Career Pathways

Austin High School CEEB School Code is 240-125.

2.19.2020 PCR Presentation

Our Mission

The Career Pathways Program helps students discover their strengths and interests, explore career opportunities, identify a career pathway, purposefully select courses in their 4 year academic plan that align with their pathway, and assist in the journey to a successful career. The Austin High School Career Center (CCC) provides a variety of resources for this. The Career Center is a place where students can go to obtain information on career training options including two and four-year colleges, universities, and technical schools, complete placement testing, learn about test preparation, sign up for various college and career tours and activities, complete financial aid and scholarships; and explore career options.

In collaboration with the academic counselors, the Career Pathway Coordinator strives to help students to leverage their interests and abilities to explore future careers and educational opportunities.

The Reach Higher Initiative

College Visits

Colleges/universities will be setting up virtual visits with admission representatives to meet with AHS students to answer any questions you may have. Dates and times will be posted as soon as they are available. We will also be scheduling a variety of college tours throughout the year.

Financial Aid Nights at AHS

AHS will host several financial aid help sessions throughout the year to assist AHS students and families prepare and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

You can also check out the Minnesota Department of Education Ready, Set, FAFSA page for information and recordings of each help session.

Dates and Times will be posted as they are available.

Scholarships

AHS Scholarship Tracker

The Wallin Scholarship

Wallin Education Partners 4-year Scholarship is a proven college completion scholarship program where students receive up to $16,000 and the support of a dedicated Wallin Advisor as they pursue their 4-year degree. The program is focused on supporting low to moderate income families for whom college might feel financially out of reach. All of our scholars are low-income and 90% graduate with their college degree. Please visit www.wallinpartners.org/apply for more information and to start your application!

​Wallin Scholarship Video
Wallin Scholarship Information Sheet (Spanish, Hmong, Somali)

The Hormel foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship

The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship (THFAAS) is a scholarship that students can use while earning a college education at Riverland Community College. This scholarship covers your tuition and fees and includes a stipend for needed books and materials. The scholarship amount will vary for each student and will pay for up to 100% of tuition and fees that are not funded by federal grants, state grants, or other scholarship funds. THFAAS will pay for up to 65 college credits towards an approved program of study at Riverland Community College.

The Hormel Foundation Austin Assurance Scholarship

Be Your Best

The Be Your Best College Prep Academy is a free program for teens and young adults between the ages of 16 and 22. At Be Your Best, students have the opportunity to prepare for college by taking pre-college Math, Reading, and Writing. Students receive guidance and support through dedicated instructors, advisors, counselors and tutors. Students will also benefit from the educational seminars designed for college success and participate in leadership, volunteer and educational activities and field trips throughout the summer.

Please visit http://www.riverland.edu/beyourbest/ for more information and the application.

The North Star Promise Scholarship

Beginning in fall 2024, the North Star Promise (NSP) Scholarship program will make college accessible and affordable for any eligible Minnesotan who has the desire to earn a credential. The program will cover the full cost of tuition and fees for eligible Minnesotans at public institutions and tribal colleges in the state. Students must be a MN resident, have an AGI of $80,000 or less, not be in default on a state or federal student loan, be enrolled taking at least one credit, meet Satisfactory Academic Progress standards, have not already earned a baccalaureate degree, and be enrolled in a program of study. For more information, visit the North Star Promise website. 

College Knowledge Month

Austin High School participates in College Knowledge Month. This is an event hosted by the Office of Higher Education in an effort to raise awareness of students exploring, planning and applying to college during the month of October! Students are encouraged to review their interest inventory assessments and career assessments from MCIS, Minnesota Career Information System, an online college and career readiness program that helps to link academic achievement to post-secondary goals.

College Knowledge Month encourages students taking virtual tours of colleges to narrow their choices or completing one of the College Match Searches on MCIS. Students can take virtual campus tours via http://www.campustours.com.

College Knowledge Month also encourages students to attend College Fairs. There is the National College Fair on in Minneapolis every fall which students are encouraged to attend. This is a great opportunity for students to speak one-on-one with college admissions counselors. Austin High School has a wide variety of military and college admissions representatives that visit our high school on a regular basis. All of these are great ways for students to ask questions and help to determine if a specific college or university is the best fit for them and their future.

College Knowledge Month also has students reviewing their official school record with their Connect teacher to make sure that they are on track to graduate. Through PCR, Post-Secondary Career Readiness, students have opportunities to process college and career readiness with their Connect teacher through this comprehensive guidance and counseling program.

Over the Education MN break in October, it is a perfect time for students to visit some colleges and see campus in full action! Contacting the college ahead of time regarding a visit and tour will help the student get the most out of their visit.

Students are encouraged to apply to college if they have not done so already, by the last week in October. Many colleges in Minnesota waive the college application fee the last week in October as well. Austin High School will be having open computer lab opportunities for students to complete their applications and request a fee waiver for their college applications, if they qualify.

Additionally, here is a list of schools that are waiving application fees (or have no application fees) for College Knowledge Month.

The final week of College Knowledge Month has students sending thank you notes to teachers and others who have helped them along their journey. For more information regarding College Knowledge Month, please refer to the College Knowledge Month website.

MCIS

The Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) is a web-based program that offers a wide variety of career, educational and job information in one comprehensive, easy-to-use tool. MCIS includes: Learning styles, employability, interest and skill assessments and information on colleges plus program requirements for various occupations. Students build a portfolio so they can plan and track progress toward their educational goals and create a personal learning plan, which is required by the State of Minnesota. Austin High School's MCIS subscription includes ACT, college placement and practice tests.

To access MCIS, go to the Austin High School webpage. Go to the "Student Resources" tab and select "MCIS" icon. Students in grades 9-11 will use their studentid#@austin.k12.mn.us for their username. Students in grade 12 will only use their six-digit student number for their username.  Students set their passwords.  Click "Forgot your username or password?" on MCIS to reset.

Minnesota Career Information Center

Parchment

Parchment is an electronic sending agency for transcripts, letters of recommendation, and secondary school reports. Students will request transcripts and other documents to be sent through Parchment from Austin High School to post-secondary institutions.

To access Parchment, visit the Austin Public School webpage, go to the "Student Resources" tab and select "Parchment - Austin HS". Students will use their six digit student number and school issued e-mail address as their User Name. (i.e. 123456@austin.k12.mn.us for a student number of 123456). Students created their own passwords. If a student has forgotten their password they click on "Forgot your password?" and students can reset their password. The e-mail will be sent to their Office 365 account.

Parchment Login

Riverland Career Exploration Days

Juniors will attend Riverland Community College's Career Exploration Day in Spring 2024 (date TBD).

Minnesota College Fair

The Minneapolis National College Fair will be held in the fall annually. This is one of the largest fairs of its kind and attracts representative from over 300 different colleges and universities.  The event also includes workshops on such topics as financial aid, writing application essays, and comparing college options.  This National Fair is free and open to the public.  Register at nacacattend.org.

This is a great time for students and families to gather college information. Interested students wishing to attend need to secure their own transportation.