Career Center News
Week ending February 16th
The College and Career Center provides a wide variety of services to our Independence HS students and their families. I am here to help support everything from college planning and the application process, job opportunities, volunteer services, financial aid and scholarships, Military, Gap year, and more. Please direct questions to jill.perlman@lcps.org
MARK YOUR CALENDARS
Upcoming Events in February
* February 17th ~ CTE Career Fair & Job Expo @ Dulles Expo Center from 1 pm - 4 pm
* February 20th ~ Youth Career Expo @ Loudoun County HS from 6 pm - 8:30 pm
* February 26th ~ Military Night @ Independence HS from 6 pm - 8 pm
COLLEGE & MILITARY CORNER
West Point Summer Leaders Experience for Students in the Class of 2025
West Point's Summer Leaders Experience (SLE) is a week-long immersion into the academic, military, and social life of a West Point cadet. At SLE, attendees explore West Point from all angles, including the high-tech educational facilities, team-building athletic activities, and realistic military training. The application opened 1 February and will remain open until 15 March for students currently in their junior year. Students selected to attend SLE will choose to attend one of two sessions.
Session 1: June 1 - 7, 2024
Session 2: June 8 - 14, 2024
Learn more here: https://www.westpoint.edu/admissions/summer-program
or use this link to apply now: https://apply.westpoint.edu/portal/candidate
Pamplin's Inspiring Possibilities (PIP) Academy
PIP is a ten-day residential program designed to introduce high school students from diverse backgrounds to the dynamic world of business and business careers. Selected students will explore seven areas, including Accounting and Information Systems, Business Information Technology, Finance, Hospitality and Tourism Management, Management, Marketing, and Real Estate.
Students will have an opportunity to interact with diverse business professionals and participate in the preparation and presentation of a team project. Participants will be immersed in the Virginia Tech campus experience. Students will attend classes facilitated by Pamplin College of Business faculty, alumni, business leaders, and interact with current Pamplin students, tour campus facilities, and hear presentations from campus units (e.g., admissions, undergraduate programs, study abroad).
Catholic University - Experiences in Architecture Summer High School Program
The Experiences in Architecture (EiA) program at the Catholic University of America is a pre-college workshop for students interested in architecture or other design-related fields. Students are exposed to both the academic and professional sides of the architectural arena, as the city of Washington, D.C., becomes their classroom.
The Experiences in Architecture program will better prepare students for architecture school, giving students a head start, as well as acquainting them with campus life at the university level. Students who have participated in EiA’s summer workshop, or a similar pre-college program, are better prepared for success at the university level.
Details
- EiA 2024: July 7, 2024 - July 20, 2024 (Rising 10th, 11th, 12th and incoming freshmen eligible) residential or commuting*
Virginia Latino Higher Education Network
From our Hispanic College Institute at Virginia Tech, to our newest program the Hispanic STEM Academy at George University, to our yearly Encuentro hosted by different higher ed institutions throughout the Commonwealth, to the hundreds of volunteers that fuel our organization - we are proud to be entering the second decade serving our communities.
Hispanic STEM Academy
Latinx Leadership Academy
Adelante Scholarship
Summer Bridge Programs @ NOVA are FREE!
NOVA's summer Bridge Programs are focused on Engineering Technology (ET), Data Center Operations (DCO), Information Technology (IT), and Computer Science (CS). These programs provide students an opportunity to explore either ET/DCO or IT/CS through hands-on activities and industry site visits. Students will be introduced to NOVA's campuses, offices (e.g. student services, financial aid, etc.), and career pathways. Transportation will be provided between the two participating NOVA Campuses and any site tours or field trips conducted as part of the program. Students will need to drive to or be dropped off and picked up each day at the session campus closest to them. Bridge programs are free, but space is limited. Students may apply for one bridge program session.
Information Session Registration
Thurs, Feb 22, 2024 | 4:30pm and Thurs, March 21, 2024 | 4:30pm
For more information: Contact Kathleen McNamee at kmcnamee@nvcc.edu or go to www.nvcc.edu/systemic and click on Bridge Programs
NOVA CORE
This program is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) and is designed to recruit, retain, and support eligible students who are interested in studying Engineering at NOVA. The program welcomed its first cohort of NOVA CORE students in Fall 2023 and will bring in new cohorts every year for five years.
