Students in San Leandro High find it difficult to make plans for their future. They often don’t know where to start regarding college, careers and financial aid. By offering advice, resources and one-on-one support, the College and Career Center helps students make these choices for themselves.
The main goal of the College and Career Center, according to College Advisor Ms. Torey, is to help students in all after-high school pathways, “Basically assisting students with whatever they have to do once they’re out of high school and making the most of their current high school experience,” said Torey. This means helping all types of students with different pathways; kids who want to enroll in trade schools, community colleges, four-year universities and the workplace.
Destination College Advising Corps (DCAC) and Early Academic Outreach Programs (EAOP) help students from low-income families. College Advisor Ms. Sierra explained that these programs help students academically and prepare for life after high school by giving them advice, resources and support, “Our program really is just a support system to make sure that they know that they have resources to kind of figure out their way after high school,” said Sierra.
Students often go to the College and Career Center to get help with college applications. Many students don’t know where to begin or are stressed by the steps to take.
“A lot of students just don’t even know where to start for college applications,” Torey said. “They don’t know about financial aid or how to write college essays, especially the UC personal insight questions.”
Sierra said that a lot of students find it difficult to compare themselves to others, which could negatively impact their confidence.
“A lot of kids just feel like they’re unprepared compared to all their peers,” said Sierra.
She pointed out that even while volunteering, babysitting and working part-time jobs are beneficial opportunities, students often ignore them. They also help students who have different paths. The College and Career Center offers work experience, internships, apprenticeships and Regional Occupational Program (ROP) classes for students who want to learn about careers while being in high school. “We really try to emphasize that there’s not just one path,” Torey said. “Community college, trades or going straight to work are all valid options.”
The College and Career Center organizes presentations, workshops and school events to share important information with students. They encourage students to read their emails, follow social media updates and visit the center whenever they need help.
Senior Nicole Cabrera, talked about her experience with the College and Career Center and how it helped her this year.
“They helped me with my college applications and reviewed my essay before I submitted it,” Cabrera said.
Cabrera also talked about the help she received, which made everything feel less overwhelming.
“I feel really grateful because without them, everything would have been much harder,” Cabrera said.
The College and Career Center supports many students at San Leandro High by giving them the help and resources students need to feel more prepared about graduation and their future.
