College/Career Counselor Andrea Fuhrer had an untraditional summer—her new role took her on the road. Fuhrer spent time visiting selected colleges such as Duke University and UNC Chapel Hill while collaborating with national college advisors. With the help of the school counselors, Fuhrer built the College and Career Research Center from the ground up, which has recently opened and will aid students while they plan for their life after graduation.
“Regardless of whether you might be going straight to college or straight to a career, the number one way to figure out what you want to do is just exploring and getting lost in that interest,” Fuhrer said.
The research center is located in the media center and is open from 2:20 to 3 p.m. every day except Wednesday. If students need quick answers, they can expect to ask Dr. Fuhrer at the Counselor Corner at lunch each day. The center is also bringing back college and career visits. Several tours are already planned for this year along with further resources that will allow students to learn how to be a competitive applicant for college admissions. Students can start registering for college tours throughout the semester.
“The main goal is for all students to have a four-year plan leaving high school. Whether that be college, military, starting their own business, going into a career, whatever it is, we want to give them a bridge from high school and connect that to their next steps,” Fuhrer said.
The College and Career Center will cater not only to students, but to parents as well. On Tuesday, August 20, Fuhrer, along with school counselor Michelle Cortes, gave an introductory presentation after a PTSA general meeting. Over 60 parents attended the presentation, where they were informed about all kinds of events like Living on My Own, a financial literacy activity, and Informed by the Uniform, a career expo focused on first responder and military pathways.
“My daughter’s in 11th grade. She’s my second daughter and my oldest graduate from Hagerty… they did a great job [before the Career Center], but it was a lot of navigation that we did on our own,” Simon Small-Ali, a parent in attendance, said. “This is something at the school where she can come and ask questions for herself. It’s just another layer, another level of help for us.”
In addition to the research center, Fuhrer is also offering a Dual Enrollment credit class in school called Career Life planning. This class will go deeper into the investigation portion of post-graduation plans. Currently, the class has a full enrollment.
“I really want [students] to feel like they have more support and walk out more equipped whether it is for college or another pathway. I want to make sure that if they need scholarships or if they need anything, that I have the ability to offer them that,” Fuhrer said.
