Planning
What career is right for you?
Use your Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) account to help you determine which career field(s) you are most interested in and what would be a good fit for you. You can take 11 different assessments to choose what you like to do, what you would be good at, what kind of work environment you desire, what type of lifestyle you desire, and much more!
Other ways of exploring careers would be job shadowing, attending a career fair, taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test, taking the Future’s Prep Finale course (available to juniors and seniors), and interviewing someone in a specific career field, talking to parents, counselors, or career advisors.
Once you have an idea of the career(s) you are interested in, then it’s time to plan your course to get there!
For help making your post-secondary plans utilize the SFHS College and Career Readiness Checklist
Click on the five post high school option tabs below.
College
Which college is right for you?
Things to think about when making this decision:
- Major
- Size
- Cost
- Distance from home
- Campus life (sports/activities)
St. Francis High School Step-By-Step College Application Guide
Use the guide to complete your college applications. If you have questions, your counselor and College and Career Center staff are available to help you with each of the tasks.
Types of Colleges
2-Year Technical College
Technical colleges offer specialized training in a particular trade industry or career. Possible programs include the culinary arts, firefighting, dental hygiene, mechanical trades, and medical-records technology. These colleges usually offer certificates or associate degrees.
2-Year Community College
Community colleges offer two-year associate degrees that prepare you to transfer to a four-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. They also offer other associate degrees and certificates that focus on preparing you for a specific career. Community colleges are often an affordable option with relatively low tuition.
4-Year Public
Public colleges are funded by local and state governments and usually offer lower tuition rates than private colleges, especially for students who are residents of the state where a college is located.
4-Year Private
Private colleges rely mainly on tuition, fees and private sources of funding. Private donations can sometimes provide generous financial aid packages for students.
4-Year For-Profit
These are businesses that offer a variety of degree programs that typically prepare students for a specific career. They tend to have higher costs, which could mean graduating with more debt. Credits earned may not transfer to other colleges, so be sure to check with the admission office at each college.
4 YEAR COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS (minimum)
English – 8 Credits
Social Studies – 8 Credits
Science 9 – 2 Credits
Biology – 2 Credits
Chemistry of Physics – 2 Credits
Earth/Space Science – 1 Credit
Geometry – 2 Credits*
Algebra 2 – 2 Credits*
Probability/Statistics – 1 Credit*
World Language – 4 Credits**
Art/Music/Fine Art – 2 Credits
*University of Minnesota Twin Cities looks for four years of Math completed
**Two years of the SAME language (recommended, not always required)
Additional College Information Links
Colleges Rep Visits
This is a great way to gather information about colleges without going onto campus. Each college has a representative that is your go-to person at that college. They will help walk you through the process of gathering information and applying if you choose to. We strongly encourage you to take advantage of these visits! View the full schedule and sign up for as many as you are interested in HERE.
Visiting a college campus
This is another excellent way to gather information about each college. A visit will give you a feel of what it would be like to be on the campus and allow yourself to imagine living and going to school there. We also encourage students to do this as part of their My Life Plan.
Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS)
Your MCIS account is a great resource when it comes to finding the right colleges. On the COLLEGE tab of your profile, they offer a detailed college sort that you can use to determine which colleges around the country offer what you are looking for in a college.
Use your resources
It is always a good idea to get feedback from others if you are struggling with making a decision. Talk to your parents, friends, college reps, teachers, and of course, your counselor or Ms. Abraham! We are ALWAYS here to help!
Applying for colleges
Most colleges have applications right on their website. Other colleges prefer you use the Common App. See the SFHS Colleges Application Guide Here
Sending transcripts to colleges
At parchment.com, you can request your transcripts be sent to the colleges you apply to. All transcript requests must be processed through parchment.com. For information about how to order transcripts from parchment.com see the Quick Start Guide.
U.S. Military
Serving in the U.S. Armed Forces
The military or Armed Forces is part of the U.S. Government. The different branches have different missions and goals, but all provide paid training and money for further post-secondary education. The U.S. Military has five active-duty service branches and their respective Guard and Reserve units. These offer full time and part-time employment immediately after high school or after initial training, potentially at a college or university. The military doesn't accept everyone; to enlist, you must qualify. There are age, citizenship, physical, education, height/weight, criminal record, medical, and drug history standards.
You may consider the military if you are interested in learning skills in service to the U.S. and don't mind having your time structured for you. Additionally, you might want to explore the world or wish to have help paying for college. No matter what, you'll need to be willing to commit for a significant amount of time as military commitments tend to last four to eight years.
