.

Be yourself (sense of humor and all) and you will be on your way to being hired!

A resume is a brief description of your previous education, work experience, and additional relevant information. 

The purpose of a resume is:

• To introduce you to an employer
• To serve as an example of how you think and express yourself
• To catalogue skills, experience, training and achievements

Remember your main objective is to include:

• Name, address, city, state, zip, phone number with area code, e-mail address, fax number
• Honors, awards, fellowships and scholarships
• Licenses and certificates
• Memberships and activities, including leadership positions
• Special skills, such as computer knowledge and foreign languages
• Job history listed with most recent job first
• Previous job experience to include: title of position, name and address of employer, beginning and ending dates, job description and responsibilities
• Education with most recent or current school first, including degree, name of high school or college, address, major and graduation date

Presenting the information

• Create a scannable resume using white paper, standard fonts, and dark type
• Put most important information at the top of the page
• Be creative and professional
• Use active verbs like initiated, designed, supervised and developed
• Use past tense to describe former jobs and present tense to describe current jobs
• Spell everything out.  Do not use abbreviations or acronyms.
• Present candidates credentials in a positive manner
• Tailor the resume to the kind of job you are looking for
• Have someone proofread your resume

Qualities of a good resume

• Easy to read, concise
• Professional.  Use a typewriter or computer to print your resume, making sure copies are neat and clean.  Mail your resume in good condition preferably in a large envelope.
• Emphasize key points or expressions by using bold type or underline

Mistakes to avoid

• Too short, too long (preferred length is one page)
• Misspellings, typographical errors, poor grammar
• Irrelevant information-height, weight, gender, marital status
• Disorganization, too wordy and vague; important qualifications should stand out
• Italics, underline, shadow or reverse type, vertical and horizontal lines, graphics or boxes

Filling out an application is one of the most intimidating steps you can take when applying for a job or applying for admission to a college. Here are some suggestions:

DO:

• Review applications and directions carefully before you begin.
• Follow all instructions.  Be neat, clear and accurate.
• Be active and inclusive of all of your skills.
• Be truthful and don’t exaggerate your accomplishments.
• Make copies of the application before filling it out and practice filling in the information before completing the original.
• Make sure that everything that is supposed to be included on the application.
• Fill out your own application. Type the information yourself to avoid crucial mistakes.  Then, ask someone to proofread it for you.
• Research the college or company.
• Keep a copy and be thorough.

DON’T:

• Use correction fluid.  If you type your application, use a correctable typewriter or the liftoff strips to correct mistakes.
• Write in script. If you do not have access to a typewriter or computer, print neatly.
• Leave blank spaces. Missing information may cause your application to be discarded.
• Be unclear. If the question calls for a specific answer, don’t try to dodge it by being vague.

Before you step through the door for an interview, you should practice answering these common interview questions:

• Tell me a little bit about yourself?
• What qualifications do you have?
• Why do you want to work for us?
• Tell me about your current job?
• Why are you leaving that job?
• What did you like most about that job?
• What would you change about that job?
• Do you enjoy school? Why or why not?
• Do you plan to continue your education?
• What do you plan to do for work five years from today?
• What is your major strength?
• What is your greatest weakness?
• What motivates you to do a good job?
• Are you at your best when working alone or in a group?
• What are your goals?
• Do you have any questions?  (Try to have at least one question ready).

High school graduation is just around the corner!  Most students don’t realize there are five options to consider after high school.  These options are called “gateways” and are listed below:
1. Post-Secondary Education
4-year Colleges and Universities
2-year Colleges and Community Colleges
Technical and Professional schools and colleges
2. Military
Army
Navy
Air Force
Marine Corps
Coast Guard
3. Workforce
Full-time permanent jobs
Combination of two or more part-time jobs
Contract services on short-term basis
4. Apprenticeships and Internships
Carefully monitored work experiences with intentional learning goals
5. Self-Employment and Entrepreneurship
Start a business
Buy a business
Take on a franchise
Consult or freelance

Over the next few weeks I will have employment application procedures.  The gateway model is taken from The Real Game Facilitator’s Guide.  The Real Game™ can be found at http://realgame.com .

This is a good time to investigate your progress towards graduation. Check with your counselor to make sure you are on-track to graduate. The following information can assist in seeing how you are doing:

Cumulative GPA _____
Credits to Date _____
Credits Needed _____

To graduate, a student must earn a minimum of 220 credits in grades 9-12.  A minimum of 25 credits must be earned during the semester (eighteen weeks) preceding graduation in order for students to participate in the graduation ceremony.

Graduation Requirements
The Elk Grove Unified School District has some of the toughest graduation requirements in the state: 

4 years of English
4 years of math (including algebra) and 2 years of science, OR 3 years of math (including algebra) and 3 years of science
3.5 years of social science
2 years of science
2 years of physical education
2 years of foreign language, OR 1 year of foreign language and 1 year of fine arts
1 semester of health
Proficiency in current technology
Proficiency in speech
State of California Graduation Requirement
All students are required to pass the California High School Exit Exam in order to graduate. Students with disabilities may be exempt from this requirement pending legislation. To obtain more information, please visit the state web page at http://www.cde.ca.gov/ta/tg/hs/index.asp.

While you are waiting to hear from the colleges you applied to, it is a good time to revisit the following questions to guide you in making your final selection:

Location
How far away from home would you like to go to school?  10 miles or 2,000 miles

Size of College
Would you prefer to attend a school with a large enrollment, (30,000 or more students) a small one, (1,500 students) or something in the middle?  How large would you like the physical size of the campus to be?

