High School Career Counseling Goes Blended

EJ Carrion, the co-founder of the Student Success Academy (SSA), noticed at his high school internship the challenges guidance counselors faced on a daily basis. The counselors were overwhelmed and did not have enough time in the day to assist students in college and career counseling. According to Jessica Slusser, "On average most students spend 38 minutes with a guidance counselor."

The Student Success Academy (SSA) have consultants who provide guidance to students by assisting them in finding college and career opportunities as well as helping students create and follow an action plan. The online curriculum offers resume building tools, test taking advice, college planning and interview advice.  The Success consultants are college students who attend one of the top 150 colleges in the country. They were selected because of their leadership skills, philanthropy and academic performance. All consultants have received scholarships, hold a leadership at their college/university and have experienced a professional internship.  SSA consultants spend approximately 12 hours a year with students. EJ Carrion and the Student Success Academy believe guidance counselors are stilled need. This curriculum is not to replace guidance counselors, but to help counselors have more time to be more involved in each student’s action plan.

Currently, the Student Success Academy is involved with 9 schools and work with over 250 students. According to Jessica Slusser, “Out of the first 150 students who went through the program, 92% were able to find a local mentor in their career field and 98% of students say they now have a plan after high school. Many students who’ve gone through the program moved up in their class and even students at risk not to graduate completed their diplomas.” The Student Success Academy hopes to be in every high school and to have every junior be matched up with a SSA consultant.

http://gettingsmart.com/2013/07/high-school-career-counseling-goes-blended/