College & Career Center Newsletter

Make an appointment with Mrs. Klaus at: calendly.com/rklaus/15min to talk about current college applications, future college / career planning, resources available to our students, or just to hang out. I look forward to meeting you all and helping in anyway I can.

• Message
• Grade Level Specific Information
• Upcoming Events
• Scholarships
• Klaus's Kernels
• Opportunities / Jobs / Volunteering
• College Spotlight
• Career Spotlight
• Want More?

Only 1 week before the CUHSD College Fair held right here in the Westmont High School Gym on Monday September 19th, 6-8pm. Please make sure to mark it on your calendar and stop by. There will be a food truck by the theater if you are worried about having time for dinner. The whole family is welcome and Admission is FREE! If you complete a BINGO card by talking to Admission Reps, you can get a cool "Find your Best Fit" sticker. Go to https://tinyurl.com/cuhsdfair2022 for a list of which colleges will be attending.

We've had 2 workshops so far and had a great turnout of students. If you missed the workshops you find the slides on Canvas in the Student Services Hub -> College & Career -> Events. Make sure to check out the upcoming workshops.

9/13 @ 10:15 am - Senior Workshop - Self Description for College Essays

9/27 @ 10:15 am - Senior Workshop - Gathering Information for Applications

Hopefully you have signed up for the PSAT/NMSQT to be held on October 15th. If you would like to take a Practice Test for the PSAT/NMSQT check out the online practice event we are having on September 24th 9am-1pm. You can Register for this event at: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/149082/

Also, you can always find practice information at KhanAcademy.com.

Now is a good time for you to start exploring different types of careers. There is no pressure for you to choose one now but it's good to see what's out there. Roadtrip Nation travels the country interviewing people in different careers. They just came out with a short video about 5 jobs for people who love animals. So if you love animals, check it out on YouTube at this LINK.

Hopefully you attended the Club Fair and signed up for several clubs so you can find out where you want to get involved at school. There are so many fun clubs to be part of for all of your interests. Also, all Freshman had the Guidance Presentation during their PE class. You should be informed of all of the resources available to you. Please make sure to complete your Strengths Explorer in Naviance if you did not do so during the presentation. This is a good place for you to start figuring out your strengths and your likes which can direct you to potential future careers. It's easy to login to your Naviance account by logging into your school chromebook to your school gmail account and clicking on the Naviance icon on the list of apps. You don't need a username or password. Check it out.

Save the date September 19th, 6-8pm and come to the College Fair. Get a College BINGO card with some questions to ask the Admission Counselors and they will mark off squares that match their college. When you have marked off 5 squares in a row take it to the BINGO table for a cool "Find YOUR Best Fit" sticker. When you leave, make sure to take the Exit Survey and get a cookie. Go home with lots of college swag and a ton of information about colleges across the country. Go to: tinyurl.com/cuhsdfair2020 for a list of schools that will be at the fair.

Here are the scheduled visits for this month. Click HERE for the complete up to date list. All events are IN PERSON in the Library unless specified otherwise.

9/13 @ 10:15 am - Senior Workshop - Self Description for College Essays

9/20 @ 10:15 am - Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

9/21 @ 10:15 am - De Paul University (IL)

9/22 @ 10:15 am - Oregon State University

9/22 @ 12:30 pm - Southern Oregon University

9/26 @ 10:15 am - Johnson & Wales University - Providence (RI)

9/27 @ 10:15 am - Senior Workshop - Gathering Information for Applications

9/27 @ 12:30pm - FIDM: Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising, Los Angeles

Register now for this event.

During this live event we’ll cover:

• Saving for college – it is never too late!
• How to select a college and how much it will cost
• FAFSA - what, why and how
• Understanding a financial aid offer
• How to find and apply for scholarships and grants – FREE $$$
• Education loan options
• Free tools and resources to make the process easier

Revolution Prep are offering FREE practice tests to Westmont students. Please see below…

Dates: SAT – Saturday, September 24

ACT – Saturday, September 24

Time: 9:00am – 1:00pm PDT - Live Online!

Register here: https://www.revolutionprep.com/partners/149082/

Materials will be emailed to students 24 hours before the exam.

See this scholarship spreadsheet for a complete list of scholarships. This spreadsheet has tabs at the bottom for each month. Click on January and February to see what scholarships are due during the next 2 months. You might be eligible to apply! There are many for seniors only but there are some contests open to all grades so check them out!

