College & Careers
Finding Colleges that Fit Your Major/Interest
SUNY College Finder: https://www.suny.edu/attend/find-a-suny-program/
From College Board: Find the right college for you: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search
Princeton Review College Search: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-search
US News College Search: https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/college-search
Naviance (see guidance counselor for more info)
Personal Statement / Essay Writing Guides / Thoughts
How to Write a College Essay: College admissions experts offer tips on selecting a topic as well as writing and editing the essay. https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-to-write-a-college-essay
Crafting an Unforgettable College Essay https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/college-essay
The Only Four College Essay Writing Tips You'll Ever Need https://admissions.tufts.edu/blogs/inside-admissions/post/the-only-four-college-essay-writing-tips-youll-ever-need/
Resume Template
Virtual College Tours
Many are listed here: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/virtual-tours
You can also go to your college of interest and look at the "visit" section. Many have virtual tours there.
You can also go to YouTube and look for orientation videos. Look for the college name and "orientation" to find these.
Navigating Your College's Website
Most college websites include tabs (usually found at the top) for various parts of the college. The following is meant to help you navigate through these:
Academics - this is where you can find the information on your major including:
what department is it in
what is the curriculum for this major (usually includes a core curriculum of courses in things outside of your major, as well as those within your major)
who are the faculty members in the department
who is the faculty member whose work/courses are interesting to you? Consider reaching out to them (in a well-crafted email) to see if they will meet with you to talk about the major
usually the library is listed here (including helpful LibGuides like this one and other resources for you!)
Financial Aid (sometimes called Bursar)
Scholarship information
tuition information
bill paying information
tax forms
help navigating grants, scholarships, and loans
Student Services
Academic Support, often including a tutoring center, writing center, library services, and disabilities office
Student counseling is here
student health services is often listed here (know where their office is!) - required health forms are often included on their site
Public Safety (put their number in your phone!)
sometimes the library is listed here
Athletics / Recreation
even if you do not play a sport on a team, the recreation center and other activities information is often included here
recreational sports as well as team sports for the college
weight room/gym times
personal training and other options
Student Life
often where Residential Life / Housing is located
Clubs and activities
dining options on-campus are often listed here
When in doubt - use the search bar or contact your academic or admissions counselor!
Online College - Free Course Options
Note that these do not lead to a degree - they are simply to take the course for your own development/knowledge. You can also just watch the recorded lectures to see what a college lecture is like (though they are not all the same)
MIT: https://ocw.mit.edu/ Free courses with interactive content from MIT OpenCourseWare and MITx courses.
Resources: High School to College with a Disability
Transitioning to Life After High School (article and links): https://www.ncld.org/research/state-of-learning-disabilities/transitioning-to-life-after-high-school/
Student Voices (learn what has worked for others with LDs): https://www.ncld.org/research/student-voices-a-study-of-young-adults-with-learning-and-attention-issues/
College Board website on Accommodations (About Requests, How to Request, When to Request): https://accommodations.collegeboard.org/
Information on the Overview of the Federal Higher Education Opportunity Act: https://thinkcollege.net/resource/federal-legislation/overview-federal-higher-education-opportunity-act improves access to postsecondary education for students with intellectual disabilities (ID). Alternative college experiences create opportunities for students with ID to attend and be successful in higher education. You can find information about financial aid, Transition Post-secondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID) and a National Coordinating Center.
National Coordinating Center: https://thinkcollege.net/projects/ncc The Think College National Coordinating Center provides coordination, technical assistance, training, and evaluation for Transition and Postsecondary Education Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSID). The NCC also provides on-demand technical assistance, training resources, and support to all college programs for students with ID, families and students.
ACCES-VR (Vocational Rehabilitation): http://www.acces.nysed.gov/vr Works with students, families and school districts to coordinate appropriate services for students with disabilities who are leaving secondary education and entering adult vocational rehabilitation, work opportunities, and/or related services.
