Career Planning

Career planning can begin at any time. Explore your interests, learn about careers that match your skills and goals, and identify opportunities that can help you prepare for your future education, training, and career pathway.

Resources

Naviance Student

What is Naviance Student?

Naviance Student helps students explore colleges and careers, search for scholarships, complete surveys and assessments, request transcripts, and manage college applications.

Access Naviance Student

Access the Naviance Student portal.
Select Student and Single Sign-On.
Sign in with your SLPHS Google account.

Create Your College List

Log in to Naviance Student.
Click the College tab.
Select Colleges I'm Applying To.
Click Add.
Search for the college you are applying to.
Choose your application type.
Select the application platform you are using.
If you have already submitted your application, mark Application Submitted.
Click Save.
Repeat these steps for each college on your list.
Review and update your list regularly to track application submissions, transcript requests, and deadlines.

Explore the career readiness roadmap

Goal

Description

Suggested Grade

Resource/Action

Explore three career clusters

Research careers in at least three different career fields to learn about job options and educational requirements.

9-10

Explore careers using CareerOneStop Career Explorer

Take a career interest survey

Complete a career interest assessment to identify strengths, interests, and possible career matches.

9-10

Complete the My Next Move Interest Profiler

Complete career interest survey in Naviance Student

Meet with a School Counselor

Talk about goals and graduation requirements

9-12

Schedule a meeting with your school counselor

Create a Resume

Develop a resume that highlights your education, activities, volunteer experiences, skills, and work experience.

10-11

Use a resume-building tool or template

Participate in a Workplace Visit or Job Shadow

Observe professionals in a workplace setting to learn about careers and job responsibilities.

10-12

Attend a workplace visit, career event, or job shadow experience

Practice interview skills

Prepare for employment interviews by participating in a mock interview or interview practice activity.

10-12

Complete an interview practice activity such as Interview Warmup

Create a LinkedIn Profile or Career Portfolio

Build a professional profile or portfolio to showcase skills, accomplishments, and experiences.

11-12

Create a LinkedIn profile or digital portfolio

Apply for an internship or summer job

Gain work experience by applying for internships, summer jobs, apprenticeships, or volunteer opportunities.

11-12

Search local internship and job opportunities

Complete Free Application for Federal Student Aid

Apply for financial aid to help pay for college, career training, or other postsecondary education.

Complete the FAFSA

Apply to a college/ postsecondary education

Submit applications to colleges, universities, trade schools, apprenticeship programs, military service, or career training programs.

Research and apply to colleges and or other post secondary programs that match your goals

Create a Postsecondary Plan

Develop a two-year, four-year, military, apprenticeship, employment, or training plan for after high school.

Complete a postsecondary planning activity

Helpful Career Planning Links

Evolve Me - a free, award-winning digital platform and app that helps teens build career skills, explore career paths and earn rewards.
Career One Stop - free, online career planning and job search resource
MyNextMove - an interactive tool for job seekers and students to learn more about their career options.
Naviance Student - a college, career, and life readiness platform used to explore careers,colleges, build resumes, search for scholarships, manage college applications, request transcripts and recommendation letters, and plan for life after high school.
Disability Hub MN - a free, Minnesota resource, to help people with disabilities and their families navigate a complex system and plan for the future.

How to use LinkedIn

Why Use LinkedIn?

Show off your achievements
Connect with mentors and professionals
Find internships and volunteer opportunities
Learn about careers, companies, and colleges

Step 1: Set Up Your Profile
Profile Photo: Use a clear, friendly headshot
Headline: Example: High School Student | Future Nurse | Passionate About Helping People
About Section: Write 2–3 sentences about your interests and goals

Step 2: Add Your Experience
Clubs, sports, and leadership roles
Volunteer work or school projects
Special classes (CTE, AP, or dual enrollment)

Step 3: Highlight Your Skills
Examples: teamwork, Canva, Java, public speaking
Ask teachers or coaches to endorse your skills

Step 4: Build Your Network
Connect with teachers, counselors, classmates, and family
Include a short message when connecting:
"Hi! I’m building my LinkedIn network and would love to stay connected."

Step 5: Learn and Explore
Follow companies and careers you're interested in
Search for internships or student programs
Watch “A Day in the Life” career videos

Step 6: Stay Active
Like and comment on posts
Share your achievements (e.g., honor roll, certifications)
Celebrate your friends’ and classmates’ wins too
Stay Safe: Keep things professional. Don’t share your home address or personal contact info.

Get started on LinkedIn

Resume Support

A resume is a document that highlights your skills, experiences, accomplishments, and qualifications. You can use a resume when applying for a job, internship, college program, scholarship, or volunteer opportunity. A well-organized resume helps others learn about your strengths and achievements and can increase your chances of being selected for an interview or other opportunities.

Grade-level Career Readiness Checklist

Grade 9

Grade 9: Self-Discovery & Awareness

Take a career interest inventory or personality assessment.
Explore personal values, skills, and work habits.
Begin a career portfolio.
Learn about career clusters and pathways.
Develop soft skills: communication, responsibility, teamwork.
Join clubs or extracurricular activities.
Create a basic résumé or activity list.
Set academic and personal goals.
Understand GPA and transcript importance.

Grade 10

Grade 10: Career Exploration

Research 2–3 career clusters in depth.
Conduct informational interviews or attend guest speaker events.
Participate in job shadows or career fairs.
Take electives that match interests.
Update résumé and portfolio with new experiences.
Use career planning tools like Naviance or Xello.
Explore CTE, dual credit, or certification opportunities.
Learn about financial literacy and education costs.
Review and update career goals.

Grade 11

Grade 11: Career Preparation

Identify top 2–3 career interests and next steps.
Get real-world experience (internships or volunteering).
Take ACT, SAT, or other career assessments.
Visit post-secondary institutions or programs.
Build a résumé and write a sample cover letter.
Practice job or college interviews.
Complete certifications or training programs.
Start college or scholarship applications.
Update career portfolio with experiences.

Grade 12

Grade 12: Career Launch & Transition

Finalize and submit applications (college, job, etc.).
Complete FAFSA and apply for aid/scholarships.
Polish résumé and prepare for interviews
Complete a senior capstone or internship.
Create a post-graduation plan.
Develop life skills (budgeting, scheduling).
Meet with your counselor to finalize steps.
Attend senior career readiness events.
Graduate with a completed career portfolio.