Professionally Speaking Newsletter V1_25aug16

News & Insights for the Counseling Professional Fall 2016Are Your StudentsEmotionally Readyfor College?By graduation day, students have spentyears preparing academically for college.But what about emotionally? ALSO IN THIS ISSUEWhy Health CareCareers Are StillHot, Hot, HotThe New SAT:Friend or Foe?Show Us theMoney

Dear Colleague,We are pleased to bring you a new issue of Professionally Speaking, a newsletter designed to offerinformation on topics of interest to professional school counselors.Our lead story delves into recent research showing that, while entering college freshmen may bewell-prepared academically, many feel overwhelmed emotionally. This article offers practical strat-egies and resources we hope you will find useful as you assist your students during their transitionfrom high school to college. Also in this edition, you will find an article that outlines the changes incorporated into the redesigned SAT and how students can practice for each of the components. In an article titled, Show Us the Money, we have included strategies to help students and their families navigate the financial aid maze, as well as, online resources families can use to apply for grants and scholarships. Additionally, you will find articles covering preparedness beyond col- lege and a look at the vast number of career opportuni- ties in the health care industry.Finally, in “Counselor’s Corner,” you’ll find a recap of our workshop on Long Island’s heroin crisiswhere Jeffrey Reynolds shared his tips on how school counselors can play an essential role in help-ing prevent tragic overdose deaths. This year our counselor workshop will focus on crisis preven-tion, featuring Rachel’s Promise. More information about this event is forthcoming.At St. Joseph’s College, we recognize the importance of your work. We strive to offer the best insightand resources, and hope you will find the articles in Professionally Speaking timely and useful. Ifthere are topics of interest that you would like us to cover in future issues, please let us know.We look forward to working with you.Best regards,Gigi LamensVice President for Enrollment Management

Are Your Students EmotionallyReady for College?Each year high school counselors, like yourself, spend endless hours counseling students about courses,standardized testing, career paths, financial aid and college applications. By graduation day, students have spentyears preparing academically for college.BUT WHAT ABOUT EMOTIONALLY? ARE THEY JUST AS PREPARED?28% TOP 30% 1/3 50% STRESSStaying FACTORS Making Regularly consumed STRESSED:in touch new friends alcohol or drugs Most or all of the time40% 2% »» Engage families in open discussions aboutFinancial Learning common college hurdles like how to decidecosts how to live on a major and what to do about roommate independently issues.According to “First-Year College Experi- to college is especially important, because tran- »» Create forums for family discussions about ence,” a recent report based on a sitions are always “danger points for kids and risky college behaviors involving drugs, Harris Poll conducted among 1,502 stress and substance use,” says Sean Clarkin, alcohol and sex.first-year college students nationwide, the EVP, Research and External Relations, Partner-first year of college is packed with emotional ship for Drug-Free Kids. »» Talk to students about resilience, offeringchallenges that range far beyond academics. In examples of how they have already shownfact, most of the students surveyed said they What can high school counselors do to prepare strength in the face of challenging situa-felt better prepared academically for college students emotionally for college? tions—like bouncing back after a failedthan emotionally. Nearly half reported feeling exam, a failed romance, or not making aoverwhelmed the first year, as if “everyone has »» Guide students toward choosing a college particular sports team.college figured out but me,” and 50 percent that best fits their emotional needs as well assaid they feel stressed “most or all of the time.” their academic interests. »» Share “Set to Go,” a new online resource being designed to help high school studentsTop stress factors among first-year college »» Point families toward resources available on prepare for the transition to college andstudents include financial costs (40 percent), most college campuses, such as academic beyond: http://settogo.org/the-researchmaking new friends (30 percent), staying in and residential life advisors, free tutoringtouch with family and friends (28 percent) and centers, student life offices, mental health Most of the students surveyedlearning how to live independently. Students professionals and financial aid counselors. said they felt better preparedwith lower GPAs are the most likely to say academically for college thanthey’re having trouble coping. Almost a third of »» Remind students that self-advocacy is one of emotionally. Nearly half reportedstudents said they regularly consumed alcohol the most important skills they can master feeling overwhelmed the firstor drugs their first term of college. before going to college, and encourage them year, as if “everyone has college to advocate for themselves in high school. figured out but me,” and 50Those who commissioned the report say emo- percent said they feel stressedtional preparedness occurs more consistently »» Urge parents to let go of the reins a little “most or all of the time.”across the board when it is better integrated and allow seniors to build their independentinto the work high school counselors are living skills, teaching them how to managealready doing to prepare kids for college. They their own time and finances, and navigatepoint out that the transition from high school daily domestic chores like cooking and laundry.

