University & Career Counselling
University & Career Counseling (UCC) Program Overview
The UCC Program at Skill Stork International School provides a structured, grade-wise approach to support students in discovering, planning, and achieving their career and college aspirations. Each year from grades 9 through 12 introduces new tools, insights, and milestones, allowing students to make informed and confident decisions about their futures.
Grade 9: Self-Discovery and Career Exploration
- Milestones: Personality and intelligence assessments are conducted to understand individual strengths and preferences, helping students to begin exploring potential career paths.
- Career Field Introduction: Structured sessions introduce various career options, enabling students to shortlist potential fields that align with their interests.
- Goal Setting: Students engage in initial college research, setting a foundation for their future academic journey.
- Block Play for Engineering Concepts: Encourages experimentation with balance, stability, and problem-solving through tower-building tasks.
- Sensory Play: Explores scientific principles like absorption and buoyancy through water and sand activities.
Grade 10: Career Focus and Subject Finalization
- Refinement of Interests: Through advanced psychometric assessments, students gain a clearer understanding of their career inclinations.
- Life Skills and Profile Building: Students acquire essential life skills and begin developing academic and extracurricular profiles tailored to their career goals.
- College Research and Country Selection: Students start exploring potential college destinations and countries, leading to a well-informed subject and career focus.
Grade 11: Intensive Preparation and Application Planning
- Career and Course Finalization: Students finalize their target courses, countries, and entrance exams based on in-depth career counseling and college search tools.
- Profile Building and Mentorship: Workshops focus on personal narratives, essay writing, and mock applications to build strong, unique profiles.
- Internship Opportunities: Practical internships are aligned with career interests, providing firsthand field experience.
- Virtual College Visits: Interaction with college representatives, giving students insight into various college environments and application expectations.
Grade 12: Application Execution and Transition Support
- College Application Support: Students receive guidance on finalizing college lists, submitting applications, and writing personal statements and essays.
- Financial Aid Guidance: Information sessions and workshops assist families with financial aid applications and funding options.
- Interview Preparation and Alumni Interaction: Mock interviews and alumni guidance help students gain confidence and practical insights into the college process.
- Transition to College: Dedicated support for final college decision-making and transition, ensuring a smooth move from high school to college.
Unique Features of the UCC Program at Skill Stork International School
The UCC Program offers a holistic, personalized support system designed to guide students through each stage of their career and college journey. These features provide comprehensive resources, technology, and expert insights to help students make informed, confident choices.
One-on-One Counseling and Personalized Guidance
- Dedicated Counselors: Each student has access to a personal counselor who guides them through every step of the career planning and college application process, from grade 9 to grade 12.
- On-Demand Support: Counselors are available as needed, providing tailored advice and guidance based on individual strengths, interests, and goals.
- Data-Driven Insights: Assessments and analytics track student progress, enabling counselors to provide insights aligned with the student’s evolving profile.
AI-Driven Digital Platform for College Exploration
- Global College Database: A platform powered by AI connects students to over 30,000 colleges and universities worldwide, allowing them to explore a broad range of academic and career possibilities.
- College Comparison Tools: Students can compare colleges based on rankings, program offerings, scholarship opportunities, and more, ensuring well-researched decisions.
- Customized College Lists: AI tools generate personalized college lists that match student profiles, guiding them towards institutions that align with their goals.
i-Aspire Program for Real-World Exposure
- Professional Mentorship: Students interact with professionals from diverse fields, providing firsthand insight into day-to-day work and industry expectations.
- Shadowing Opportunities: Students observe professionals on the job, gaining valuable experience and understanding of various career fields.
- Internship Placements: Practical internships in grade 11 align with career interests, offering hands-on experience and skill development.
Workshops and Webinars for Skill Development
- Profile Building and Essay Writing Workshops: Specialized sessions help students build a strong personal profile, draft compelling personal statements, and improve writing skills essential for college applications.
- Virtual Fairs and College Symposiums: Events with college representatives and industry experts offer direct insights into college admissions, scholarship options, and career fields.
- Test Preparation Support: Students have access to workshops for PSAT, SAT, and other standardized exams to boost test performance.
