Mill Valley Next Steps is a new program at the school dedicated to helping students plan for life after high school.
In previous years, colleges and businesses would set up informational tables in the commons during lunch so students could come up and learn more about them. However, the table representatives and counselors noticed that students would not use their lunchtime to learn more about the tables.
It was decided to move this to the PAC instead and dedicate full seminars so that students can spend time walking up and learning about each table, asking questions and taking handouts.
Next Steps was set up by assistant principal Heath Wilson, with help from the counseling department. Counselor Patricia Chandler reflects on the importance of having this kind of opportunity at the school.
“I grew up in a rural community so we didn’t have representatives come and visit our building,” Chandler said. “[If I was] exposed to different possible careers and different universities, I don’t know if I would necessarily change my decision, but I based my decision on what I knew.”
It all starts with a meeting in the Performing Arts Center, giving each representative a minute or two to give a summary of why they’re here. Then, students are allowed to walk through the PAC themselves, stopping at different tables, asking questions and learning more about different colleges.
A student who particularly benefited from Next Steps was senior Alivia Thatlor.
“I’m kind of anxious about where I’m going because there’s so many options,” Thatlor said. “So [the career fair] did make me feel better when [the representatives] said, ‘I would recommend you go to community college,’ or ‘I would recommend you go to the four-year school with scholarships,’”