Scholarship Spotlight

Don't Text and Drive Scholarship - $1000 Open to all high school students in any grade. Application requires 140-character message about texting while driving. Finalists will need to write 500-1000 word essay.

Due September 30th. APPLY NOW

2022 Good Tidings Community Service Scholarship Application - $10,000, Our scholarship aims to reward low-income high school seniors who have committed themselves to community service. Applications are submitted online and DUE Friday, November 11, 2022 at 1PM PST. For application and more info please go to:

https://apply.mykaleidoscope.com/scholarships/goodtidingsscholarship2022

College Visits have started! I'm collecting some FUN FACTS about the colleges that have visited:

- Texas Tech University in Lubbock has an annual Carol of the Lights festival in December with over 24,000 lights and thousands of people in attendance. Apparently it is quite SPECTACULAR!

- The University of Utah football team fans have a tradition called the "3rd Down Jump". Whenever the other team is trying for a 3rd down, all of the fans jump in unison creating an actual "seismic" event measurable by seismograph stations. That just might startle the other team!

- Washington State University has a grizzly bear habitat, they make their own cheese "Cougar Gold" and their own ice cream. They are also credited for inventing the Cosmic Crisp Apple.

- Grand Canyon University (not located in the Grand Canyon, but in Phoenix, AZ) holds a Midnight Madness Party at Midnight at the start of the NCAA March Madness where they introduce the basketball players and get rallied up for the tournament.

- Santa Clara University is most famous for producing NBA player Steve Nash. He was, however, originally recruited to be a soccer player until he was noticed by the basketball coach dribbling a ball around campus and asked to try out for the basketball team.

We are looking for parents to be trained for proctoring the PSAT/NMSQT test on Saturday, October 15th at Westmont High School.

Time: 7:30am - 1:00pm

Training: Brief training via zoom prior to the day of the test

Skills: Student check in and identify seat assignment to student from a list. Will pass out tests and collect tests. Must be able to read directions out loud clearly. Must be able to follow a time schedule and notify students when time for each section is ending.

Pay: Proctors will be paid minimum wage for their time.

If interested please signup at: PSAT Proctoring Interest Form

HSIP is virtual program conducted over 9 zoom sessions, where high school students gain an introduction to the health sciences field. Students will be hearing from a great array of graduate students, research professors and health professionals as they learn more about the academic, research and professional components of the health sciences. They will also have the opportunity to take workshops on various topics like college admissions and work on a group research project. The program takes place from September 24th to November 19th through Zoom on Saturdays, and all class years can apply. Students can choose from two sessions (1 - 4pm or 4 - 7pm) and the Fall application deadline is September 18th. The program is free for all students whose families qualify for the Free and Reduced lunch program. Check this FLYER for more information and check out this Snapshot of the program contents.

Apply at: impactinternships.org/hsip

If you are looking for opportunities to volunteer in the community, check out this website:

teensvolunteer.org

You can select Santa Clara County and/or online options.

Signup to help out with the Capri Fall Festival and earn community service hours. Saturday, October 22nd 12-4pm at Capri Elementary, 850 Chapman Drive in Campbell.

Signup HERE.

If you are a senior and think you might be interested in a career in the Pipes Trades, check out this information session. Learn to be a welder, plumber, pipefitter and more. The Pipes Trades Training Center holds this sessions on the second Tuesday of every month.

See this FLYER for more information.

Last year, CUHSD’s Food Services team served over one million meals, a record for CUHSD! To make this year another successful year, food services seeks part-time student workers to work during break and lunchtime and for adults seeking to work part-time 3.5 hour shifts during the school day. Join the team today!

• Students interested in job opportunities can apply online using the student worker application. The cafeteria employs students to work during break and lunchtime.

If you have a passion for working with youth and you enjoy being outdoors, come volunteer at Walden West for a week at our residential outdoor school!

All information and necessary forms can be found at https://sites.google.com/sccoe.org/walden-west/volunteers

Goodwill of Silicon Valley's annual GoodFest event is around the corner, and we need volunteers! We need volunteers for both the event date and the day prior for setup.

September 30th, 2022, 8 AM - 3 PM: SET UP CREW

Saturday October 1st, 2022, 9 AM - 4 PM: FESTIVAL DAY

Volunteers are welcome to break up these shifts, but they must volunteer at LEAST 4 HOURS MINIMUM. Anyone interested in volunteering needs to complete the 2022 Goodfest Volunteer Form

If you are looking for a part-time job, check out Round Table Pizza on Pollard Road. They want you!