Comprehensive College and Career Exploration Tools
- Career Discovery Assessments: Psychometric tests and career-matching tools help students discover fields aligned with their personality, strengths, and interests.
- Financial Aid and Scholarship Guidance: Regular workshops guide students and parents through financial aid and scholarship opportunities, including practical steps for applying.
- University Connect Events: Direct engagement with university representatives and alumni helps students gain real-world perspectives on college life and academic programs.
| University Expectation | How IBDP Prepares Students | Prepared? |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Excellence | Rigorous curriculum with Higher Level (HL) and Standard Level (SL) courses covering a broad range of subjects. | ✓ |
| Standardized Test Scores | Although IBDP does not include standardized tests, its exam-focused structure prepares students for such assessments. | ✓ |
| Extracurricular Activities | Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS) is a core component, ensuring active involvement in a variety of extracurricular activities. | ✓ |
| Relevant Experience | CAS, Extended Essay, and subject-specific projects allow students to explore real-world issues and gain relevant experience. | ✓ |
| Personal Statement or Essays | IB emphasizes strong writing skills through the Extended Essay and internal assessments, which prepare students for personal statements and essays. | ✓ |
| Letters of Recommendation | Schools offer recommendations, but the IBDP itself does not directly prepare for this aspect. | Optional |
| Communication Skills | TOK (Theory of Knowledge), presentations, group discussions, and essays help develop excellent written and verbal communication skills. | ✓ |
| Program Understanding | The IBDP fosters a deep understanding of global and local contexts through an interdisciplinary approach and reflective practices like TOK. | ✓ |
| Fit with University Criteria | The IB diploma is globally recognized, with subject flexibility and research skills making students highly adaptable to university criteria. | ✓ |
| Interview Performance | IB’s focus on critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication prepares students for interviews, especially in subject-specific knowledge. | ✓ |
| University Expectation | How A-Levels Prepare Students | Prepared? |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Excellence | Rigorous subject-based curriculum with in-depth study and high-level exams. | ✓ |
| Standardized Test Scores | Prepares students for exam-based assessments; supports readiness for university standardized tests. | ✓ |
| Extracurricular Activities | Encourages participation in sports, leadership roles, and clubs, but depends on student initiative. | ✓ |
| Relevant Experience | Coursework, internships, and projects may align with field of interest (subject to availability). | ✓ |
| Personal Statement or Essays | Encourages strong writing and reflection through coursework; assists with application essay prep. | ✓ |
| Letters of Recommendation | Not a specific part of the A-Level curriculum, but teachers can provide recommendations. | Optional |
| Communication Skills | Strong focus on written and verbal communication through essays, presentations, and discussions. | ✓ |
| Program Understanding | Allows deep focus on specific subjects, aligning with the student’s academic and career goals. | ✓ |
| Fit with University Criteria | Flexible subject choices help students align with university expectations for specialized fields. | ✓ |
| Interview Performance | Prepares students for subject knowledge interviews; schools may provide additional coaching. | ✓ |
| University Expectation | How CBSE Prepares Students | Prepared? |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Excellence | Strong emphasis on core academic subjects with a focus on theory and exam-based assessments. | ✓ |
| Standardized Test Scores | CBSE’s rigorous exam structure prepares students for competitive entrance exams like JEE, NEET, etc. | ✓ |
| Extracurricular Activities | Encouraged, but the extent of participation depends on the school; CBSE itself doesn’t mandate it. | Optional |
| Relevant Experience | Limited to classroom learning, though students may pursue internships or projects independently. | Optional |
| Personal Statement or Essays | CBSE does not specifically prepare students for personal statements; however, writing skills are emphasized in subjects like English. | Optional |
| Letters of Recommendation | CBSE schools may offer recommendations, but it is not a formal part of the curriculum. | Optional |
| Communication Skills | Focused on textbook learning and written exams, though language skills are developed through English and language subjects. | ✓ |
| Program Understanding | Prepares students for academic understanding in core subjects but lacks emphasis on interdisciplinary or applied learning. | ✓ |
| Fit with University Criteria | Well-aligned with Indian university requirements, but may require additional qualifications for international universities. | ