BACK ON TRACK TOOLS & RESOURCES
STRATEGIC ASSESSMENT & PLANNING
PATHWAY DESIGN
PATHWAY IMPLEMENTATION
ENRICHED PREPARATION
POSTSECONDARY BRIDGING
FIRST-YEAR SUPPORT
Best Bet Profile
The Best Bet Profile is the result of the Counseling to Careers training - a developed "brochure" for counselors to use with students. Read more...
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How can we help students navigate their way into postsecondary credential or degree programs that lead them to high demand career pathways?
What jobs in the region are in-demand, pay well, and are accessible with less than a bachelor's degree?
How should regional demand influence the postsecondary pathways and work-based learning opportunities students pursue so that they are marketable and prepared to succeed in careers with high growth potential?
How should secondary and postsecondary pathways be designed to meet the needs of employers?
What are the "best bet" postsecondary programs of study that will quickly and efficiently lead to in-demand career opportunities and further education?
How can organizations most efficiently capture and analyze this information and use it with students and their families in decision-making?
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JFF Tools and Resources
Counseling to Careers Overview
This two-page resource gives a comprehensive overview of Counseling to Careers (CTC). CTC provides community colleges, programs, and schools with the tools to better connect students with programs of study that align with their interests and regional employment needs.
Related: Postsecondary Success Initiative, College-Going Culture, Community College, Community-Based Organizations, Counselor, District Leader, Student Support Staff, Using Data
The Best Bet Profile is a sample product of the Counseling to Careers training. As a result of the training, counselors/student support staff will develop a profile that integrates labor market data, in-depth postsecondary program information, and employer needs to enable students to make informed choices about their postsecondary and career path.
Related: Postsecondary Success Initiative, Community College, Counselor, Student Support Staff, Using Data
Employer Interview Guide
As part of the Counseling to Careers process, the Employer Interview Guide is essential to interview and collect data on regional employers to confirm labor market information and get a better understanding of the most sought after technical and professional skills in employees. This ready-to-use guide provides an exhaustive list of questions, as well as sample phone scripts and emails to help counselors, program leads, students and others to reach out to employers and learn more about career opportunities as well as entry requirements for technical careers.
Related: Postsecondary Success Initiative, Counselor, Student Support Staff
A Guide to using Labor Market Information
This comprehensive guide, part of JFF's Counseling to Careers training, provides key information on how to access and use labor market data and occupational information for your region. Understanding this data is especially important for student support staff and counselors who help students choose career pathways and associated postsecondary programs.
Related: Postsecondary Success Initiative, Community College, Community-Based Organizations, Counselor, Student Support Staff, Using Data
Additional Tools and Resources
Certificates: Gateway to Gainful Employment and College Degrees
In this report, the Center on Education and the Workforce analyze earnings by field of study, sex, race/ethnicity, and program length. One of the most important factors that affects earnings is whether certificate holders work in the same occupational field they studied in.
Related: Postsecondary Success Initiative, College-Going Culture, Community College, Counselor, School/Program Leader, Student Support Staff
Get With the Program: Accelerating Community College Students' Entry into and Completion of Programs of Study
This working paper by the Community College Research Center (CCRC) shows that student who do not enter a program within a year of enrollment are far less likely to ever enter a program and therefore less likely to earn a credential.
Related: Building Partnerships, College-Going Culture, Community College, Counselor, Student Support Staff, Using Data
First in the Family Website
This website provides practical advice and lessons learned by high school seniors and college students who have made it to college. Find student-produced personal stories and tips, along with planning checklists they have helped create. For college advisors, there's a special section with resources.