College & Career Next Steps

Our goal is for students to leave with a plan for the future, whether it is to enter the job market, enroll in a trade certification program, or pursue a college degree. Support and resources are available to prepare you for your next step after high school.

How can we help?

We want to help you access the information and resources you need for your next step after graduation. Use the buttons below to explore the topics most helpful to you:

Want to speak with someone about your next step?

Featured Resource: Get Help with FAFSA

Need help paying for your education? Start by completing the FAFSA form to access the largest financial aid source.

Career Pathways

This includes Information about the five Graduation Solutions Career Pathways for graduates:

  • Grad to Work

  • Military

  • Trade & Certificate Programs

  • College Degree Seeking

  • University Rigor

Pathways Newsletters

Written by our Next Steps Team, our Pathway Newsletters are a perfect way to gain valuable insights, resources, and guidance as you plan for life after earning a diploma!

  • Grad Solutions newsletters are published monthly

  • Smart Schools newsletters are published quarterly

Career Trees

Our career trees categorize job opportunities by experience and education to help you set goals and navigate your chosen field.

Areas of interest include:

  • Agriculture, Food, & Natural Resources

  • Architecture & Construction

  • Arts, Audio/Video Technology, & Communications

  • Business & Administration

  • Education & Training

  • Finance

  • Government & Public Administration

  • Health Science

  • Hospitality & Tourism

  • Human Services

  • Information Technology

  • Law, Public Safety, Corrections, & Security

  • Manufacturing

  • Marketing

  • Science, Technology, Engineering, & Mathematics

  • Transportation, Distribution, & Logistics

Career Exploration

Workers overlooking a building site

This includes:

  • What is career exploration?

  • Career Trees to explore different areas of interest

  • Career Exploration Platforms, Assessments & Tools

College Exploration, Planning & Applications

This includes:

  • What are the different levels of college degrees and their average salaries?

  • What are the main differences between a community college and a university? 

  • Do Your Own Research! Review Arizona schools and the programs they offer.

  • In-state Community Colleges

  • In-state Colleges & Universities

  • College Planning Timeline

  • ACT & SAT Test

  • Admissions Documents - How to get Transcripts, Letter of Recommendation and Write an Essay/Personal Statement

  • How to Apply to Community College

  • How to Apply to a University

  • How To Get An Official Or Unofficial High School Transcript 

  • How To Pay For Community College Or University 

Financial Aid, Scholarships & Grants

This includes:

  • What is FAFSA? The Free Application for Federal Student Aid 

  • Step by Step FAFSA

  • Statewide FAFSA Assistance and Helplines

  • Scholarships & Grants

  • Special Group Opportunities & Programs: Foster Children, First Generation College Students, Indigenous Groups, Etc.

  • Ask Benji, a service from our partner Education Forward Arizona, to answer questions about FAFSA. Text “Hi Benji” to 602-786-8171 any time to get started.

Certificates & Industry Certifications You Can Earn Now

This includes:

  • CTED (Career & Technology Education District) Schools In Arizona 

  • Industry Certification Programs In Arizona

Two interviewers looking over a resume

How do I get a Job Now?

This includes:

  • Creating a Resume

  • Letters Of Recommendation

  • Writing a Cover Letter

  • Interview Preparation

  • Interview Clothes

  • LinkedIn Profile

  • Workforce - How To Find Employment Opportunities & Secure A Job

  • How To Find A Quality Employer- With Sample Jobs, Wages & Company Perks

  • Local Job Board & Employment Opportunities

Trade School

This includes:

  • CTED (Career & Technology Education District) Schools In Arizona

  • Arizona Private Trade Schools

  • Arizona Community College Certification Programs 

  • How To Pay For Trade School

Military

This includes:

  • What Are The Different Military Branches Of Service And What Do They Do?

  • What Qualifications Must I Meet In Order To Join The Military?

  • Are There Different Ways To Join The Military?

  • Step-By-Step Actions To Explore And Enlist In The Military

  • Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB Test)

  • Military Jobs And Qualifying Scores

  • Military Pros & Cons To Consider

Internships, Apprenticeships & On-the-Job Training

This includes:

  • Where to find an internship

  • State Apprenticeship Programs

  • Company/Trade Specific Apprenticeship Programs:

Other Helpful Information

Next Step Workshop Library, Reading & Video Recommendations

Our team hosts workshops to help you prepare for your next step and curates content to help you succeed! Click below to access our library of resources.

Transcripts, CEEB Codes & Partner Schools

Do you have questions about getting an official transcript, your official school of record, or need a to know your school’s CEEB code?

Calendar of Events

We frequently schedule workshops, events, and other helpful experiences for students. You can check out our Weekly Top 3 Things to Know or click below to access our Next Step Careers & Employment Calendar.

Meet Our Next Step Team

The Next Step Team is here to serve our student community by providing the information and resources students need to achieve their career goals.

We can support you with every step of your post-graduation planning. While we have all of these amazing tools online, we are also available to meet with you virtually or in person at a HUB to help you navigate the process, create a personal strategy, and assist you in customizing your resume/cover letter or other documents you may need to succeed in your chosen career path.

Would you like assistance from our team?

Why do we have a Next Step Department?

At Graduation Solutions, we are driven by a profound sense of responsibility to equip our students with the knowledge, skills, and motivation necessary to thrive beyond high school. Our mission is to guide and inspire every student to recognize the value of post-secondary education, training, and certification programs. We help them explore, set, and achieve post-secondary pathways and career goals.

Our comprehensive programming is designed to:

  • Foster Aspirations:  We utilize My Future AZ and our Workplace Readiness course to allow students to explore a wide range of career options and instill an understanding of the transformative power of education and training beyond high school.

  • Set Pathway and Career Goals:  The Grad Solutions ensures that each student is supported in defining and pursuing their unique educational and career aspirations. In a tightly woven partnership with our dedicated Mentors, the Next Step Department customizes and delivers precise messages to students based on their chosen Pathway and Career Goal. These messages serve as catalysts, inspiring and guiding students to navigate their high school journey effectively, ensuring they successfully attain the milestones required to reach their envisioned next steps.

  • Create Connections and Opportunities:  Our Next Step Department is dedicated to fostering valuable connections between our students and prospective employers, certification programs, and higher education institutions. Through a spectrum of available avenues such as workshops, internships, certification courses, concurrent enrollment, and more, we empower our students to embark on their career journeys even before they graduate from high school.

We firmly believe that education beyond high school is the cornerstone of a better life. Students who pursue advanced education, training, or certification can expect not only to increase their earning potential but also to enjoy improved health, broader access to opportunities, and a path toward individual prosperity. Through our unwavering commitment and collaboration with our students, we are lighting the way toward a brighter and more promising future for each individual we serve.

Would you like assistance from our team?