POWAY HIGH COUNSELING
February 2023
Academic Planning for 2023-24
UPCOMING EVENTS
February 6: CRF presentations in Homeroom.
February 6-10: National School Counselors Week
February 7: Career Speaker Series, Lawyer
February 7 @ 5:30 pm: Community College Night at RBHS (see flyer and Zoom link below)
February 10: Online CRF registration window Opens (PHS website)
February 14: Career Speaker Series, Mental Health Counselor
February 15: Elective Fair, Quad
February 16: Thursday Trade Day - Certified Nurse Assistant
February 17: Return completed and signed CRF to your homeroom teacher
February 20-24: District Recess - No School
Counselor Contact Information
The counselors have open office hours for students Before School, Break, Lunch, and After School. Parents can schedule appointments with their student's counselor by emailing them.
Counselors
A - Dag: Karly Wardwell
Dah - Hoc: Jerrah Smith
Hod - McG: Tanya Ibrahim
McH - Rue: Blanca Arreguin
Ruf - Z: Jerilyn Padua-Reyes
Intervention/CTE: Kyle Levesque
Poway to Middle College Information Meeting Feb. 9th
Save the date for the Poway to Middle College Information meeting next Thursday, Feb. 9th at lunch. Will you be a junior during the 2023-24 school year? Do you want to save money by starting college early? Are you looking for a smaller learning environment with extra support? Then you might want to hear more about joining PUSD’s Middle College High School.
SAT/ACT Testing Dates 2023-24
Juniors! If you plan to take the ACT or SAT this school year, please pay close attention to the dates to avoid late fees or missing the test entirely. You can register for the SAT at the College Board website here. You can register for the ACT at the ACT website here.
Class of 2024 - Career and College Planning Resources
When you think about your plans after high school, there are many different options:
- Immediately start in the workforce
- Decide the Military is your path
- Enjoy a gap year
- Begin a trade school program
- Attend a two-year community college
- Choose a four-year college/university
As we head into the spring months, you may continue exploring these options, or you may say to yourself, how do I get started? Your journey can start by researching different career options, gathering online information, creating a college list, getting a job or internship, and/or asking questions to those around you about their career paths. We've listed a few resources below to help you with this process. Finally, remember to enjoy the journey. Take a deep breath, know that you don't need to have it all figured out right now, and believe that you've got this! Counselors will give homeroom presentations to all Juniors in January reviewing career and college options.
How do I get started?
- Xello - explore careers and colleges. Every student has a username and password. Email ITHELP@powayusd.com for technical assistance.
- College Board - create your college roadmap
- Niche.com - create your college list
- Cappex.com - compare colleges
- The ASVAB Program can help with career exploration. Taking the ASVAB does NOT commit a student to enlist in the military.
- Building Your College List worksheet
- Attend career presentations with industry professionals in various career sectors
- Attend college visits in fall 2023
- Watch PUSD CTE College & Career Fair Fall 2022 Presentation Videos
- In-person or virtual college campus tours
How do you know if a college is the right fit for you?
First, research! Think about the things that are most important to you - student life, academics, location, size, and more. Start by looking at each college's Instagram account, and what is featured on each school's website. You can get a great feel for the campus vibe and student life by exploring these sites for your college research.
Areas to research:
- Majors and Minors
- Extracurricular Activities
- Community Service
- Study Abroad Opportunities
- Campus Vibe
- Internship Opportunities
- Housing Options
- School Traditions
Secondly, visit (virtually or in-person)! Not only can you get a feel for the school culture by exploring their social media accounts and websites but also visit each campus online from the comfort of your home. We recommend that you reach out to the admissions team and ask if the college offers virtual information sessions and on-line campus tours. Also, ask if they would be willing to connect you with a current student so you could ask questions over the phone or Zoom. It's important to try to get information from current students and learn about their college experience. If you decide to visit a campus in-person, we recommend that you chat with other students, ask them what they like about the school or what they don't like, sit in on a class to get a feel for the learning environment, and check out the housing options.
Tips for Interviewing for a Scholarship, Internship, or a New Job
You did it! You filled out an application and received an invitation for an interview. First thing, congratulations! Now let's help you prepare for the interview with a few helpful suggestions. You want to make a good impression and this list can help you do that!
