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“The Future Starts Now:  College and Career Planning for K-12 Families”
Check back for 2013-2014 College and Career Planning Events!


Our 2013 presenters were outstanding.  If you would like to contact them
please request information via the comment box on the homepage.





Career Cluster Conversations

Community members representing Maryland's ten career clusters will be available for informal Q&A with students and parents.  They will talk about their own careers and career paths, other careers in their field, and the training and/or education needed for their careers.  Washington County Technical High School will also be represented, and career-related literature will be available.

Stayed tuned for a listing of community members who will be available to discuss their career paths with students:

Arts, Media, and Communication
Business Management and Finance
Construction and Development
Consumer Services, Hospitality, and Tourism
Environmental, Agricultural, and Natural Resource Systems
Health and Biosciences
Human Resource Services
Information Technology
Manufacturing, Engineering, and Technology
Transportation Technologies



Schedule of Events

5:30 Doors Open
Registration

Welcome in Auditorium
5:45 – 9:00 Career Clusters in Cafeteria
6:15 – 6:45 Session 1
6:55 – 7:25 Session 2 and Panel Discussion
7:35 – 8:05 Session 3 and Panel Discussion
8:15 – 8:45 Session 4 and Panel Discussion
9:00 Doors Close


Please Note:  Career Cluster Conversations will run concurrently with Information Sessions.  Three different panels will be offered.


Door Prizes...Concession Stand...Sign Language and World Language Interpreters...Something for Everyone!

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We would like to thank the WCPS Education Foundation and all our corporate partners for their support of our students.

Click here for a listing of contributions made to the WCPS Education Foundation in support of The Future Starts Now.


College Information Sessions

A variety of specialized topics will be offered for elementary, middle, and high school audiences. Each session will repeat throughout the evening so that families have the opportunity to attend a variety of presentations. Sessions will last 30 minutes, so you can choose four to attend.  We encourage our high school students to venture out on their own.

Sessions are divided into color zones to help you plan your evening.

BELIEVE...
Panel Discussions with Washington County Community Members
Moderator, Brien Poffenberger, President, Hagerstown-Washington County Chamber of Commerce

I Want to Be the First!  Advice and Resources for the First to College in Your Family      
Participants: Kelly Jordan, Student, UMBC; Jamie Mathewson, Case Manager, The Family Center; Katie Stotelmyer, Social Studies Teacher, The Family Center; Larry Winston, ParaPro North Hagerstown High School

Been There, Done That:  Q and A with Parents of College Students
Participants: Daphne Anderson-Hughes, Lori Brandt, Ralph Parchment, and Cynthia Perini

I Wish I Had Known:  Words of Wisdom from College Students
Participants: Nate Brandt, Virginia Tech University; Tyler Brown, Virginia Tech University; Umar Mahmood, Syracuse University;  Lexi Turano, Gettysburg College

DREAM...
Career Exploration: Using the PAWS and Bridges Program
Presenters:  WCPS Counselors Jacklyn Kinzer, Emma K. Doub Elementary; Lauren McDermott, Boonsboro Middle  
 
Chart Your Path to College:  A Guide for Middle-Schoolers and Their Parents
Presenter:  Linnita Hosten, Outreach Coordinator, University System of Maryland       
                    
Heart in The Arts? Explore Your Options for Creative Careers!
Presenter: Shannon Kelley, Counselor, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts

From Cradle to Career:  Developing a College-Going Culture in Your Home
Presenters: Fountaindale Elementary School Teachers, Courtney Leard and Erik Vreeland; and Jackie Cheney, Lead Teacher, Fountaindale

Inspired by STEM?  An Excellent Career Choice for Women Too
Presenter:  Dr. Jennifer Childress, Senior Science Advisor, Achieve

It's Never too Early:  Tax-Advantaged College Savings Plans
Presenter: Laura Spessard, Financial Advisor, RBC Wealth Management
 
Tech Savvy?  Careers and Trends in Information Technology
Presenter:  Jason Rappaport, President/CEO, Innovative Incorporated
 

EXPLORE...
Career Clusters: Here is your chance to chat with community members about their experiences and discover how to turn your interests into a career.

Education Pays:  What is the starting salary of a college graduate in my area of interest?  What degree do I need to be qualified?  Stop at the display to look up your options.

WCPS Career Academy Displays

WCPS Advancement via Individual Determination: Opening Doors to Opportunity
Presenter: Chris Downs, AVID Coordinator and Lead Teacher, Williamsport High School and Duane McNairn, Principal, North Hagerstown High School

WCPS Upward Bound: Be the First to College
Presenters: Beth Hoffman, Upward Bound Coach/English Teacher, North High, and Mylynh Nguyen, Upward Bound Coordinator

PLAN...
College Planning Starts Now:  Talk to Your College Coaching Expert
Presenter:  Meggan Day, Counselor, Clear Spring High School

Guiding the College-Bound Athlete:  Everything You Need to Know
Presenter:  David Jones, Raymond James Financial Services and Locomotive FC

Ivy Bound: One Scientist's Debt-Free Path
Presenter:  Dr. Justin Hartings, President, Biaera and President, Washington County Board of Education

Make Your Plan:  Using Bridges to Create Your Top College List
Presenter:  Andrew Gossard, WCPS Career Technician

Standing Out and Getting In:  What Colleges Look for in Applicants
Presenter:  Lisa Romeo, Admissions Counselor, University of Maryland, Baltimore County

Start Here, Go Anywhere:  Transferring from HCC to a 4-Year College
Presenters:  From Hagerstown Community College: Chris Baer, Academic Advisor; Kevin Crawford, Recruitment Coordinator; and Mike Martin, Coordinator of Academic Advising

The Right Fit:  Tips for Your College Search
Presenter:  Ryan Ludwig, Admissions Counselor, Shepherd University

ACT...
Choosing a Major:   What Could You Study?  What Can You Be?
Presenter: Gilbert Bonafé, Jr., College Adviser, National College Advising Corps at Greencastle-Antrim High School

Countdown to College:  Must-Dos for High School Students
Presenter:  Krista Downs, Counselor, Williamsport High School

Don’t Procrastinate! Plan, Prepare, and Produce:  Get the SAT Score You Want
Presenter:  Tom Gillin, Senior Educational Manager, College Board

Find the Funds:  State Financial Aid and the FAFSA
Presenter:  Isaiah Ellis, Maryland Higher Education Commission

Free Money for College:  Tips for Finding and Earning Scholarships
Presenter: Julie Matheny, Lead Counselor, Central Office and Counselor, Clear Spring High School

Market Yourself:  Tips for Writing a Great Application Essay
Presenter:  Liz Matheny, Department Leader and Teacher, Smithsburg High School

The True Cost of a Private College:  It Might Be Less Than You Think
Presenter:  Robert Freund, Program Director, National College Advising Corps-Keystone Region at Franklin and Marshall






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Navigation Through and Beyond WCPS
For more College and Career Information check out the WCPS Counseling and WCPS Career Technology websites.