A recent survey suggests that alumni of D.C.’s public schools with access during high school to career supports such as connections to employers, exposure to careers, and professional counseling tend to earn wages 20 percent higher than their peers without access to these types of programming. Access to these supports could have a lasting impact on the lives of the 3,405 students who graduated from D.C.’s public and public charter schools in the 2019-20 school year—51 percent of whom, on average, enroll in postsecondary programs within six months of graduation.
Many Local Education Agencies (LEAs) offer career supports and counseling to students as they make choices about their postsecondary education and careers. While LEAs in D.C. are already collecting a lot of information on their students, they report having less as alumni transition into postsecondary education and career—when more information on outcomes could make supports and counseling during high school more effective.
In this latest installment in our D.C. Voices series, we hear directly from students and counselors about just how important career and college counseling is, and the implications that better early career outcomes data could have for students as they make postsecondary education and career choices.
….
To hear more about how stakeholders are using data when making postsecondary decisions, the D.C. Policy Center reached out to two current high school students in D.C., a director of college programs, and a non-profit career counseling practitioner to ask: What information is important to know about the transition from high school to college or career?
Aaniyah, Senior, HD Woodson High School
A combination of experiences, exposure, resources, and people have influenced what I want to do after high school. Each experience helps me to feel more confident.
After I graduate, I plan to pursue a career education pathway in hopes of starting a career in real estate or as a case manager for kids in need. Recently I updated my resume in preparation for an internship interview this spring through the DCPS Career Bridge Program. I joined this program so that I could build work experience and hope that it will lead to an opportunity after I graduate. I am very proud of all that I have accomplished, and it was cool to see it all in one document summarized. While at HD Woodson, I have participated in many programs and experiences that have prepared me for making plans after high school. For example, I participate in Woodson’s NAF Academy of Engineering with the support of Ms. Shirriel and Ms. John. While in this program I’ve taken engineering courses, and attended field trips, job fairs, and workshops that have exposed me to the field of engineering. I meet regularly with my College and Career Coordinator, Ms. Ottley, to prepare for my future goals. Also, in the mail I received my Guide to Graduation, Career and College where I was able to see what I need to do to graduate and it provided salaries based on my career interests that I selected on my postsecondary survey with my College and Career Coordinator, Ms. Ottley.
Outside of school, I volunteered over the summer with Women Helping Women, an organization that helps women who have been sexually assaulted. Through this organization I provided resources for their kids. This motivated me to consider working with kids as a case manager in the future.
When asked, “What information am I using to inform my plans after high school?” I cannot name just one thing. A combination of experiences, exposure, resources, and people have influenced what I want to do after high school. Each experience helps me to feel more confident. I’ve learned what I like to do and what I do not like to do.
….