School Counseling

In the college/career domain, school counselors help students plan for their future by providing guidance on college admissions, career exploration, and workforce readiness. They assist students in navigating the college application process, identifying financial aid opportunities, and making informed decisions about their post-secondary education. Counselors also offer career assessments and information on vocational training, internships, and other career pathways. Their role is crucial in helping students align their academic and personal strengths with their future goals, ensuring they are prepared for life beyond high school.

American School Counselor Association (ASCA) Resources

ASCA has compiled a career development toolkit with all the resources you need for your students. Spark discussions with ASCA's Career Conversation Starters. The Career Conversations Starters provide a guide for working with students, families and community members to address the ASCA Student Standards: Mindsets & Behaviors for Student Success. The career questions can be used to work with individuals and groups of students, families and community members. Check out Careers in a Flash to give your students short overviews of various career opportunities.

ASCA Position Statements: The School Counselor and Career Development and The School Counselor and Appraisal and Advisement for Postsecondary Preparation

SDCOE Professional Learning Workshops and Webinars

Workshop and webinars hosted and presented by SDCOE in the Career/College Domain will have all materials posted on this reference page:

Nov. 14, 2024 ASVAB Career Exploration Program 

• Type: Virtual Webinar

• Description: Participants will receive an In depth explanation of the ASVAB Career Exploration Program (CEP) and how it helps students identify their pathway. A walk through will explain a student's academic strengths and weaknesses, and how the student can see the jobs nationwide that are specific to their current academic standing and interest. The presentation will go through college scholarship opportunities, college admission information, and a resume builder to assist students with a part time job.

• Facilitator: Miguel A. Ortega Program Manager for the Career Exploration Program (CEP) and currently serves the counties of San Diego, Riverside, Imperial and Yuma, Arizona. Ortega is a 12-year Army Veteran and holds a Master’s Degree in Education.)

• Webinar Recording:  SDCOE School Counselor YouTube Playlist
• Slides: ASVAB Career Exploration Program

Oct. 16, 2024 CSU/UC Updates for San Diego County High School Counselors

• Type: In-Person Session
• Description: Meet local college representatives and learn important updates for both the UC and CSU systems. This session is designed for high school counselors in San Diego County who were unable to attend the fall UC and CSU school counselor conferences.
• Slides: SDSU and CSU Updates, Presenter: Matt Hebert
• Slides: CSU San Marcos, Presenter: Kheng Waiche
• Slides: Early Assessment Program (EAP), Presenter: Rosie Villafana-Hatcher
• Slides: UC San Diego, Presenter: John Huart
• Additional Resources: UC High School Counselor Conference (2024) | CSU Counselor Conference (2024)

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Financial Aid Guidebook for School Counselors: The Financial Aid Guidebook for School Counselors is an interactive guide filled with resources, tools, and documents to support schools in the delivery of this work. The 2025 FAFSA/CADAA window will open Dec. 1, 2024. 

• Financial Aid Resources for School Counselors: List of resources, contacts, and trainings for school counselors
• California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) Student Resources
• Foster Youth / Homeless Financial Aid Resources
• SDCOE Scholarship Database

California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI)

The California College Guidance Initiative (CCGI) works to smooth the path to college for California students and unify the efforts of the institutions that serve them. Combining data-driven tools and infrastructure with capacity building and student-focused curricula, we help close the gaps between systems and ensure that all California students, especially those who have been underrepresented in higher education, can move seamlessly from K-12 to college and career. 

CaliforniaColleges.edu is the State of California’s official college and career planning platform. Offering detailed information, curricula, and tools informed by students’ transcript data, it acts as a one-stop shop to help students discover their college and career goals, make plans for how to achieve them, and launch into fulfilling futures. 

• High School Lesson Plans
• Middle School Lesson Plans (Available Spring 2025)

College and Career Resources

Explore this curated list of resources that school counselors and others can use to aid and support students in preparation for their post-secondary options. 

• California College Affordability Summit (Nov. 2024): The 5th Annual California College Affordability Summit took place virtually on November 7, 2024. This event brought together K-12 educators, high school counselors, college financial aid administrators, student advocates, and policy leaders to share updates, resources, and tools for the 2025-26 application cycle. Links to materials and session recordings are available on their website.
• College Checklists: Individual checklists for all local community colleges, UCs, and most applied to California State Universities (CSU), to ensure that students are aware of important deadlines. 
• Career Technical Education (CTE): Resources for school counselors on implementing successful career pathways.
• College and Career Readiness Indicators (CCI) Chart: Infographic of the seven components to indicate that students are prepared for post-secondary options.
• California Career Resource Network (CalNRN)
• San Diego Workforce Partnership