Students, as you transition from grade 11 to 12, summer is time to prepare for your future. Use this checklist to stay on track, get organized, and make the most of the resources available to you in SchooLinks.

Explore & Prepare

• Update Your SchooLinks Profile: Make sure your interests, skills, and goals reflect who you are now. This will help match you with scholarships, careers, and postsecondary options.
• Build or Update Your Resume: Use the Resume Builder in SchooLinks to highlight your extracurriculars, work experience, and leadership roles.
• Research Careers & Majors: Use Career Assessments and the Career Explorer tool to dive deeper into potential pathways that align with your strengths.
• Build a College List: Use the College Search Tool in SchooLinks to find schools that are a great fit. Filter by major, location, cost, and more.

Get a Head Start

• Draft Your Personal Statement/College Essay Start writing and revising now. SchooLinks offers Essay Workshop Modules and examples to guide you.
• Request Letters of Recommendation Identify 1–2 trusted adults or teachers and ask if they’d be willing to write for you. SchooLinks helps manage these requests and tracks them for your applications.
• Search for Scholarships Use the Scholarship Matching Tool in SchooLinks to discover and track opportunities—even over summer!

Key Summer Dates & Deadlines

• FAFSA & Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA) open – October 1 (Mark your calendar now – early submission = more aid!) Tip: Use SchooLinks Financial Aid Planning tools to understand costs and build a college budget.
• Attend Campus Visits or Virtual Tours Log these experiences in SchooLinks under your College Planning dashboard.
• Schedule a Senior-Year Planning Meeting Meet with your counselor early in the fall to finalize your schedule and confirm your High School and Beyond Plan is on track.

Apply for summer job opportunities with Jobs 253

Are you a student looking for a job that offers more than just a paycheck? Jobs 253 is here to help you gain valuable real-world experience in a supportive, student-friendly environment, while getting paid!

Right now, several exciting opportunities are available across Tacoma for high school students through the Jobs 253 program. These positions are designed to be flexible, skill-building, and the perfect introduction to the world of work. Whether you're exploring your first job or looking to build on your experience, Jobs 253 connects you to roles that matter.

Jobs 253 positions offer:

• Paid employment
• Supportive supervision
• Real-world learning experiences
• Flexible schedules designed with students in mind

These are ideal first jobs that help prepare you for future careers, college pathways, or both. You can explore current listings and apply directly at: www.jobs253.com