College and Career Plaza

Alliyah Noor, Executive Director of College and Career Plaza, shares the importance of early guidance for future goals

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Recently, I was invited to a school event where I had the opportunity to share information about CCP with incoming freshmen from three different middle schools. The students were brought to me by our seniors and accompanied by their middle school teachers.

I provided a brief overview of who we are and what we do, and then I handed out a flyer I created that included several questions for them to consider about their future. One of the questions was, "Do you want to go to college?" As the groups rotated, I asked each student this question, and many of them raised their hands and answered yes. When I followed up by asking what they wanted to study, they shared a variety of career aspirations, ranging from ultrasound technician to investigator.

I assured them that they could definitely make these dreams a reality, emphasizing that one important step toward achieving their goals starts their freshman year. I advised them that every class they take and their grades could make a significant difference when it comes time to discuss scholarships and colleges during their senior year. I continued my talk about college and career opportunities, I encouraged them to get involved in clubs at school and within their community. They nodded and expressed their understanding.

At the end of the event, a senior came back to my table and said, “Miss, I heard what you were telling the 8th graders. No one told me to do well my freshman year, so I didn’t earn all my credits and ended up with a low GPA. I hope they listen.” The senior shared that they are now on track to graduate with plans to attend college.

This encounter reminded me that we never know who our message and work might reach. Although my intended audience was the 8th graders, it was heartening to see that a senior recognized the truth in what I was saying. And even though no one had provided her with this guidance before, she expressed gratitude for the insight someone else was now receiving.

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The Santa Fe Community Foundation invited its nonprofit grantees to submit stories related to our May topic of Civic and Economic Opportunities.