The New SAT: FRIEND OR FOE? When the new Scholastic Achievement Test (SAT) was rolled out in March 2016, some professional educators claimed the redesigned test would be a better measurement of a student’s potential to do well in college, saying it more closely demonstrates the skills that college students need. Others worry the new test will lower admissions standards.Should Standardized Now that the test is out, what can high then are asked to define that word. In math-Testing Be Abolished? school counselors tell students and ematics, the new SAT has geometry, algebra families about how the new SAT dif- I and II and basic trigonometry rather thanWhile various experts are debating the fers from the old one? mostly geometry and algebra like the old test.merits of the redesigned SAT, other There is one section that tests students on basicgroups, like the National Center for BASICALLY, IT BOILS DOWN arithmetical skills without allowing them toFair and Open Testing, are steadily TO THIS: use a calculator, which some students mightlobbying to abolish the SAT and ACT as find stressful, so they’d be well-advised to prac-criteria for college admission. »» No more obscure vocabulary words tice those sections ahead of time.Their persistence is paying off. According »» Scoring is once again based on 1600 points RESOURCESto a recent article in the New York Times,about 46 percent of top-tier liberal arts »» The number of multiple-choice answer HOW CAN YOU HELP STUDENTScolleges and a number of large research options have decreased from five to four PREPARE FOR THE TEST?universities no longer require applicantsto take standardized tests, believing »» The essay is now optional In addition to the various expensive SAT tutoringthis policy will expand access to higher and test preparation workshops available,education for those who fare poorly on »» Incorrect answers are no longer penalized, students can find practice tests and test-takingthem. Schools that have made the tests meaning students should be encouraged to strategies at a number of free or reasonably-optional often require students to submit make an educated guess after narrowing priced web sites, such as:other materials, like AP exam scores, down the choices even if they are not sure ofportfolios or graded papers. the answer Kahn AcademyWhat’s the impact of dropping the tests? »» Texts in the exam are more similar to what https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/satMinimal, according to researchers like high school students see on a daily basisWilliam C. Hiss, former Dean of Admissions Prep Scholarat Bates College. Hiss began studying »» Reading is now based on evidencethe role of tests like the SAT and ACT http://blog.prepscholar.com/in admissions decisions in 1984. In 2014, »» There are no more experimental sections complete-official-sat-practice-tests-free-linkshe published a long-term study showingthat, of 123,000 students, nearly a third The redesigned test places the emphasis on Varsity Tutorswere admitted without submitting test more realistic skills and applications, likescores—and there was no significant problem-solving situations a person might https://www.varsitytutors.com/how-we-operatedifference between their graduation rates encounter in a workplace, and is intended toand those of students who had opted to measure a student’s lifetime of learning rathertake the tests. than short-term mastery of material. For instance, rather than asking students to select obscure words in a vacuum, students read passages that put a word in context and

Show Us the MoneyFor college-bound high school seniors and their families, probably no topic is morefraught with tension than financial aid. The excitement of receiving a coveted collegeacceptance is easily forgotten in the scramble to find tuition money.How can counselors help high school »» The College Board has also put together UPCOMING students navigate the maze of finan- a helpful list of financial aid resources for WORKSHOP: cial aid options? counselors at https://professionals.colleg- eboard.org/guidance/financial-aid Unraveling the MysteryBegin by explaining what financial aid is—a of Financial Aidsource of money that makes up the difference »» The Department of Education offers abetween college costs and what a family can wealth of resources for counselors, and spe- WHERE: St. Joseph’s Collegeafford—and reassure families that about two- cialized topics such as how to help underrep- WHEN: Tuesday,thirds of full-time undergraduate college stu- resented students pay for college, right here:dents currently receive some form of financial https://financialaidtoolkit.ed.gov/tk/ October 4, 2016aid. Explain the differences between the three at 6:30 PMtypes of financial aid: grants and scholarships, »» Finally, counselors and families willwhich don’t have to be repaid; employment pro- find useful information through thegrams such as work-study, that allow students to National Association of Financial Aidearn money while they’re in school; and loans. Administrators at http://www.nasfaa.org/ students_parents_counselors»» Counselors who are eager to offer students Students and families seeking sources of FOR MORE INFORMATION: the best possible advice about financial