Summit Highlights Resources, Best Practices for Counselors

This month, school counselors from across the region came together at San Diego State University for the Counseling for Careers Summit, where the focus was on supporting students in navigating their future after high school. 

Hosted by the San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE), the K-16 Collaborative, and San Diego State University, the summit brought together educators, industry leaders, and higher education partners to help students see and access career pathways and options. 

Throughout the full day of learning, local school counselors presented along with industry experts and leaders to share best practices and actionable takeaways for ensuring every student sees how they can thrive in school and in life. 

"The summit reinforced the power of connection," shared Lezya Weglarz, SDCOE school counseling services project specialist. "When K-12, higher education, and industry come together with a shared purpose, we are better positioned to support all students in building futures they can see themselves in."

During the morning breakout sessions, counselors explored alternative options after high school, including regional apprenticeships, adult education through Poway Unified School District, and programs through San Diego Community College District Continuing Education and MiraCosta College Technology Career Institute. These sessions reinforced a critical message: college is a pathway, not the only pathway.

In the afternoon, sessions focused on practice with Escondido Union High School District's Vivian Carranco, college and career technical education content specialist, and Kelly Domitrz, school counselor. They presented with UC San Diego on how to use tools such as California Colleges Guidance Initiative and ASSIST, California's course transfer and articulation system, to support meaningful career exploration and aligned planning.

Industry experts underscored how career guidance can be rooted in real workforce needs, helping counselors connect students to in‑demand fields and clearly show the many pathways that lead from school to meaningful careers.

A panel discussion with leaders from General Atomics, EDF Power Solutions, and the San Diego Regional Airport Authority shared what they are looking for in talent and the multiple entry points students can take to get there. 

School counselors were also able to engage with faculty from community colleges across the region and learned about the pathways available through their programs in business, engineering, and technology.