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College and Career – Graduating Ready for Post-Academic Success

Group of seated students examine magazines.

Choosing a Meaningful Path

San José Public Library believes that every student should be able to choose a meaningful path upon graduating from high school, whether that path is developing valuable trade skills, attending a two or four-year college, or launching a small business.

Program Stats & Outcomes

 

From existing resources like SJPL Works and Career Online High School to innovative programming like SJ Engage and SJ Aspires, the San José Public Library connects learners to quality programming that supports them in their educational and career endeavors.

 

 

Highlights & Impact

San José Aspires (SJ Aspires) promotes college and career readiness to students at high schools in San José.

This program guides students as they transition from high school and enroll in college or join the workforce. Through SJ Aspires, students will learn about:

  • California's community colleges
  • California's four-year colleges and universities
  • applying for financial aid.

As students explore their educational opportunities, they take a career inventory, write a resume and cover letter, and pick up life skills. Students who complete SJ Aspires will gain the knowledge they need to pursue their career goals and receive up to $500 to help with educational expenses they face along the way.


Note: Numbers in these charts are from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Data will be updated annually.

 

Highlights & Impact

San José Public Library's Career Online High School (COHS) offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma and a career certificate.

 


Note: Numbers in these charts are from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Data will be updated annually.

 

Highlights & Impact

Teen programs allow middle and high school students to develop and demonstrate 21st century skills, including the following:

  • develop social-emotional growth
  • exercise leadership
  • address real-world problems
  • explore and learn about potential careers, including
    • educational requirements
    • hands-on opportunities to develop skills
    • understand how to find, apply, and/or interview for entry-level work opportunities
    • gain research skills needed to learn and gain financial literacy skills


Note: Numbers in these charts are from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Data will be updated annually.

 

Highlights & Impact

Teen volunteer programs allow high school students opportunities for the following:

  • professionalism
  • creativity
  • civic learning
  • leadership
  • social-emotional growth

Examples of volunteer opportunities include the following:


Note: Numbers in these charts are from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Data will be updated annually.

 

Highlights & Impact

The Youth Commission is recognized as the official youth advisory group to the Mayor and City Council. Youth Commissioners develop policy recommendations concerning youth and support youth who serve their community through civic engagement and participation.


Note: Numbers in these charts are from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Data will be updated annually.

 

Highlights & Impact

San José Works (SJ Works) offers students from low-income and underserved communities their first jobs to set them on a path to success.

The SJ Works mentoring program for youth who participated in the subsidized program recruited older adults, preferably working professionals, to mentor high school students. For Fiscal Year 2021/2022, this program recruited 74 mentors and paired them with 78 participants for one-on-one mentoring.


Note: Numbers in these charts are from July 1, 2021 to June 30, 2022. Data will be updated annually.

 

More Info

Five wooden blocks with black checkmarks on a light blue background.

College and Career Readiness Quality Standards (660 KB, PDF)

These Standards serve as a guide to quality improvement for college and career readiness programs in the City of San José.

Cluster of fists touching over keyboards.

SJ Engage: Teens Take Action

Local youth ages 13-24: Empower. Act. Make a Difference.

Crowd of graduating students, viewed from behind as a sea of caps.

SJ Aspires

Providing San Jose’s students with the skills and knowledge needed to achieve their academic or career goals.

Mayor Sam Liccardo and graduates of the program

Career Online High School

Career Online High School offers adults the opportunity to earn an accredited high school diploma & a career certificate with support from enrollment to graduation.

Current Group Of Youth Commissioners

Youth Commission

The Youth Commission is the advisory group to the Mayor and City Council, which empowers and encourages youth to be civically engaged through local and city-wide events and initiatives.

Five teenagers smile and laugh at the camera.

Teens Reach: Community Service

Youth council for the San José Public Library, providing a key way for young adults to build their leadership skills and become library advisors and advocates.