To be eligible for this program, students must demonstrate financial need through FAFSA (Pell grant eligibility), be Calculus ready by the time they start the program (free summer PreCalculus classes are available at NOVA through Jumpstart) and meet citizenship/legal entry requirements set forth by NSF. If accepted, students will receive up to $6000/year for two years at NOVA, along with tutoring, mentoring, experiential learning opportunities and increased faculty advising support as they pursue their Engineering degrees.
As this is a multi-year grant, the NOVA Core team would welcome the opportunity to meet (in-person or virtually) with students in any grade to talk about Engineering as a major/profession, introduce them to Engineering at NOVA and guaranteed admissions with our 4-year transfer partners, and let them know about this scholarship opportunity.
The NOVA CORE website has more information about the program: https://www.nvcc.edu/financialaid/nova-core.html, as does the attached flyer.
This program provides both full financial and academic support to students who are interested in and prepared to pursue an Engineering degree.
Summer Programs @ NoVA
In addition to the Bridge Programs, NVCC also offers STEM Camps and Paid Summer STEM Internships.
Georgetown University HOYA Summer HS Session
Georgetown’s Hoya Summer High School Sessions offer an immersive learning experience that prepares you with the tools needed for college success. Ranging in length from one to eight weeks, our programs span a wide range of subjects, covering everything from forensic science and politics to creative writing. You’ll have the opportunity to meet classmates from around the world and earn college credit.
WorldStrides ~ Educational Travel & Experiences
Are you passionate about Veterinary Science? The Veterinary Academy in partnership with Loop Abroad, a WorldStrides Program. These extraordinary programs affords students the unique opportunity to explore their varied interests in veterinary science.
Spend your summer break in Costa Rica, Belize, Thailand, or one of two different locations here in the United States, learning from teaching veterinarians and working alongside leading conservationists and animal experts at Veterinary Academy.
Summer Science Camps with the Virginia Tech College of Science
Do you know any middle or high school students who love science? Want them to have a fun summer where they can experience science in new ways and get a sneak peek at college life? Virginia Tech is offering several science camps this summer: SCIENCE CAMPS 2024!
HAVE FUN, LEARN SCIENCE, AND GET A SNEAK PEEK AT COLLEGE LIFE!
- EXPLORE SCIENCE
June 24 - 27 for rising 9th- 10th graders
June 30 - July 3 for rising 7th- 8th graders
Microbiology, neuroscience, physics, nanoscience, psychology, coding, game-o-nomics, and way more!
- EXPLORE DATA SCIENCE
July 8 - 12 for rising 11th- 12th graders
Statapult-catapults, coding, data ethics, molecular modeling, disease surveillance, game theory, career exploration, and more!
- EXPLORE PHYSICAL SCIENCES
July 15 - 19 for rising 11th- 12th graders
Solar energy, nanoscience, GPS and modeling, physics and astronomy, biochemistry, geophysical methods to study the critical zone, career exploration, and more!
EXPLORE LIFE SCIENCES - July 22 - 26 for rising 11th- 12th graders
Neuroscience, nanomedicine, ecology, chemical biology, emerging diseases, bioinformatics, ancient life forms, career exploration, and more!
Registration Is Now Open (Click Here)!
Space is limited, so register soon.
Discover Swarthmore Fly-In Program
Discover Swarthmore, held each fall, is our all-expenses-paid overnight fly-in program for high-achieving high school seniors. The Admissions Office pays for all transportation, meals, and on-campus housing expenses for students selected to attend one of these programs. Participants experience Swarthmore firsthand as they attend classes, stay with current students in our residence halls, eat in the dining hall, and go to campus events. Prospective students hear from faculty, staff, alumni, and current students through a series of panel discussions and informal conversations.
We will host two programs to give students maximum flexibility in visiting our campus during the busy fall semester. Last fall, our on-campus programs took place during the last weekends of September and October.
All interested rising high school seniors (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and undocumented/DACA students attending school in the United States) are welcome to apply to Discover Swarthmore, though preference will be given to students who are the first in their families to attend college, students from low-income backgrounds, and students who might not otherwise be able to afford a trip to campus.
Nominations
Nominations for the fall 2024 programs are now being accepted. Students do not have to be nominated in order to apply. Nominations for the fall 2024 programs close Saturday, June 15, 2024.
Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes Application is Now Open!
We are currently accepting applications for the 2024 Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes!
This two-week online enrichment program is designed for academically motivated and intellectually curious students currently in grades 8-11. Each online course provides an in-depth exploration of a single subject, allowing students to enrich their academic interests while meeting other students who share their passions and abilities. Students join our community from around the world, and challenge themselves with advanced content not typically found in the high school curriculum.
The application deadline is March 29, 2024 at 11:59 pm Pacific Time.
Summer at UChicago
The University of Chicago's Summer Session brings together a global community of thinkers who are excited by interesting questions and seek to engage new ideas. Discover diverse program opportunities designed to challenge and engage curious high school students this summer across a variety of subject areas and disciplines. Within a supportive community, pre-college students are are given the chance to take intellectual risks, dive more deeply into subject matter, and discuss questions that go beyond the realm of their high school curriculum, while experiencing a dynamic campus situated in scenic Hyde Park in the city of Chicago during the best season of the year - summer!
All summer session programs are designed for high-school students ready to tackle undergraduate-level material. Apply and learn more at: summer.uchicago.edu
UMass Amherst Summer 2024 Pre-College Programs
Spring College Prep Workshops:
The first step towards college is applying – and making the right impression counts. Our college prep workshops are here to help high school students put their best foot forward.
This March, two unique online workshops are available: SAT & ACT Test Prep with best-selling author Brian Leaf, and College Application Essay Writing led by instructors from the award-winning UMass Writing Program.
Spaces are limited -- please see below for details and registration. Registration deadline is February 21, 2024.
UMass Amherst Summer 2024 Pre-College Programs
We are now accepting applications for 2024 Summer Pre-College programs at UMass Amherst.
Apply by March 15th and waive the $35 application fee. Use code: EarlyBird24
Rising 10th - 12th graders in high school are eligible to apply. Applications are done through our website and consist of:
- A statement of interest from the applicant describing their interest in the program
- An unofficial high school transcript including grades from the current school year
- A letter of recommendation from a teacher or school counselor
- English language proficiency scores (international students only)
Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, with deadlines as outlined below for each session. We recommend applying early as programs may fill up.
- Session 1 (Programs starting June 30): May 1st, 2024
- Session 2 (Programs starting July 14): May 15th, 2024
- Session 3 (Programs starting July 28): May 31st, 2024
Spend the Summer at University of College Dublin
The UCD High School Summer Program returns for 2024 and applications are now open! The UCD High School Summer Program is an enrichment program designed specifically for North American students who are interested in learning more about Irish history and culture and may be considering the possibility of applying to universities in Ireland for their undergraduate degrees. Through a series of taught lectures and interactive workshops at UCD, we introduce students to the academic culture in Ireland and the variety of subjects they can study. We also introduce students to Ireland's rich history and cultural identity through field trips around Dublin and the Irish countryside. At the end of the two weeks, we hope the students will have found that the academic programs and vibrant cultural heritage will be a great fit for future studies.
To be eligible for this program, students must:
- Be current juniors or sophomores (16 or 17 at the time of program)
- Demonstrate a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Google application form, including brief essays about their interest in the program and what would make them a good candidate for the program.
- Counselor recommendation (Kendall Hook will send counselors direct link to Google recommendation form)
Dates: July 3rd-18th, 2024
Cost: €3100 (inclusive of accommodation, meals, cultural and academic activities, workshops, in-country transportation. Excluding airfare and personal spending money.)
Priority deadline for applications is February 15, 2024. Current Juniors will receive priority consideration for places on the program. The 2022 and 2023 programs reached capacity by February 15 and operated on a waitlist, however, should availability remain, applications will be open until April 1. This program is non-credit bearing.
Inspire Summer 2024 @ University of Virginia
Inspire Summer is the UVA | Northern Virginia summer program for rising 10th-12th graders to explore new interests and skills.
Summer 2024 Courses
- Introduction to Programming: Python
- McIntire Business Institute
- College Essay Writing
- Forensic Science
- Branding and Marketing
- Creative Writing
UVA College Essay Writing Course for Students
Course Highlight: College Essay Writing Inspire Summer is the UVA|Northern Virginia summer program for rising 10th-12th graders to explore new interests and skills. Summer 2024 applications are open: https://northern.virginia.edu/inspire.
UVA|Northern Virginia Team
Dental Health Sciences Camp @ Old Dominion University
Old Dominion University School of Hygiene and the Delta Dental of Virginia Foundation have teamed up to launch the Dental Health Summer Institute at no cost to students.