Stop by 1472 Pollard Road, Los Gatos to get an application or call (408) 379-4691.

The lifeguard staff is responsible for the safety of the swimming programs, including supervision of recreation swim, adult lap swim, water exercise and instruction of swim lessons for all ages.

• Must be 15 years of age or older
• For certified or previously certified Lifeguards
• $16 per hour
• Must pass fingerprint clearance
• Candidates must be able to pass all American Red Cross Lifeguard Training requirements.

To apply or get more information click HERE.

Hiring lifeguards, swim instructors, front desk, deck guards, and more. Hiring at Blossom Hill and Bascom Ave. locations.

Apply NOW at: WaterworksSwim.com

If you would like to earn community service hours while helping elderly senior citizens with every day chores such as shopping, laundry, housework, etc. please fill out this Volunteer Form.

Sitting in the beautiful college town of Ashland, Oregon lies Southern Oregon University- which like its name- is in Southern Oregon. SOU is in Outside Magazine’s top 10 best towns in America, and that completely does it justice. With its beautiful array of trees bursting with shades of green, red, and yellow, it’s unlike anything you can find in dry California. You get about 2-3 seasons, with the summers in the high 80s and the winters in the low 50s.

SOU is a liberal arts school, and its smaller size makes it perfect for that sense of belonging to a community and feeling seen by the faculty. Speaking of so, the faculty to student ratio is 19/1 (Westmont being 24/1). SOU offers 41 majors, and is most known for its theatre program, for Ashland is famous for its annual Shakespeare festival. They also offer 44 minors, as well as 14 graduate (masters) programs.

Good news! Southern Oregon University is a part of the WUE program. For those of you who don’t know what WUE is, WUE stands for Western Undergraduate Exchange, and it partners with schools from the West coast and Northwest to offer lower admission rates to students in participating states. Thanks to WUE, instead of paying out of state tuition (about $49,368 with room and board), you would pay about $35,700. It’s still a lot of money, but an amazing deal with almost $15,000 off. Even as an Oregon resident you pay about $31,000, so take advantage of the discount that WUE provides us.

SOU is still currently test optional, and the requirements are very similar to the A-G requirements, however they require one extra year of history (three instead of two) and they don’t require any performing arts (but Westmont does so make sure you get your one year in!).

SOU is a great option for you if you’re looking to stay relatively close to home, want to go to a private school but don’t want to pay ridiculous fees, and want to go to a smaller school with beautiful scenery. Also, they’re visiting our school on September 22nd from 12:30-1:00 so make sure to go!

Quick Facts

• Enrollment: 5362
• Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 19:1
• Tuition: $27,765/ year (Non Resident), $14,130 / year (WUE
• Cost of Attendance: $49,368 (Non Resident), $35,700/ year (WUE)

Top Majors:

• Business, Management, Marketing, and Related Support Services
• Social Sciences
• Visual and Performing Arts
• Education
• Psychology
• Biological Sciences

Tax consultants often prepare tax returns for clients, or they provide information and advice to help clients fill out their own tax returns. They answer client questions, help them prepare for future tax situations, and analyze information to ensure compliance with government regulations.

Tax consultants should boast strong skills in communication, critical thinking, and complex problem-solving. Because tax consultants work with the public, they need excellent interpersonal and customer service abilities, as well. They should know how to listen to people to understand their financial situations and what type of help they need. They must be able to clearly communicate verbally and in writing. They also have to be assertive. They have to have a basic understanding of laws, legal codes, and government regulations. They have to be good with technology since the job is based on that.

Quick Facts

Median Pay: $76,464 per year ( in CA but it can change to state to state)

$33 per hour

Typical Entry-Level Education: 60 hours of tax preparation education. CPA (ceritifed public account) license and EA (Enrolled Agent) license or CTEC (California Tax Education Counsel) license.

On the job training: Yes

Requirements: Education (yearly education, every year) and state license

Higher Education: CPA license and EA license. CTEC license. Extra: some have a bachelor's degree in accounting and finance.

If you are hungering for more information, here is a link to the Prospect College and Career Center Newsletter which has everything you would ever want to know and more. Mrs. Bencomo does a great job with her newsletter so check it out. It is full of resources and links to opportunities that are applicable to all students, not just Prospect students. Go to: https://bit.ly/CCCweeklySep09_2022

If you want to live a happy life, tie it to a goal, not to people or things.

-- Albert Einstein