Hello Students & Families,

Welcome to the College and Career Office!  

I am Dr. Jacobson (Dr. J) and I am here to assist you with your student's post high school plans. This year, we will be using the College and Career platform in Classlink called Xello.  In Xello, you will track careers, colleges, and tasks that you will need to complete in grades 9-12.  Students start working extensively with me during their 12th and 11th grade year to complete college applications, sign up for Saturday SAT/ACT tests, complete financial aid applications, search for scholarships or careers, attend college and university visits, and meet with representatives from colleges, employers and military recruiters.  However, there are activities in place for students in 9th and 10th grade to get started with planning for what comes after high school as well.

Also located in the Career Office is the Valencia Transition Coach, Ms. Andrea Richard.  She is available to assist students who are planning to attend Valencia College.  She is very knowledgeable in all aspects of counseling and is available to assist with applying to Valencia, as well as providing guidance on the programs and scholarship opportunities available to students planning to attend Valencia College. (Ms. Richard can be reached via email:  andrea.richard@osceolaschools.net, and grade level Remind)

For our seniors,  

• Many of you will decide to attend a college or university so we will be applying to schools and completing financial aid documents to get you moving on to college after you graduate. 
• Some of you may decide you'd like to learn a trade or skill that will get you working in a short amount of time, that is okay too!  There are many high paying careers that do not require a college degree.  You may spend some time at a technical college like oTECH, but programs generally take 12 weeks to a year. 
• Some of you may decide you want to serve our country by becoming an honored member of our armed services, so we will need to connect you with a recruiter and prepare for ASVAB. 
• And some of you may decide that you want to start working right away.  For this, we want to ensure that you have opportunities that are matched to your skills and interests and you get the job you want.

All of us at Gateway expect that you will have a plan for education, enlistment or employment when you walk across the stage at graduation and we are here to help you!