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Family Conversation Guide:
college and career pathways
college and career pathways
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Family conversations make a big difference when helping a young person decide what they want to do after high school. It is important that, when you talk to your child about their future, you discuss their goals, interests, and strengths, because it helps inform the choices that they make about their future.
Together, we can make sure your child gets a bright start: a foundation of academic excellence integrated with real-world skills and experience, a head start on college and career, and a strong plan for every step along the way.
Real Skills
Independent Living
Are you familiar with independent living resources and support (including participation in the community, access to adult services and activities of daily living etc. Specifically ACCES-VR or OPWDD)?
Are you familiar with and connected to your Transition Access Center?
Know All Your Postsecondary Options
There’s a lot more to life after high school than just “college” or “work” - can you think of examples?
Have you heard of “gap year” or “apprentice programs”? How about military or internships?
What do you want to learn about these other options?
Choosing Your Strongest Match
A strong match choice is one where you will experience challenge and still succeed, get support you need to afford the costs, and find a supportive community that meets your needs. It’s time to decide: which of your options is the strongest match for you?
To help you can compare graduation rates, analyze affordability, and assess the availability of student success supports. There might be more you want to find out to compare options. What matters most to you?
Student Resumes
Why do they say, “Having a resume is the first step” in applying for scholarships, colleges, and jobs?
What experiences have you had that would impress a boss or a school?
What talents, skills, and hobbies do you have that make you unique?
What do you know about writing a resume? What do you want to learn?
Explore Colleges
Would you prefer to go to college nearby, or far from home?
Would you rather go to college in a city, a suburb, or a rural area?
Are there any aspects of college you’re interested in? What makes them interesting to you?
What do you expect to find on a college campus? What would you need to be there for you to succeed?
Career Interests
What kinds of jobs can you imagine would make you happy? Why?
What do you know about how people get those jobs? What do you want to learn?
Head Start
Future Planning: college, education, and other training options
Have you and your child spoken at home about what your child would do after high school?
Have you and your child spoken to your school about what your child should do after high school? Have you connected with someone at your school about what your child might need to finish high school or prepare for the next step? (College Advisor, Transition Team Leader)?
Have you connected with Accessibility Office at the college you are interested in attending?
Are you familiar with NYC’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) or the TCAC Training Opportunities Program (TOP)? Have you and your student discussed the next step after high school?
Financial Aid
What kind of plans would you make if you could afford to do anything you wanted after graduation?
What kinds of financial aid are you eligible for?
Do you know about FAFSA, TAP, and the NYS DREAM Act? What do you want to learn?
Making a List of Options
Which is most important to you after graduation: challenging options you can complete, financially supportive options you can afford, or interesting options in a place where you feel you belong?
A “strong match” list is a set of options that do ALL of those. Do you feel like your plans are a “strong match”?
What else do you need to find out, or do, to make sure?
Financial Literacy
Do you consider yourself good at managing your money? Why or why not? Give some examples.
When you hear words like “budget,” “credit,” or “debt,” what do you think about? What do you want to learn?
Academics
What do you love about your favorite classes? What classes do you find most challenging, and why?
What is your Grade Point Average, or GPA? What’s the impact of one low grade on a GPA?
What kind of tests do you have to take this year? How about before you graduate? How will you study for those?
Short Term and Long Term Goals
Do you tend to set goals to get even better at things you’re already good at, or to improve where you’re not yet strong?
What are some short term goals you have for yourself? What are some long term goals?
Do those goals connect to each other? What do they have to do with your career?
Personal Statements
What does it mean to “make a statement”?
What do people need to know about you to really understand who you are?
What do you know about the personal essay writing process? What do you want to learn?
Strong Plan
Postsecondary Transition Support
Do you know all the resources available to you after high school in regards to employment and education?
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Discover more Opportunities!
At New York City Public Schools, we are committed to guiding students toward success through innovative programs, valuable resources, and unique pathways to future careers.
Explore our website for more information on how we can help you achieve your goals, find opportunities, and make informed decisions about your educational journey.
Become a partnerin progress!
Ready to lead in the business world? Learn more about our Business/Finance pathway and take the first step towards a successful and rewarding career.
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