Office for People With Developmental Disabilities: https://opwdd.ny.gov/ Responsible for coordinating services for New Yorkers with developmental disabilities. These include: intellectual disabilities; cerebral palsy; autism spectrum disorders,; other neurological impairments. There are no age limits for requesting OPWDD eligibility. However, it's important to do so when students turn 18 so that they can receive adult services.
NYS Office of Mental Health: http://www.ny.gov/agencies/office-mental-health Promotes the mental health and well-being of all New Yorkers. They also support children and families in their social and emotional development.
New York State Commission for the Blind (NYSCB) https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/nyscb/ This service works to: enhance employability; maximize independence; assist in the development of people who are legally blind.
IncludeNYC: https://includenyc.org/ Its Parent Center works with families and children with all disabilities, across all boroughs. They help families understand, navigate, and access the services and resources students need to develop to their full potential.
InclusiveU brings students of all ages with intellectual and developmental disabilities who want to experience college life in a fully inclusive setting to Syracuse University https://taishoffcenter.syr.edu/inclusiveu/ (Even if you aren't going to Syracuse, this site can show you some things to look for at other colleges/universities that you may want/need to have in your college experience!)
Transitioning to College
Paying for College Advice
US News Advice: https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/paying-for-college
From NYS Advice: https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college.html
FAFSA: https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch (Usually opens Oct 1 - apply as early as possible!)
NYS TAP Award: https://www.ny.gov/services/apply-new-york-state-tap
College Loans Explained: https://studentaid.gov/understand-aid/types/loans
FastWeb Scholarship Search: https://www.fastweb.com/
Naviance - search scholarships there as well (ask a guidance counselor)
SUNY School - see NYS Excelsior Scholarship Program information below
NYS Info: Federal and New York State student financial aid is available to help pay for college. In order to continue receiving financial aid, you must apply for it every year you attend college. Here is an outline of the process for applying for financial aid. https://www.hesc.ny.gov/pay-for-college/apply-for-financial-aid/apply-for-aid-start-here.html
College-Sponsored Scholarships: Most colleges have their own financial aid available, in the form of scholarships (free money you do not have to pay back). To find out - go to your college's website. Find the financial aid/tuition webpage. Look at the scholarship list. Can't find it? Use the chat or email feature to contact an admissions counselor. Be sure to use full sentences and formal email/chat language and format. Need help? Ask in guidance or in the library!
NYS Excelsior Scholarship Program
Eligibility: An applicant must:
be a resident of NYS and have resided in NYS for 12 continuous months prior to the beginning of the term;
be a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen;
have either graduated from high school in the United States, earned a high school equivalency diploma, or passed a federally approved "Ability to Benefit" test, as defined by the Commissioner of the State Education Department;
have a combined federal adjusted gross income of $125,000 or less;
be pursuing an undergraduate degree at a SUNY or CUNY college, including community colleges and the statutory colleges at Cornell University and Alfred University;
be enrolled in at least 12 credits per term and complete at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program through continuous study with no break in enrollment except for certain reasons that can be documented;
if attended college prior to the 2021-22 academic year, have earned at least 30 credits each year (successively), applicable toward his or her degree program prior to applying for an Excelsior Scholarship;
be in a non-default status on a student loan made under any NYS or federal education loan program or on the repayment of any NYS award;
be in compliance with the terms of the service condition(s) imposed by any NYS award that you have previously received; and
execute a Contract agreeing to reside in NYS for the length of time the award was received, and, if employed during such time, be employed in NYS.
Researching a Career Path on Google:
Look for .edu websites in order to find information about the career, the education requirements, and (often) articles about the career
Look for .org websites for association and organizations in the field (just add association to the name of the career path - example: association music; association construction)
Use the below resources. These are organized by types of careers, certification information, finding a college/major match, as well as information about research skills using the VRC.