funding can find help online, too. Guide your visit www.sjcny.edu or call aid can find a great deal of information on students toward the following web sites for 631-687-4500 the government’s comprehensive web site specific information related to grants, scholar- entitled Information for Financial Aid Pro- ships, and other sources of college funding: fessionals: http://ifap.ed.gov/ifap/Resources FASTWEB scholarships that can be filtered by keywords and lists of awards.CAPPEX Fastweb hosts over 1.5 million scholarships www.scholarshipmonkey.com totaling more than $3.4 billion dollars, with aCAPPEX offers a large scholarship database, well-organized search platform. SCHOLARSHIPS.COMwith up to $11 billion available in awards, plus www.fastweb.coma “What Are My Chances” tool that calculates Scholarships.com asserts that its databasethe odds that a student will be admitted to a FINAID offers at least 3.7 million scholarship and grantparticular college before the student applies. opportunities worth more than $19 billion. Thiswww.cappex.com Probably one of the most well-known online site is updated daily and can be browsed by financial aid resources, FinAid allows students category, but it doesn’t offer the full host ofTHE COLLEGE BOARD to research what scholarships and financial aid resources you’ll find on more complete sites like they’re qualified to receive based on income, Peterson’s.The College Board provides an extensive list age, and previous education. www.scholarships.comof scholarships, along with college search www.finaid.orgtools, articles, test prep programs and more.www.collegeboard.org PETERSON’S UNIGOCOLLEGENET Peterson’s is a terrific one-stop scholarship Unigo, like Petersons, provides profile-based resource, boasting $10 million in scholarship matching and easily browsed categories forOn Collegenet, families can search for awards along with other college prep scholarship seekers, as well as internships,scholarships by keyword or create a profile. resources. jobs, college profiles and rankings, articlesScholarships are listed by their award www.petersons.com/college-search/ and a textbook store. They offer 3.6 millionamounts, listed with highest payouts first. scholarship-search.aspx scholarships worth over $14 billion.www.collegenet.com/elect/app/app www.unigo.com/scholarships/match SCHOLARSHIP MONKEY Scholarship Monkey offers a huge index of

Counseling Studentson How to Look Beyond Academics toPrepare for College—and a CareerAccording to a recent study released by the Association of AmericanColleges and Universities (AAC&U), employers overwhelminglyendorse “broad learning” and “cross-cutting skills” as the bestpreparation for long-term success in most careers.WHAT DOES THAT MEAN, EXACTLY?In national surveys of business and nonprofit »» Intercultural skills and an understanding of to attend career fairs, reach out to mentorsleaders, the AAC&U found that few employ- societies and countries outside the United in their fields of interest, work a variety ofers are looking solely for graduates with States (78 percent) summer jobs, and complete senior projects orfield-specific knowledge and skills. Instead, internships whenever possible. Participatingmost businesses place a far greater emphasis How can counselors help high school students in activities outside the classroom will helpon hiring college graduates who demonstrate begin acquiring these essential broad-based them choose a major once they begin college,broad-based skills and general knowledge that skills now, so that they are better prepared for and will get them into the habit of settingcut across all majors. These include oral and college and will more successfully compete in a goals, exploring options, and gaining on-the-written communication, the ability to work global economy after graduation? job experience as early as possible instead ofwith others on a team, ethical decision mak- waiting until after college graduation.ing, critical thinking, a global perspective and In addition to encouraging your students to take challenging academic courses, urge themEMPLOYERS ARE LOOKING FOR THE FOLLOWING SKILLS AMONG COLLEGE GRADUATES APPLYING FOR JOBS:91% 96% 78%A demonstrated capacity Experiences that have taught Intercultural skills and an to think critically, them how to solve problems with understanding of societies people whose views are different and countries outside thecommunicate clearly, and solve complex problems from their own United Statesbeing able to apply classroom knowledge to to continue honing their communication skills RESOURCESreal-world settings—the precise skills which through extracurricular activities that call forliberal arts colleges are known to help their writing and public speaking, such as writing COUNSELORS CAN ALSO FIND Astudents develop and refine. for the school’s blog or newspaper, running for WEALTH OF INFORMATION on how to student government positions, entering essay counsel high school students about careersIn particular, employers are looking for the fol- and short story contests, and joining Model UN through the Bureau of Labor Statistics at:lowing skills among college graduates applying and debate teams. Students can also developfor jobs: leadership skills through community service, www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2015/article/career- athletics, and club activities. Remind them planning-for-high-schoolers.htm, and»» A demonstrated capacity to think critically, that colleges are especially looking for students communicate clearly, and solve complex who are dedicated enough to their passions to www.sreb.org/sites/main/files/file-attachments/ problems (91 percent) follow them over a number of years. 13v08w_bestpractices_counseling.pdf»» Experiences that have taught them how to This is a great time for students to start solve problems with people whose views exploring career options, too. Advise them differ from their own (96 percent)

Counselor’s Corner Why Health Care WORKSHOP RECAP: Careers Are Still Long Island’s Heroin Crisis: How School HOT, HOT, HOT Counselors Can Make a DifferenceProbably no employment arena offers more exciting, On December 3, 2015, St. Joseph’s College Jeffrey Reynoldsflexible, highly-paid or sustainable career options than welcomed Jeffrey Reynolds, Ph.D., Presidentheath care. and Chief Executive Officer of Family and Children’s Association, to address the schoolBetween now and 2024, the U.S. Department of Labor expects counseling community about Long Island’s there to be upwards of 2.3 million new jobs in health care—an growing heroin crisis. employment bump of 19 percent, more than any other industry. According to “New York State Opioid Poisoning, Overdose and Pre-High school students may not realize the abundance of opportunities in vention,” a report prepared for Governor Andrew Cuomo and thethis field—careers that extend far beyond the typical nursing and medical New York State Legislature, the number of drug overdose deaths incareers. For instance, students who are not interested in working directly New York has hit a record high, with 825 in 2014, compared to 666with patients can choose to study diseases in a laboratory and may look in 2013.for programs that focus on Medical Technology. Those who do wish towork with patients can choose from a variety of settings and populations. Suffolk County had more heroin- and opioid-related overdoseFor these students, programs such as Therapeutic Recreation, Audiology, deaths than any other county in New York, with 111 overdosePsychology, Health Care Hospitality, along with traditional Nursing may deaths in 2014. Lawmakers say that Suffolk County hospitals andbe a better fit. One booming field that may still be unfamiliar to students outpatient treatment facilities are swamped by an ever-escalatingis that of Health Care Hospitality. Bachelor’s degree programs in Health number of cases.Care Hospitality prepare graduates to improve patient satisfaction levels inhospitals and in senior residences. This field has experienced rapid growth During the lunch, networking session and discussion at the Islandiain recent years, because health care facilities have begun recognizing that Marriott, Dr. Reynolds shared his experiences working withthe key to success in a competitive field is to focus on the quality of patient struggling families, at-risk adolescents and adults challenged bycare, treating patients as guests from check-in to check-out. substance abuse. He also offered practical suggestions for how high school counselors can provide interventions and treatment.When your students express an interest toward health care careers,guide them toward exploring summer jobs and internships in high As a member of Gov. Cuomo’s newly-formed Heroin & Opioids Taskschool that might take them into health care settings, such as a hospital Force, Dr. Reynolds praised proposed new legislation that will buildor community outpatient clinics. Those who are unable to find paid on the state’s aggressive efforts to better monitor prescription drugs,internships can contact their local health care organizations and offer to increase access to treatment and break the cycle of heroin andvolunteer at least a few hours a week. opioid addiction in New York.There are also a number of websites that offer an overview of health care “Better prevention, timely access to treatment and support forcareers, including: people in recovery are absolutely key,” he said. He added that educating high school counselors, teachers, parents and teenagers»» ­http://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/ about the crisis is critical, since half of the overdose deaths were healthcare-career-guide-for-students among people under age 35.»» http://mycollegeguide.org/articles/choosing-a-major/ FIND OUT MORE health-care-careers-majoring FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT DR. REYNOLDS andAs an added plus, there are hundreds of scholarships, grants and loans his work, visit http://jeffreyreynolds.com. We are currently acceptingavailable for aspiring health care workers. But the biggest payoff of all is ideas for our next School Counselor Workshop. If there is a topicthe chance to make a difference in the lives of others. you would especially like to learn about, please feel free to share it with us. Contact Kathleen Magistro at [email protected] with your suggestions today and we will do our best to accommodate them and plan for a future workshop or presentation.