Dress the part:
Your appearance is important. Every job has different attire requirements, depending on the line of work, so it's important to do your research and ask questions ahead of time to ensure you are dressed appropriately. In some cases, the culture of the organization may allow for a more casual look. For an office/business type setting, you might wear a nice dress shirt or blouse and nice pants, not jeans. Your clothes and your hair are an important part of your appearance, but it shouldn't be the focal point. The most important thing is to look presentable.
Arrive on time:
Get to your interview 10 to 15 minutes before you are scheduled. This is an easy way to make a good impression. It also gives you time to take some deep breaths and relax before you start the interview.
Eliminate distractions:
Avoid chewing gum and leave your cell phone in the car or turn it off.
Body Language:
It's normal to be nervous, but try to relax. Sit with both legs on the ground and hands placed in front of you or next to you. Try not to sit with your arms tightly crossed or leaning back too much. Make eye contact when the interviewer is asking a question or you're answering a question. If you have a difficult time with looking people in the eye, focus on an eyebrow or on the space between the person's eyes. This makes it appear as if you are looking at them.
Asking questions:
The interview is about you, but you should come with a few questions to show interest in the organization. It helps to learn about the place you are working before hand, so a quick google search can be helpful to come up with questions to ask. There is no such thing as a wrong question, but try to avoid talking about pay or award amount. One of the best questions to ask is "What are you looking for?" and then follow up with an answer on how you fit their needs.
Talking about yourself:
This can be both difficult and easy. Try talking about your education, your interests, your accomplishments, sports, class projects, clubs, volunteer work, etc. Have a few topics in mind before your interview and be ready to talk about them, giving specific examples. Stay positive and humble.
After the interview:
Write a thank you note! Either email, or snail mail. Your email or written note should be short and sweet. Double check your note for typos and make sure you spelled the person's name correctly. See resources in Titan Center or Google thank you notes!
This list is a nice start with a few basic rules for an interview. The Titan Center has reading materials with more in depth information to help with your first job and job interviews. Students can browse through them during off-roll, lunch, and after school. Good luck with your interview!
Tuesday Career Speaker Series
We have two more career presentations for this series. On February 7th, students will learn about becoming a lawyer and tips for picking a college major and learn about becoming a Mental Health Counselor on February 14th. Scan the QR code to sign up or register here.
FAFSA Priority Deadline is March 2nd!
- StudentAid.gov/completefafsa - access to resources (FAFSA, worksheets, etc.)
- 800-433-3243 (800-4FED-AID)
Looking for local scholarships?
Our Scholarship Deadline Log has national and local scholarship opportunities, and it is updated weekly. In addition, Seniors, we encourage you to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible. Priority Deadline is March 2nd, 2023. This application will let colleges know that you need money to attend their school. Review our Scholarship Workshop Presentation and Scholarship Resources webpage to learn about additional resources to help with searching for scholarships.
As you may know, The San Diego Foundation Community Scholarship program 2023-24 Common Scholarship Application opened January 19th. There are over 100 scholarships available to apply for until the deadline of March 8th.
Free Community College for first-time college students
Does Your Student Need Help with Community College Applications and/or Financial Aid Applications??
Poway High students and parents are invited to visit the Titan Center to start your FAFSA or CADAA application during the entire month of February, Monday - Friday from 8AM to 2PM. Our goal is to help Seniors submit their financial aid forms by the priority deadline March 2nd. These funds are important and can help pay for college and trade schools. For additional information, please contact Jaime Brown at jbrown@powayusd.com.
Tutoring Options
Free tutoring is available after school in the Titan Center on Mondays from 3:45-4:30pm and before and after school on Wednesdays from 8:55am - 9:55am and 3:45-4:30pm.
Paid Student Tutors
We also maintain a list of students who are approved by PHS Teachers to tutor students. Please contact Jaime Brown in the Titan Center for the list.
A Message from Mrs. Struck
Natural High for Parents
https://www.naturalhigh.org/for-parents/
Natural High has made talking to your kids about drugs and alcohol easier. Watch a short video by a storyteller they're interested in, and have a conversation…
Drug Free Partnership
https://drugfree.org/prevention-and-taking-action-early/
The teen and young adult years are confusing, complicated and formative. Understanding what's happening socially and developmentally — and how it can intersect with substance use — is fundamental to setting the stage for healthier outcomes.
National Suicide Prevention Resource
Call 1-800-273-8255 (TALK)
Available 24 hours everyday
OR
Text HOME to 741741 to connect with a Crisis Counselor
Free 24/7 support at your fingertips