Environment
Would you rather attend a community college or other: 2-year institution, 4-year university, urban, suburban, or a rural school?  Is the location and size of the nearest city important to you?  Do you prefer a co-ed or single-gender school?  Does the school’s religious affiliation make a difference to you?

Academics
Which schools offer the major(s) that you are considering?  What kind of student-faculty ratio and typical class size are you looking for, and which schools offer them?

College Expenses/Financial Aid
Does your college choice match your financial aid package?  How expensive a school can you afford to attend?  Consider tuition, room and board, and other expenses including the application fee, deposits, etc.  Will your financial aid, scholarships and family contributions make it possible for you to attend your first choice college?

Housing/Facilities
Would you rather live on campus, in a dorm, or commute to school from home?  What type of academic, medical and recreational facilities should your college have?

Activities
What kind of clubs and organizations (including fraternities and sororities) do you want college to offer?  What type of athletic activities (including intramural teams) should be offered by the school you choose to attend?

Special Programs
Do you need a school with services or programs for the learning disabled?  Would you like to study abroad?  Do you plan to continue your ESL studies in college?  Are you looking for an honors program?

Most four-year colleges and universities require an entrance or placement examination. Most colleges and universities in the U.S. will accept either the ACT (American College Test) or the SAT Reasoning Test (once known as the Scholastic Aptitude Test). You may take either or both tests several times to improve your score. Please consult with the college or university of your choice for specific requirements.

Some colleges/universities require the SAT Subject Tests. Check with the College Board or your selected college/university to see if they require the SAT Subject Tests for admission. When colleges/universities require the SAT Subject Tests they are measuring your ability in the areas of writing, mathematics and one area of your choice. Make a list of possible colleges/universities that you are considering and request your score to be sent to those schools.

Deadlines are set for each test date.  Late fees are assessed if it is past the deadline. There are additional charges to change your test date or location after you have registered.

Registration options:
1. Online: Payment online is by Visa or MasterCard ONLY.
a. ACT: www.act.org
b. SAT: www.collegeboard.com

2. By mail: Pick up an application form in your school’s counseling center.  Complete the application and mail the application before the deadline, enclose check or credit card information in the correct amount and remember that a signature is required.

3. By phone: After your first test, you may call and set up retest dates and pay by phone.  A credit card is needed (Visa or MasterCard), and an additional fee is charged for this service.

Important Reminders
• In order to register, you must have your high school code (see list below).
• Athletes - remember to send scores to the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association).
• You must take a picture ID to the test center to be admitted.
• There are late registration deadlines for an additional fee.
• You cannot take the SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Tests on the same day.
• Check for other schools in your area that offer the test.

Elk Grove High School - School Code #050825
Florin High School - School Code #052722
Franklin High School - School Code #050824
Laguna Creek High School - School Code #050829
Monterey Trail High School - School Code #050902
Pleasant Grove High School - School Code #053953
Sheldon High School - School Code #052792
Valley High School -  School Code #052736

The NCAA initial-eligibility rules have changed.
If you plan to enroll in any Division I or Division II college or university please read this information carefully.

For students entering any college or university on or after August 1, 2008, your NCAA initial eligibility will be evaluated under the 16 core-course rule as described below.

THE NEW RULE:

• INCREASES the number of core courses from 13 to 14 for division II and 16 core courses for division I.  This additional core course may be in any area: English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.  The breakdown of core-course requirements is listed below.
• CHANGES the Division I initial-eligibility index, or sliding scale.  See the reverse side of your application for the Core GPA/test scores sliding-scale index.
• The 16 core-course rule INCREASES the number of core courses from 14 to 16 for Division I only.  Students must complete three years of mathematics (Algebra I or higher), and four years of additional core courses.  The additional core course may be taken in any area:  English, mathematics, natural/physical science, social science, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy.  The breakdown of the requirements is listed below.

Division I - 16 core-course rule 2008 and after
16 Core Courses:
• 4 years of English
• 3 year of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
• 1 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science
• 2 years of social science
• 4 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy)

Division 2
14 Core Courses:
• 3 years of English
• 2 year of mathematics (Algebra I or higher)
• 2 years of natural/physical science (1 year of lab if offered by high school)
• 2 year of additional English, mathematics or natural/physical science
• 2 years of social science
• 3 years of additional courses (from any area above, foreign language or nondoctrinal religion/philosophy

Today’s high school graduates have the choice of many apprenticeships.  These may include construction, plumbing, electrical, musical, fashion, landscaping, auto, and more.  This is another option to prepare students for a career that will allow them to work while attending classes.  It is ideal for students who need a steady income immediately after completing high school or have a desire to go directly to work.

Apprenticeships provide:

• Challenging curriculum for individuals 16 years of age or older.
• A planned training entry-level position on a career pathway.
• A combination of on-the-job training and related classroom training.
• Certification of competency measured by industrial standards.

Apprenticeship programs require:

• You to complete certain course work.
• A high school diploma or currently attending high school.
• That you pass an aptitude test.
• Proof of physical ability to perform the duties of the trade.
• Proof of a valid driver’s license.

Apprenticeship programs are looking for people who have the mechanical and mental abilities to master a skill.  Requirements emphasize four qualifications:

• Age
• Education and solid background in reading, writing and basic mathematics
• Physical condition
• Aptitude

The best sources for assistance and information in apprenticeships are vocational and career counselors at local, state and national employment agencies.  Students can also get information from their high school career center or offices of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.