Other Sources for Career Outlook Information:
Occupational Outlook Handbook: From the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, information on various career pathways, including projections. (Can also be found here: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ )
US Department of Labor:
O'NET: https://www.onetonline.org/ O*NET OnLine has detailed descriptions of the world of work for use by job seekers, workforce development and HR professionals, students, developers, researchers, and more! Find, search, or browse across 900+ occupations based on your goals and needs. Then use comprehensive reports to learn about requirements, characteristics, and available opportunities for your selected occupation.
Professional Organizations/Associations
(Note: You might consider joining or following one in your field of interest before graduation!)
Career One Stop: Professionl Organization Finder - https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-professional-associations.aspx
International Professional Organizations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_professional_associations
Google your career title and "professional organization" or "professional association." Most professional organizations have a board/panel of directors, an About section, a Resources, Events, Newsletter/Magazine, Education, Jobs/Careers, and other pages within their website. If there are ads, it is not likely a legitimate professional organization (unless the ads are industry-based within that field).
Career Pathway Guides - NYS Office of Professions
New York State Office of the Professions: https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions-index You want to go to this site to see the requirements (usually beyond college/technical degrees) for the following professions:
https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions-index
Acupuncture
Applied Behavior Analysis
Licensed Behavior Analysts
Certified Behavior Analyst Assistants
Architecture
Athletic Training
Audiology
Certified Shorthand Reporting
Chiropractic
Clinical Laboratory Technology
Clinical Laboratory Technologists
Cytotechnologists
Clinical Laboratory Technicians
Certified Histological Technicians
Dentistry
Dentists
Dental Anesthesia/Sedation
Dental Hygienists
Registered Dental Assistants
Dietetics-Nutrition
Engineering
Geology
Interior Design
https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions-index
Land Surveying
Landscape Architecture
Massage Therapy
Medical Physics
Medicine
Physicians
Physician Assistants
Specialist Assistants
Mental Health Practitioners
Creative Arts Therapists
Marriage and Family Therapists
Mental Health Counselors
Psychoanalysts
Midwifery
Nursing
Registered Professional Nurses
Nurse Practitioners
Clinical Nurse Specialists
Licensed Practical Nurses
Occupational Therapy
Occupational Therapists
Occupational Therapy Assistants
Ophthalmic Dispensing
Optometry
https://www.op.nysed.gov/professions-index
Pathologists' Assistant
Perfusion
Pharmacy
Pharmacists
Pharmacy Establishments
Registered Pharmacy Technicians
Physical Therapy
Physical Therapists
Physical Therapist AssistantsPodiatry
Polysomnographic Technology
Psychology
Public Accountancy
Certified Public Accountants
Public Accountants
Respiratory Therapy
Respiratory Therapists
Respiratory Therapy Technicians
Social Work
Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW)
Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW)
Speech-Language Pathology
Veterinary Medicine
Veterinarian
Veterinary Technician
Other Careers Requiring Certification/License
Notary Public: https://dos.ny.gov/notary-public
Security Guard: https://dos.ny.gov/security-guard
Real Estate Broker: https://dos.ny.gov/real-estate-broker
Cosmetology: https://dos.ny.gov/cosmetology
Appearance Enhancement Businesses: https://dos.ny.gov/appearance-enhancement-business
Licenses for Various Types of Businesses: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Consumer-Affairs/Type-of-License
Law Enforcement Career Pathways:
Suffolk Police Department: https://www.joinscpd.com/
State Troopers: https://joinstatepolice.ny.gov/
Correction Officers: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/jointheboldest/officer/overview.page
NYS Office of Criminal Justice Services: https://www.criminaljustice.ny.gov/opca/pathways_employment.htm
NYS Courts Careers: http://ww2.nycourts.gov/careers/careersinthecourts.shtml
Business: Starting Your Own Business Resources
Forming a Corporation https://dos.ny.gov/form-corporation-or-business
U.S. Small Business Administration: https://www.sba.gov/
U.S. Small Business Administration: https://www.usa.gov/federal-agencies/small-business-administration
Empire State Development: https://esd.ny.gov/doing-business-ny/small-business-hub
Funding Programs for Small Business:
Licenses for Various Types of Businesses: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Consumer-Affairs/Type-of-License
State Contracts: https://goer.ny.gov/state-union-contracts