Military branch representatives
ARMY
Staff Sergeant Kyle Pierce
kyle.j.pierce6.mil@mail.mil
O - 763-689-3223
C - 612-964-3051
IG - ssg.airborne
FB Kyle Pierce Recruiting
AIR FORCE
Technical Sergeant David Carlson
david.carlson.15@us.af.mil
C- 763-248-6893
NAVY
A03 Joseph Praml
joseph.praml@navy.mil
O - 763-421-8470
C- 612-716-3642
MARINES
Sergeant Nathan Wepking
nathan.wepking@marines.usmc.mil
O - 763-682.5711
C - 763-238-9302
MINNESOTA NATIONAL GUARD
Sergeant Cason Jackson
cason.j.jackson.mil@mail.mil
O - 651-308-1636
If applying to a Military Academy speak to your counselor during Sophomore or Junior year of high school.
Air Force and Air Force Reserve
The nation's source of air and space power. The primary mission of the USAF is to fly planes, helicopters, and satellites.
Air National Guard
The Air National Guard as we know it today is a separate reserve component of the United States Air Force.
Army and Army Reserve
The dominant military land power. The Army generally moves into an area, secures it, and instills order and values before it leaves. It also guards U.S. installations and properties throughout the world.
Army National Guard
The Army National Guard is an elite group of warriors who dedicate a portion of their time to serving their nation. Each state has its own Guard, as required by the Constitution; in fact, it is the only branch of the military whose existence is actually required by the Constitution.
Coast Guard and Coast Guard Reserve
The Coast Guard's mission is primarily with domestic waterways. The Coast Guard does rescues, law enforcement, drug prevention, and clears waterways.
Marine Corps and Marine Corps Reserve
The Marine Corps is known as the United States' rapid-reaction force. They are trained to fight by sea and land, and usually are the first "boots on the ground." Marines are known as the world's fiercest warriors.
Navy and Navy Reserve
The Navy accomplishes its missions primarily by sea, but also by air and land. It secures and protects the oceans around the world to create peace and stability, making the seas safe for travel and trade.
Apprenticeships
An earn-as you-learn workforce training model
An apprenticeship is an earn-as-you-learn workforce training model. You’ll receive classroom instruction and on-the-job training to provide the specific knowledge needed to enter an industry. Apprentices earn a salary as they learn, and you can have a healthy, work-life balance. At the end of the apprenticeship, you’ll have the skills and training required in a high-demand industry.
An apprenticeship may be right for you if you learn by doing! You like to build things, create things, and want your studies to be a hands-on experience. Perhaps you’re worried about taking out many student loans or just aren’t interested in an educational experience, mostly reading from books. Apprenticeships typically pay you and emphasize a very hands-on approach to learning. Apprenticeships allow you to start working right away and build skills on the job.
Employment
If you are interested in going directly into the workforce immediately after graduation, use this guide to help you navigate through the process. If you need help making your decision, please reach out to your counselor or Ms. Abraham, the CCC Coordinator.
Check out the Employment Guide for more information.
Gap Year
Are you interested in taking a year off before continuing with your education? The most important thing to ask
yourself is, why? What are some reasons for wanting to take a Gap Year? Is it to avoid academic burnout, become more employable, see the world, expand your knowledge, or save college money?
It is important to do it for the right reasons and make sure your personality is a good fit for a Gap Year. Just wanting to save money is not always a good reason, as you will find if you do some number crunching. If you plan on working to save money to pay for college, it may not be financially practical.
Here is one example:
Student A
Year 1 after graduation – Gap Year income | + $15,000 |
Year 2-5 pay tuition at college | - $60,000 |
Year 6 Earn $70,000 annual in career | + $70,000 |
= $25,000 |
Based on this scenario, Student A is $25,000 ahead after six years.
Student B
Year 1-4 pay tuition at college | - $ 60,000 |
Year 5 Earn $70,000 annually in career | + $70,000 |
Year 6 Earn $70,000 annually in career | + $70,000 |
= $80,000 |
Based on this scenario, Student B would be $80,000 ahead after six years.
Of course, this info would change depending on your initial financial situation, your pay rate and how much you work, the cost of your education, the amount earned in your career, etc.
It is important to consider all of these components when making your decision! If you decide a Gap Year is for you, please use the following guide to help you through that process.