The five-day camp will be three hours each morning the week of June 24, 2024. Students will get help with the college application process, learn about different aspects of dentistry, and receive a lab kit for hands-on lab activities.
This will be a highly-interactive experience, but there are limited spots available. Please complete the online application below by March 4, 2024.
2023-2024 ASVAB Test Registration
The ASVAB Career Exploration Program can help young adults identify and explore potentially satisfying occupations and develop effective strategies to realize career goals.
The ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) is one of the most widely used, multiple-aptitude tests in the world, developed and maintained by the Department of Defense. More than half of all high schools nationwide administer the ASVAB test to students in grades 10, 11 and 12 (sophomores cannot use their scores for enlistment eligibility).
The Military uses students’ ASVAB scores to identify the occupations that best suit their abilities. Junior, senior and post-secondary school students can use their ASVAB scores for enlistment for up to two years after taking the test.
More information on the ASVAB and test prep can be found here:
https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/asvab
You can register here for the ASVAB at one of our Loudoun County Public High Schools. Here are the dates / locations it's being offered.
Loudoun Valley HS - 3/5/24 @ 8:30 am
Stone Bridge HS - 3/5/24 @ 10 am
ODDS & ENDS
CTE Career Fair & Job Expo
Instruction 2 Industry Career Fair on Saturday, Feb 17th at the Dulles Expo Center.
Virtual sessions will be held on February 5-8, from 4-7 p.m.
In-person Career Expo and Job Fair event will be held on Saturday, February 17, from 1-4 p.m., in the North Hall of the Dulles Expo Center.
More information can be found HERE!
Music & Art Contests
Get excited for the Red, White and Blue!
Show Your Talent. Display Your Patriotism. Express Your Creativity
Music: A National Anthem singing contest for youth in grades K-12. $500 National Prize
1) Record a video of your solo vocal performance of "The Star Spangled Banner" in the arrangement and genre of your choice.
2) Upload the video to YouTube and submit a signed entry form to a VFW Auxiliary by March 15 for judging.
3) Entry will be judged on vocal ability, mastery of lyrics, originality or interpretation and entertainment value.
Visit vfwauxiliary.org for contest eligibility, rules, national awards and an entry form.
Young American Creative Patriotic Art Contest
Veterans of Foreign Wars Auxiliary Post 1177 Announce Kick-Off of Annual Scholarships & Contests for High School Students.
Two creative, patriotic art contests are open to students in grades 9-12. Both contests' entries must be received by March 15, 2024. Please see the flyer for more information. Click here to see how to apply!
Career Conversations
As we schedule our programming in the Career Center for this school year, I plan to highlight one or two careers per month with speakers from our parent community.
I'm looking for 10 - 12 Independence High School parents who would be interested in spending 45 minutes - 1 hour discussing your careers, the pros and cons of your roles, and what types of skills / education are necessary. Please send me an email if you're interested, and can work out specific dates, times, and presentation information.
JOB OPPORTUNITIES
Cub Run Recreation Center
Child Care Attendant
Ages 18 yrs and up
Evenings M-Th 4-8 pm- not to exceed 20 hrs per wk (Occasional Sat am shift)
Pay is $14 / hr.
Responsibilities would include keeping children safe and happy while parents are using the facility. No changing of diapers or feeding of children.
Great for students possibly exploring Early childhood or Teaching fields.
Open until filled.
To apply : Contact Deidre.Schrader@fairfaxcounty.gov
We also have lifeguards, and manager on duty positions available as well.
Olde Towne Pet Resort is Hiring
Love working with pets? These opportunities could be a good fit for you. Visit their website to find out more information.
Pet Care Associates: Shifts: 6AM - 2PM and 2PM - 10PM
Day Camp Associates: Shifts: 6AM - 2PM and 2PM - 10PM
Pet Bathers: Shifts: 8AM - 4PM
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
How To Register For an Event in SchooLinks
Log into your SchooLinks account.
From your Dashboard, click on the tab at the top titled School Events. You will then see a chronological list of all events happening in our building.
Select the event you’d like to register for. Once selected, you will click on the button that says Register For This Event.
Once you register for an event, the button should change and you should see a Reminders tab appear at the top. Here, you can see all the events you are registered for. And, of course, you can still click on an event to see the info popup once again.
As a reminder, only students are able to register for these College & Military Visits.