Long Island Association: https://www.longislandassociation.org/committees/#young-professionals
Small Business Development Center at Stony Brook University: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/sbdc/services/index.php
Construction Trades - Career Pathways
Home Improvement Contractor License for NYC: https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dca/businesses/license-checklist-home-improvement-contractor.page
Department of Consumer Affairs: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Consumer-Affairs
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/home.htm
Building and Trades Council of Nassau & Suffolk County: https://www.nsbctc.com/index.html
Ironworkers: https://www.ironworkers.org/
Plumbers / Steamfitters: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/construction-and-extraction/plumbers-pipefitters-and-steamfitters.htm
Library-Related Careers
School Librarian: http://www.nysed.gov/curriculum-instruction/becoming-school-librarian-new-york-state
Public Library Librarian: https://www.ala.org/pla/resources/tools/careers
Specialty Librarianships: https://www.ala.org/educationcareers/careers/paths/specialty/libraryspecialties
Library-Related Professional Organizations to start with:
American Library Association: www.ala.org
School Library Journal: www.slj.com
New York Library Association: https://www.nyla.org/enyslma-home/
Military Careers
Military Career Outlook: https://www.bls.gov/ooh/military/military-careers.htm
Army: https://www.goarmy.com/
Coast Guard: https://www.uscg.mil//
Navy: https://www.navy.com/
Naval Academy (Officer): https://www.navy.com/joining-the-navy/ways-to-join/become-a-commissioned-officer
Army National Guard: https://www.nationalguard.com/
Air National Guard: https://www.ang.af.mil/
Air Force: https://www.airforce.com/
Marines: https://www.marines.com/
Teacher/Educator Certification Routes
Use this site to determine the requirements for the type of teaching/teacher assistant or other type of job in education that you are looking for: https://eservices.nysed.gov/teach/certhelp/CertRequirementHelp.do
Learn about becoming a certified teacher: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/certprocess.html
Learn about becoming a teaching assistant: http://www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert/certificate/ta.html
Learn about starting a daycare / child care center in NYS: https://ocfs.ny.gov/programs/childcare/become-a-provider.php
Teacher/Education-Related Professional Organizations to Start with:
NYSUT: New York State United Teachers: https://www.nysut.org/
National Education Association: https://www.nea.org/
Association of American Educators: https://www.aaeteachers.org/
Career Paths Across the Disciplines
Career Pathways Outlooks:
Occupational Outlook (US Bureau of Statistics): https://www.bls.gov/ooh/ (take a look at the list of careers on the left hand side)
US News Career Outlook: https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/the-100-best-jobs
Science:
https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/rankings/best-science-jobs
Read Ms. G's article on navigating Careers in the Mental Health Field (at the graduate level) (Psychologist, psychiatrists, mental health counselors, clinical art therapists, etc): https://sites.google.com/g.bbpschools.org/bbphslibrary/about-ms-g-your-librarian?authuser=0#h.hva9kxtyme8l
Engineering:
https://www.bls.gov/ooh/architecture-and-engineering/home.htm
https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/search?engineering=true
Clean Energy: https://www.energy.gov/eere/education/explore-clean-energy-careers-0
Energy: https://getintoenergy.org/
New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) https://www.nyserda.ny.gov/about/careers-at-nyserda
Business: https://money.usnews.com/careers/best-jobs/search?business=true
Legal Careers:
Creative:
Farming, Fishing, Forestry:
Political Science / International Relations Careers:
United Nations: https://careers.un.org/lbw/Home.aspx
US Foreign Service: https://careers.state.gov/work/foreign-service/officer/
US Department of State: https://careers.state.gov/work/available-jobs/
Civil Service Careers:
NYS Civil Service Office: https://www.cs.ny.gov/
Parks Service: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Parks/Doing-Business/Employment-Opportunities
Career Guides in Civil Service: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Civil-Service/Career-Information-Booklets
List of Jobs: https://apps2.suffolkcountyny.gov/civilservice/civilserviceinquiry/AllTitlesAction.aspx
Jobs in Fashion
Trend forecaster: Imagine being the one who decides whether it will be cheetah or zebra print this year. As a trend forecaster, you don’t quite get the power to decide but you are responsible for identifying new trends and predicting how those trends will shape consumer purchases. But it’s not all fun and games. The majority of the job revolves around data, statistics and researching socio-economic factors.
