Wimberley High School
Post-Graduation Resources for Juniors and Seniors
Congratulations! What’s Next?
Let’s make a plan together.
In the Spring of 2024, over 50 Wimberley High School seniors enrolled in the practicum program were given a needs assessment to help us better understand what resources students feel like they need before leaving high school forever.
Based on the results, 70% of seniors need information on scholarships and financial aid, and 60% feel like they need resources for job search and employment skills.
This site was created to help Wimberley High School assist these future graduates in their transition after graduation.
Career Guidance
Explore various career paths and financial decisions by providing personalized budgeting and career exploration resources.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, providing comprehensive data and analysis on economic indicators and labor market trends.
Learn about different careers, which are a good fit for you, the path to pursue them, what those careers are actually like, and more.
Explore more below to learn about popular career clusters and watch videos from professionals in these fields.
Career Exploration & Planning
Click on any of the links below to learn more in your area of interest
Colleges & Universities
Vocational Programs and Training Opportunities
Before selecting a program, it's crucial to research vocational schools, trade or career schools, and certificate programs thoroughly, as while they can offer effective training for diverse jobs, not all are reputable or beneficial.
Personalized career suggestions in just minutes.
Search for a specific career here.
Huge list of clickable careers.
Not sure where to start? Start here!
Apply for free college advising!
College Preparation
Application Deadlines and Requirements
College Planning Checklist
SAT & ACT Exam Preparation
College Application Essays
THE COLLEGE ESSAY GUY PODCAST
Listen to interviews with individuals in the college admission world. Also breaking down the process for you into practical, actionable steps.
Helpful Websites and Apps
Articles curated to help you meet your financial goals.
Named “Best Free Smartphone App for Beginners” by CNBC
Watch this before you get a credit card!
Financial Literacy
Financial Literacy Webinars and Online Courses
Provides free online courses on Financial Literacy. Click on the link to get started.
Voya Financial Wellness Course
Understand the principles of financial wellness including goal setting, protection, spending and saving, and retirement planning. This video will also provide helpful tips on actionable steps you can take on your journey to financial well-being.
Erika Kullberg @erikakullberg
- Tips on financial topics from a legal perspective
Seth Godwin @seth.godwin
- Tips on saving money
Queenie Tan @investwithqueenie
- Tips on achieving financial independence
Jeremy Schneider @PersonalFinanceClub
- Tips on investing
Who to Follow for Advice
Taylor Price @pricelesstay
- Tips on side hustles, saving, and financial freedom
Humphrey Yang @HumphreyTalks
- Tips on Investing, taxes, and money basics
Spencer Hochhaus @spencerhawkk
- Tips on making money, saving money, and finance basics
Callum Carver @callumcarver
- Tips on side hustles, building wealth, and making money
Chelsea Fagan @thefinancialdiet
- Tips on spending, saving, debt, budgeting, and money management
Financial Aid
Student loans are money borrowed from the federal government or a private lender to pay tuition while a student is enrolled in school. After graduation, the borrower must pay back the money borrowed—with interest, in some cases. There are two types of student loans:
federal student loans and private student loans.
The FAFSA is the start to earn any form of financial aid — including federal loans and private loans. Completing the FAFSA opens the door to federal student loans, like the subsidized and unsubsidized student loan options.
HELPFUL STUDENT LOAN yOUTUBE CHANNEL!
Master your knowledge around debt repayment and make smarter financial decisions in the future by enrolling in this free course.
Borrow Money
Find Free Money
Scholarship Opportunties
A scholarship is FREE money (money you will not have to pay back after graduation). It’s not a student loan; scholarships are a gift that does not have to be repaid. As the cost of college continues to rise, applying for scholarships should be a priority for all college-bound students and current college students.
WHS Scholarship Page - Local Wimberley area scholarships
Big Future Scholarship Search - Fight the right scholarships
BigFuture Scholarship Details - How to complete the steps
CSS Profile - Scholarships awarded by colleges and universities
FastWeb Scholarships - Find unique scholarships & grants
What is the CSS Profile?
The CSS Profile is an online application colleges and scholarship programs use to award Institutional (their own) aid.
(For federal aid you must complete the FAFSA, available Oct. 1 at fafsa.ed.gov.)
Helpful Articles
Click here for a Scholarship Scams Tip Sheet
In this article, we’ll give you a complete breakdown of financial aid from an educator perspective – from the true cost of college to applying for financial aid and understanding financial aid award letters.
Jobs & Internships
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- 50+ categories
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- Build your Resume
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- Job Tracker
- AI mock interviews
- Cover Letter
- Unique jobs
- Top Companies
- Over 130,000 jobs
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- Work from anywhere
- The no. 1 remote job board
- Over 30,000 jobs
- Vetted tech companies
Find Internships
An internship is a temporary work experience typically offered by companies or organizations to students or recent graduates. Interns gain practical, hands-on experience in a specific field or industry, allowing them to apply their academic knowledge in real-world settings and develop valuable skills relevant to their future careers.
