Post-High School Options

Associated Builders and Contractors: http://www.abcil.org/

Build Illinois:  http://www.buildillinois.com/

Construction Industry Service Corporation: http://www.cisco.org/

Women in the Trades: https://cwit.org/

DuPage Make Your Way (paid training and internships in Manufacturing, Hospitality, Logistics, and Office Services for students who qualify): http://www.worknetdupage.org/youth/myway/make-your-way-youth-careers.html

Project Hire-Ed (College of DuPage’s apprenticeship program):  https://www.cod.edu/project-hire-ed/apprenticeship.aspx

Illinois Department of Employment Security: http://www.ides.illinois.gov/Pages/Apprenticeship.aspx

Updated Resource with various programs (trades, apprenticeships, certificates, etc.)   https://docs.google.com/document/d/1C7l_kvMaSc9FtnHBIcw-HSxaXG9_H-Dcdt3SXSBXMvQ/edit

Gap Year has been a common practice in the UK for years but has slowing been catching on in the US and elsewhere. Each year, York has seniors who determine that a gap year is the right choice for them. Most have applied to college during their senior year, accepted an offer of admission, and deferred their admission for a year, with consent of their college. Some decide to wait to apply to college during their gap year. We favor the first option as it gives students a firm plan and doesn't bind them with the complications of applying to college while they are participating in a gap year program that, potentially, may not allow them regular access to internet resources. In the vein, here are a few articles that may assist as students and families are considering all of their options.

• Time Magazine: Why Your High School Senior Should Take A Gap Year.
• Money Magazine: 5 Smart Reasons to Consider a Gap Year Before College
• US News & World Report: 8 Things to Know About A Gap Year
• US News & World Report: 4 College Application Strategies for Gap Year Students
• STEPS-Student Training & Education in Public Service : Things to know for Volunteer Gap Years

Gap Year Resources:

Here are a few organizations that collect information on a range of Gap Year Options:

USA Gap Year Fairs: https://usagapyearfairs.org/programs/

American Gap Association: https://www.americangap.org/

The Student Conservation Association: https://www.thesca.org/serve/program/gap-year

Americorps: https://www.nationalservice.gov/programs/americorps/americorps-nccc

City Year: https://www.cityyear.org/

Dynamy Internship: https://www.dynamy.org/

Global Volunteers: https://globalvolunteers.org/

Global Citizen Year: https://www.globalcitizenyear.org/

The US Military offers a wide range of programs to serve our country AND earn good money and great benefits. Though not all students feel they are suited to serving in the military, many students should at least consider the options. Below are some of those options with links to find out more. Students and parents should feel free to meet with their counselor or the CCRC Counselor to discuss these options. If we do not know the answers to all of your questions, we have contacts through the military who can help us help you. Similarly, we have Military Recruiters assigned to York for all branches. They typically set up visits once per semester and students are welcome to sign up for these visits, just like a college visit.

Overview of Military Options:  

http://todaysmilitary.com/

Other Sources: 

• https://www.villanovau.com/resources/military/should-you-go-to-college-before-joining-the-military/#.WXNNsBXyvZ4
• http://www.myfuture.com/military/articles-advice/enlisting-in-the-military 

Enlistment (enlist upon high school graduation): 

• http://todaysmilitary.com/joining/enlisting-in-the-military

Other Sources: 

• http://www.moneycrashers.com/joining-military-benefits-risks/

Reserves/Guard (enlist with varying commitments and benefits): 

• http://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/guard-and-reserve-faqs.html
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_sSHJMxN68&t=2s

ROTC (attending college first, with commitment to enlist as an officer upon college graduation -can be very competitive to earn): 

• http://todaysmilitary.com/training/rotc

Military Service Academies (Highly Selective military colleges - prepare during junior year and apply early in senior year): 

• http://todaysmilitary.com/training/service-academies-and-military-colleges

Sites to search for work: 

• Illinois Job Link: Create a profile, upload your resume, and apply! https://illinoisjoblink.illinois.gov/ada/r/job_seeker
• Indeed: Search by town, zip code, and/or job title. https://www.indeed.com/l-Illinois-jobs.html
• Snag-A-Job: Search for jobs by town. http://www.snagajob.com/states/il
• Monster: Post a resume, search for jobs. https://www.monster.com/jobs/l-illinois.aspx
• Career Builder: Search by job title, company, location, etc. http://www.careerbuilder.com/jobs-in-il

• Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS), Bureau of Recruitment and Hiring: Below are links to prerecorded virtual recruitment presentations (English or Spanish) that highlight careers and how to pursue gainful employment with the State of Illinois.  We offer a variety of full-time positions that require a GED or High School Diploma.

• High School Presentation - English

• High School Presentation - Spanish