S.P.S PREPARATION FOR EDUCATIONAL AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES

AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

In our modern work world, most high school graduates find it essential to continue their education and training beyond high school. The average annual income for individuals with an associate's degree is almost twice what someone with just a high school diploma can earn. The earnings for a bachelor's degree can be three times more. Post-high school education and training may be attained in a variety of forms. Some students find that they can best meet their goals by attending a four year college. Others feel that a college program is not appropriate for their needs upon graduation. Regardless of your future goals, planning is essential. The following information should be considered as you select your courses.

FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT / MILITARY

Students who plan to enter the job market as full-time employees after graduation need to have researched the skills required for entry level positions, and have a realistic expectation of the salaries, benefits, and opportunities for advancement that are available with these positions.

Since employment-bound students will need specific job skills, it is critical to take courses that prepare them accordingly. However, it is just as critical to build a solid background of skills in reading, writing, science, and mathematics.

Students who are considering the post-high school goal of full-time employment should look into Middlesex County's Vocational-Technical High School system. Vo-Tech schools provide intensive training in a variety of fields supported by study in related academic areas. Information about Vo-Tech can be obtained from your guidance counselor.

Students interested in joining the Military should seek information about each branch of the service, discussing this option with their counselor and meeting with recruiters who come into the school. Taking the ASVAB, an aptitude test, is am integral part of the decision-making when various training opportunities within the service are considered.

VOCATIONAL EDUCATION/TECHNICAL TRAINING

Many high school graduates enroll in trade, vocational, technical and business schools for one or two years before seeking employment. Others may go directly to work but continue their training as they work by enrolling in apprentice programs, business college courses, university extension courses, and public school community education courses available in the area.

Just as it is not wise to choose a college without counseling with people who know colleges, it is not wise to choose business or trade schools without complete information about them. The standing of the school with employers, a clear understanding of its costs and its programs, and the placement and follow-up services - all are factors in making an intelligent choice. Students interested in the above opportunities should consult with their counselors in developing plans for their future.

TECH PREP

There is an explosion of job opportunities in technically-related fields for people with the RIGHT KIND of PREPARATION. To take advantage of these opportunities, South Brunswick High School has joined Middlesex County College in the nationwide TECH PREP movement.

While in high school, students can take course work that will prepare them for entrance into one of ten TECH PREP majors at M.C.C. Students who take the course work required for one of these programs are given preferred status in applying for admission to that program. Several of the TECH PREP programs at Middlesex County College are listed below:

Accounting

Electrical Engineering Technology

Civil Engineering Technology

Laboratory Technologies

Computer and Information Systems

Chemical

Criminal Justice

Environmental

Educational Technology

Medical

Teaching Assistant Marketing

Early Childhood Assistant

Marketing Art and Design

Special Education Assistant

Office Administration



Here are two examples for recommended high school courses for certain majors:

MARKETING ART & DESIGN ELEC. ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY

Photography / Commercial Art Seminars in Science / Earth & Physical Sci.

Introduction to Comp. Graphics Elements of Algebra

Personal Law / Entrepreneurship Basic Geometry / Geometry

Business and Consumer Law Electronics / Exploring Tech. Systems

Marketing Education Applied Sci.+ Design Tech./Comp. Tech.+ Rep.

Tech. Drawing / Arch. Drawing

Since many of the course offerings at S.B.H.S. can be used to prepare students for TECH PREP majors, you can tailor a program of study for the one in which you are interested. See your counselor for guidance in your planning.

COLLEGE

•TWO-YEAR COLLEGE

Some students find that their plans to attend college are better fulfilled at a two-year college.

Two-year colleges fall into two categories:

- community colleges which generally do not provide housing

- junior colleges that usually have dormitory facilities.

Study at a two-year college can lead to a certificate or an Associate's degree in a specific career field, or it can be used as a stepping stone to a four-year college. Careful selection of and success in courses at the two-year school allow students to transfer into four-year colleges as juniors, so that a Bachelor's degree can be earned after four years of study. Many two-year colleges have articulation agreements with four-year colleges so that students can transfer easily. Middlesex County College has articulation agreements with four-year colleges such as Rutgers, Penn State, and New Jersey Institute of Technology.

Generally, two-year colleges do not require 16 academic units, nor do they require college admission tests. Depending upon the program of study, there may be specific course work required at the high school level, or special entrance tests for particular programs.

It is recommended that students research schools and programs of interest to them, and consult with their counselors.

•FOUR YEAR COLLEGE

Students planning to apply to four-year colleges will want to develop the strongest possible academic record. There is not one program that is right for everyone, but you should keep the following information in mind.

Admission to college is based on a picture of the applicant obtained from the examination of:

The scholastic record (rigor of courses taken, final grades earned, grade point average, and number of academic units accrued)

Results on college admissions tests , such as the A.C.T., S.A.T. I , S.A.T. II Subj. Area Tests

Recommendations written on behalf of the student

The quality, not quantity, of participation in extra-curricular school and community activities

Personal interviews

Content and presentation of the written application

As part of the high school record, colleges look for courses that are COLLEGE PREPARATORY in content and level of work required. Such courses are considered ACADEMIC UNITS. A total of sixteen units is generally the minimum required for college entrance. While each college prescribes the number and character of the academic units it will accept, the following are the usual requirements for entrance to four year colleges:

English: 4 units

Social Studies: 2-5 units

Foreign Language: 2-5 units (of the same language)

College-prep math: 3-5 units

Science: 2-5 units (at least 2 lab sciences)

Information about courses that count as academic units can be found on the next page.