College and Career Week
Each year the Santa Cruz College and Career Collaborative establishes and promotes a countywide College and Career Week.
The K-12 College and Career Week are connected to the SCC College and Career Collaborative’s pledge that all students in the county will graduate from high school well prepared for postsecondary education and the workforce.
In collaboration with families and community partners, this month is used to engage students in college and career-related activities to promote a college-going culture and help students learn about and plan for future college and career possibilities.
The week culminates in the Cabrillo College, College and Career Night, which allows students and parents an opportunity to meet university representatives from numerous public and private colleges and from across the country. This event also hosts workshops designed to answer important academic and financial questions as students plan their career paths.
Elementary School
- College door decorating – Decorate classroom doors with college logos and images from a adopted college or the alma maters of staff and relatives
- College spirit day –Designate a day for staff to wear shirts or graduation robes from their college
- Career exploration – Facilitate classroom activities to explore career options
- Community member and college student visits – Invite community members from different career fields to classrooms or host local college students as presenters
- Create a college corner in your classroom
- Cabrillo College Student Q & A #1 and Q & A #2 – Watch Cabrillo College students answer 4th grade student questions about college basics and college going life.
- Cabrillo College virtual tour – Sammy the Seahawk takes you on a virtual campus tour!
Middle School
- Career exploration – Facilitate students taking interest surveys and plan community member and college student visits
- Financial literacy – Design activities to teach students about college savings
- College eligibility – Introduce students to the A-G requirements
- 6 year plans – Plan for high school courses and the two years beyond high school
- Create a college corner in your classroom
- Create a college week word wall
- 7th Grade College and Career Summit Curriculum – This curriculum handbook provides introduction activities that include basic college vocabulary and definitions, A-G admissions requirements, planning and saving for college, and career exploration
- The College and Career Collaborative partners with Your Future Is Our Business to provide students with experiences such as job shadows, workplace tours, informational interviews and mock interviews, and connections to internship possibilities
Work Based Learning
High School
- College search – Have students explore different colleges they might like to attend
- Financial aid – Teach students about the FAFSA and Dream Act. Have students explore the FAFSA Forecaster to estimate their federal student aid
- Test preparation – Provide a PSAT orientation including logistics and practice tests
- CTE program presentations – Have district and county CTE teachers present the CTE options available to students and highlight the benefit of participation
- College applications – Explore various college applications and practice essay writing using UC writing prompts
- College coursework – Provide students with information on what AP, IB, and dual enrollment opportunities are available
Career Exploration Curriculum Resources
To explore tools for students
Monterey Bay Career Coach – At this site students can:
- Take a career assessment to learn about careers that might interest them
- Search for career data like wages, employment, and training
- Browse or search for programs that lead to the career they want
- The California Career Resource Network site has resources such as mobile apps., lesson plans, and many other resources for educators.
- Career Zone allows you to develop, implement, and manage a complete career and transition planning curriculum. You can also keep an eye on students’ progress.