Presenters from the counseling department discussed career and trade-oriented opportunities during a Jan. 28 information session.

This nearly 45-minute presentation contained information regarding opportunities through courses at Susquehannock, the York County Alliance for Learning (YCAL) and the state. In the past, the counseling department held evening hours in which students and their families could meet with counselors. Counselor and presenter Kate Miklos was involved in the transition to after-school programs more than 10 years ago.

“That was just the counselors here in the evening, usually from 6-8 p.m., so that if families had questions or needed to meet… they could then get in touch with us in the evening,” Miklos said. “A lot of people didn’t take advantage of that. We started developing these evening programs on topics that we thought would be helpful, or we actually asked through different surveys of the students and the parents…”

The night is hosted towards the end of January each year, mostly due to the timing of the scheduling portal. Career and college coordinator Matt Amberman also presented at the event and noted the many factors that determine what opportunities students take advantage of.

“We want to make students aware of their options because as they become upperclassmen, there are more options, whether it’s [career] practicum, the internships, dual enrollment… potential for military, all the different pre-apprenticeships [and] YCAL exploration programs,” Amberman said. “Just so they know what’s coming, so that when they do make their schedule, they can take into account what opportunities they will have.”

Counselor and presenter Billie-Jean Miller recognizes that some students are only interested in either college programs or career programs, not both. The difference in interest is what created multiple nights covering different topics.

“We separate the two [information sessions] apart so each person only has to really hear and listen to the things that they’re interested in,”

Miller said. “If they’re interested in both, then they can come to both.”

Aside from receiving information from staff, it is recommended that students talk to people in their lives who are involved with their field of interest.

“A lot of kids that tend to be interested in this path are usually taking some of our shop classes or classes that are interesting to them in that direction,” Miklos said. “I would encourage them to talk with their teachers as well. It’s always a good idea and a good way to get information by not just talking to the people I mentioned, but family, friends, aunts, uncles, neighbors, to find out what they do and how they get to that point.”