How to Use ChatGPT for Interview Prep
Helpful Video Series
How to Use ChatGPT to Write Your Resume
If you're not sure where to start, don't worry! This video series will show you how to write your resume step-by-step.
Highlights: Job Search Stories by Indeed
For step-by-step instructions on different interview and workplace scenarios, check out this playlist.
Helpful Resources
My Texas Future: Launching Direct Admissions for Texas Students
Webinar : June 11
Direct admissions initiatives have gained popularity in recent years by streamlining the admissions process and increasing the direct-to-college enrollment rate. With direct admissions, students are proactively notified of college admissions decisions before they submit an application. This summer, Texas will implement one of the largest statewide direct admissions initiatives with over 25 institutions opted-in to participate. Participating institutions include regional, research, and flagship institutions representing all six university systems. In this webinar, Laura Brennan, Assistant Commissioner for College and Career Advising, will outline the process for student participation, highlight key learnings from research on this topic, and present plans for how Texas will expand direct admissions over time. Also, attendees will have the opportunity to provide insight on strategies to reach Texas students. Our team will moderate the discussion and be available to answer questions as they arise.
Student Modules: College and Career Support with Texas College Bridge
Webinar
My Texas Future connects you with the resources you need to plan your career and education. Explore careers and college programs through our tools, built for Texas learners like you.
Reduce the anxiety and confusion around college and career planning. Relax, and let Texas OnCourse guide you through the process with helpful, easy-to-use resources.
Students zero in on skills and interests to explore careers and endorsements and plan a path through high school.
Learn what colleges offer your major, where you can get in, how much schools cost, and more with this College Board resource.
With Texas College Bridge, high school juniors and seniors can take online college preparatory courses, strengthening their English and math skills prior to enrolling in college and setting them on a path to postsecondary success.
Student Scholarships doesn’t only offer a huge amount of scholarship opportunities for students’, but also holds a large collection of helpful career videos to help you decide your future.
Navigate your entire college application journey with Common App. Get connected with everything you need to apply to college, research financial aid and scholarships, and get advice from counselors, advisors and mentors.
Research and apply to colleges all over Texas.
Data and Facts
In spring 2024, 52 seniors participating in the Practicum program were surveyed to identify the necessary resources to support their transition after graduation.
This page holds the data collected from that assessment.
The findings from the needs assessment conducted among seniors enrolled in the Practicum program in spring 2024 revealed several key areas where students expressed a need for support in their post-graduation transition during the current school year. Approximately 58% of students identified College Financial Aid and Scholarships as crucial resources, highlighting the importance of financial assistance in managing the costs of higher education. Similarly, an equal percentage of students emphasized the significance of Websites with Job Listings and Internship Opportunities, indicating a strong desire for career-related resources to facilitate their entry into the workforce. Additionally, 53% of students recognized the importance of Time Management, Organization, and Goal Setting, underscoring the need for skills development in managing responsibilities and setting achievable objectives. Finally, 50% of students expressed a need for Tools for Creating Budgets and Tracking Expenses, suggesting a desire for assistance in managing personal finances effectively during the transition period. These findings underscore the multifaceted nature of students' needs as they navigate the transition from college to the professional world.
When surveyed about the resources they believed would have been beneficial during their junior year, the seniors in the Practicum program responded particularly favorably regarding Career Exploration and College Preparation. Analysis of the data revealed that 61% of seniors expressed a desire for SAT/ACT resources during their junior year, indicating a perceived need for assistance with standardized test preparation. Additionally, 57% of seniors identified a need for help with financial aid and scholarship opportunities, underscoring the importance of early access to resources to support college affordability and access to financial assistance. These findings highlight the proactive approach seniors believe would have enhanced their preparedness for the college application process and subsequent academic pursuits.
Utilizing the needs assessment conducted among seniors enrolled in the Practicum program, we leveraged the data to develop a comprehensive website to address their identified needs. By prioritizing categories such as Career Exploration, College Preparation, Financial Aid, and Scholarships, we crafted an online platform designed to provide accessible and tailored resources to support students throughout their academic journey. For instance, recognizing the high demand for SAT/ACT resources during junior year, we integrated comprehensive test preparation materials into the website to aid students in their standardized test readiness. In response to the expressed need for assistance with financial aid and scholarship opportunities, we have created a robust collection of resources, guides, and application tips to help students secure financial support for their education. Looking ahead, we envision the website evolving into a dynamic hub that continues to adapt and expand in alignment with the evolving needs of students. By continually soliciting feedback from users and conducting periodic assessments to gauge effectiveness, we aim to refine and enhance the website's offerings to ensure its ongoing relevance and impact. Moreover, we aspire for the website to serve as a collaborative platform where students, educators, and industry professionals can exchange insights, share best practices, and foster a supportive community dedicated to empowering students in their educational and career pursuits.
Click here to view the survey