Creative director: A creative director is responsible for leading the conception, design and execution of everything creative a brand puts out. You’ve got to be a natural leader and an ideas machine, as you’re responsible for inspiring and directing the rest of the team as well as being innovative and, obviously, creative.
CRM manager: An acronym for Customer Relationship Manager, a CRM is charged with knowing a brand’s customers’ needs, wishes and dreams, often before they do. Working in all the consumer-centric fields, you’ll dip a toe into marketing, campaigns, customer service and PR to ensure the brand is well received by customers.
Fashion buyer: As the name suggests, buyers are in charge of sourcing and purchasing stock before the next fashion season begins. This includes negotiating with suppliers on prices and delivery, so having strong peopls skills is a plus. You have to be across upcoming consumer trends and have an intuitive understanding of the classic pieces which always sell for your particular brand or company. The only other requirement is you must be a passionate shopper and a good decision-maker, though I’m still not sure how these two go together.
Fabric researcher: This role tightens the lens on a more technical side of textiles and testing – think Lululemon Luxtreme and UNIQLO HeatTech. You’ll be responsible for fabric design and development, including researching new textile concepts (like this fabric made from mushrooms) and reviewing proposals for production. A fabric researcher works closely alongside the design team, so you’ll need to know your materials and adapt quickly to any major production faults and sudden design changes.
Merchandise planner/allocator: A merchandise planner or merchandise allocator is responsible for buying merchandise based on a brand’s sales history and current stock levels. You’ll be chaarged with planning the long-term buying strategy and negotiating price structures, as well as delivery dates, specific merchandise requirements and contracts. You’ll also be responsible for ensuring that products appear in the right stores in the right quantities at the right time (it’s all about organisation and structure). This job requires a lot of forecasting and monitoring of sales. You’ll be a wizard with numbers and a fast thinker as deadlines and turnarounds are tight.
Sustainability officer: As we all grow increasingly wary of the harm the fashion industry is causing to our environment, the role of a sustainability officer has emerged. In this role, you will be responsible for the development, implementation, promotion and monitoring of environmental strategies within the company, and need to make recommendations to avoid or lessen negative environmental impacts. Yep, you’ll be calling the shots and making the important decisions that could change the future of the industry. Working at the top of the company, you will be expected to write reports, pitch ideas and identify opportunities for change.
Authenticity expert: The rise of second-hand designer fashion websites has opened up new career opportunities for luxury lovers. Imagine ordering (plus spending a fortune on) a vintage Chanel bag only to receive a fake – I can’t think about this kind of devastation and neither should you. Thankfully, most resale sites now retain authenticity experts who are trained to ensure any claimed designer products are the real deal. Luxury brands in particular plant brand identifiers (holograms, date codes, authenticity cards and hallmarks) that these experts know to look for, plus they have a sharp eye for evaluating quality of materials and construction.
Fashion psychologist: Now, I know what you’re thinking and no. This is not a therapist dedicated to treating shopping addiction (though I can think of a few people who would benefit) but instead a psychological scientist for consumer behaviour. The job involves getting inside the mind of potential customers, mainly through study, research into consumer habits and surveying the impact of fashion (clothing, cosmetics, accessories) on wellbeing and mindset. Working through a variety of research channels, you’ll need a critical and creative mind.