PROGRAMS OF STUDY AT ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE PROGRAMS OF STUDY MINOR PROGRAMS GRADUATE PROGRAMS FIVE-YEAR, DUAL Master of Arts of in Childhood or DEGREE PROGRAMS Accounting Marketing Accounting B.S. / M.B.A. in Accounting American Studies Adolescence Special Education with B.S. in Adolescence Education in Biology Mathematics Art an Annotation in Severe and Multiple Art History Disabilities Chemistry/ M.A. in Childhood or Business Administration Mathematics and Biology Master of Arts in Literacy and Cognition Adolescence Special Education Chemistry Computer Science Business Administration Master of Arts in Infant/Toddler Early B.A. in Adolescence Education in Computer Information Chemistry Childhood Special Education English / M.A. in Childhood or Medical Technology Communication Studies (Speech) Master of Science in Human Services Adolescence Special Education Technology Nursing Computer Information Systems Management and Leadership B.A. in Adolescence Education in Criminal Justice Computer Science Master of Science with a major in History / M.A. in Childhood or - Community (freshmen, fall only) Criminal Justice Nursing (Concentrations in Clinical Nurse Adolescence Special Education Political Science Economics Specialist in Adult Health and Nursing B.A. or B.S. In Adolescence Education Correctional Psychology English Education) in Mathematics / M.A. In Childhood Alternatives - O rganizational Environmental Studies Master of Science in Management or Adolescence Special Education - Criminal Justice and Film/Media (Concentrations in Organizational B.A. in Adolescence Education in Technology Industrial Psychology Fine Arts Management, Health Care Management Spanish / M.A. In Childhood or - Juvenile Justice Recreation History and Human Resources Management) Adolescence Special Education - Law and Justice - L eisure Services Human Resources Executive Master of Business Journalism Administration — EMBA NCAA DIVISION III Management Labor, Class and Ethics MBA in Accounting ATHLETIC TEAMS Latino Studies MBA in Health Care Management - Mental Health - Therapeutic Recreation Mathematics Baseball (men’s only) Music PRE-PROFESSIONAL Basketball Education Religious studies and Music History PROGRAMS Cross-country Philosophy Peace and Justice Studies Golf - Adolescence Education Philosophy Accounting Indoor track and field Social Sciences Political Science Business Administration Lacrosse ° Biology - Economics Psychology Pre-Dental Outdoor track and field ° Chemistry Sociology Religious Studies Pre-Law Soccer ° English Spanish Sociology Pre-Medical Softball (women’s only) ° History Speech (Communication Spanish Pre-Veterinary Swimming (women’s only) ° Mathematics Studio Arts Recreation Tennis ° Spanish Studies) Theatre Teacher Education Volleyball - Child Study Studio Arts Therapeutic Recreation Women’s Studies English History Hospitality and Tourism Management - Health Care Hospitality - H otel Management - Tourism Human Relations Journalism and New Media StudiesMORE For more information on any aspect of St. Joseph’s College, APPLY ONLINE I N F O R M AT I O N please feel free to contact the Admissions Office: Visit www.sjcny.edu and apply LONG ISLAND CAMPUS now using our online application. 155 West Roe Boulevard | Patchogue, NY 11772 SJC is also a member of the (631) 687-4500 | www.sjcny.edu Common Application.