Career & Post-Secondary Planning
>
Best Job Rankings on U.S. News
Good jobs are those that pay well, challenge us, are a good match for our talents and skills, aren't too stressful, offer room to advance and provide a satisfying work-life balance. The Best Jobs of 2023 are ranked according to their ability to offer this mix of qualities. Search for the career that's right for you.
BigFuture | CollegeBoard
Looking for a specific college? Want to explore career options? Utilize helpful tools for Financial Aid Planning.
Career Outlook | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Career Outlook articles provide data and information on a variety of topics—including occupations and industries, pay and benefits, and more. These articles are helpful for students, career counselors, jobseekers, and others planning careers.
Career Pathways @ Derry Area High School
As an organizing tool for curriculum design and instruction, Career Pathways provide the essential knowledge and skills needed for sixteen (16) Career Clusters. It also functions as a useful guide in developing programs of study bridging secondary and post-secondary curriculum and for creating individual student plans of study for a complete range of career options. As such, it helps students discover their interests and their passions, and empowers them to choose the educational pathway that can lead to success in high school, college and career.
A College Application Checklist (Grade 9 through Grade 12)
High school students can use this college application checklist to stay on task from freshman year through senior year. Prepare for a great high school experience. You'll be able to grow inside and outside the classroom while making sure you're ready to apply to college in a few years. Although the coronavirus pandemic has disrupted opportunities for standardized tests and shifted many college visits from campus to online, college hopefuls can remain curious, investigate virtually and continue to work toward future goals. Careful planning and good choices over time make for strong options later. Use the following college application checklist to stay on track.
A Complete Guide to the College Application Process
Review the articles below to assist you in the college application process. If you have specific questions, please visit your school counselor.
By Cole Claybourn
September 18, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.
September 18, 2023, at 8:00 a.m.
By Sarah Wood
October 27, 2022, at 9:08 a.m.
October 27, 2022, at 9:08 a.m.
By Courtney Rubin and Cole Claybourn
July 26, 2023, at 9:27 a.m.
July 26, 2023, at 9:27 a.m.
Copyright 2023 © U.S. News & World Report L.P.
College Rep Days
College Rep Days are back! On these days, college, technical school and military representatives visit the high school during homeroom, 10:49-11:19, to share information and answer questions. Below are links to the calendar which indicates the dates that representatives will be visiting and the sign-up form which will allow students to select a representative to meet with during homeroom. For each representative that a student would like to meet with, the student will need to complete and submit a new form each time. If you have questions, please see your school counselor. Note, if a representative has a TBD (To Be Determined) listed, that means that a date has not yet been set. Students can still sign-up for a representative that has TBD listed. The Counseling Office will contact students with a specific meeting date once it has been confirmed.
Common Application
Each college has its own specific application process. Some have a unique form, while others rely on the Common Application. Included in the link below is a step-by-step walkthrough of the Common Application to give you a sense of what is included.
Education Planner
Addresses three major areas: Thinking About College, Choosing A College, and Paying For College. Students can even take a free Career Interest Inventory and learn about careers.
Military Service
For thousands of young American men and women, serving in the military has long been a path to both social and economic mobility. Military service is a great way to see the world while learning valuable skills that can be transferred to civilian life. And, there are many benefits to military service.
Occupational Outlook Handbook
The Occupational Outlook Handbook is a nationally recognized source of career information, designed to provide valuable assistance to individuals making decisions about their future work lives. The Handbook is revised every two years. Everything you wanted to know about occupations is included in this handbook.
PA CareerZone
Pennsylvania CareerZone is a proven, successful career exploration and planning system designed especially for students. As students us their school issued Chromebook, accessing PA CareerZone should be easy. A student just needs his/her school email and password.
Users are encouraged to work through the Interest Profiler, Work Importance Profiler, and Assess Yourself assessment based on the Holland Codes for self-exploration. Comprehensive information on occupations includes state specific wages, worker attributes, job characteristics, and much more. There are career videos that give users a snap shot of the featured occupation.
PAWORKSTATS
In the link below, careers listed are the top 5 careers in Pennsylvania by industry cluster. Also listed are where those top 5 careers in Pennsylvania rank within Westmoreland-Fayette Counties. The sixth career listed is the next top career within Westmoreland-Fayette Counties. The ranking is based on projected Annual Demand.