Print designer: A print designer, as the name suggests, visualises and produces visual designs to be used for textiles, artwork, materials or graphics – think Gorman and Marimekko. You’ll be involved in coming up with innovative ideas and developing commercially-appealing designs and prints. You are expected to be a master of all crafts producing hand-drawn, painted and digital artwork. This also includes producing design ideas, sketches and samples for presentations.
Data analyst: Similar to a trend forecaster, a data analyst stays on top of trends and consumer behaviour. This is done by collecting and analysing all visitor data from the brand’s channels (Instagram, Facebook, websites, and so on). You’ll need to be well equipped with the knowledge to help make future decisions for the brand, and will be required to communicate and pitch this information to potential investors.
Product developer: As a product developer, your role is to coordinate the development process of new styles, ensuring the highest level of quality for each garment. This job is all about sketching, tech packs, sourcing, analysing – the list is endless. You’ll be there from the start to finish of the design process, ensuring the product is of the highest quality possible before it hits the shop floor.
Resources:
Internships / Volunteering
NYS Civil Service Internship: https://nysinternships.cs.ny.gov/nnyl/
NYS Park Service Internship: https://parks.ny.gov/environment/students-faculty.aspx
The Met (museum) Internship: https://www.metmuseum.org/about-the-met/internships/high-school/summer-high-school-internships
NY Historical Society Internship: https://www.nyhistory.org/education/student-historian-internship-program
Bank of America Internship: https://about.bankofamerica.com/en/making-an-impact/student-leaders
NASA Internships: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/education/internships.html
Long Island Aquarium Internship: https://www.longislandaquarium.com/aquarium-info/get-involved/college-internship-opportunities/
Girls, Inc Internship: https://girlsincli.org/get-involved/internships/
Peconic Estuary Internship: https://www.peconicestuary.org/
South Fork Natural History Museum Internship: https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/southampton/sea/_docs/SoFo%20Volunteer%20Internship%20Position.pdf
Quogue Wildlife Refuge Internship: https://quoguewildliferefuge.org/job-and-internship-opportunities/
Cornell Cooperative Extension - Volunteers: http://ccesuffolk.org/volunteer and Jobs: http://ccesuffolk.org/jobs
Wildlife Rescue - Volunteer: https://www.wildliferescuecenter.org/get-involved/volunteer/
Long Island Press Internship: https://www.longislandpress.com/2022/01/01/long-island-press-seeking-interns-for-2021/
Save the Sound Internships and Jobs: https://www.savethesound.org/about-us/jobs-rfps/
Long Island Pine Barrens: https://www.pinebarrens.org/internship-opportunities/
Seatuck Internships: https://seatuck.org/careers-and-internships/
Family & Children's Association Internships: https://fcali.org/careers/student-internship-opportunities
AHRC Internships (working with Developmental Disabilities populations): https://www.ahrc.org/getinvolved/volunteer/
WBAB (Radio) Internship: https://www.wbab.com/fp/intern/
Broadway Internships:
News12 Internships: https://longisland.news12.com/careersinternships-35179249
NYS Internships: https://nysinternships.cs.ny.gov/nnyl/
County Government Internships:
Nassau: https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/455/Internship-Externship-Programs
Suffolk DA: https://suffolkcountyny.gov/da/Internship
Sheriff's Office Internships (college): https://www.suffolkcountysheriffsoffice.com/programs/college-internships
Human Rights Internship: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/human-rights-commission/internships
Probation Office Internship: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Probation/Careers-and-Internships
Suffolk County Police Internship: https://scpdcrb.suffolkcountyny.gov/Police-Internship-Program
Suffolk Legislature Internships: https://www.scnylegislature.us/1002/Internships
Leaders in Training Program: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Elected-Officials/County-Executive/Suffolk-County-Leaders-in-Training-Program
Suffolk County Youth Program: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Labor/Youth-Programs
PSEG: https://corporate.pseg.com/careers/careers-at-pseg/campusrecruiting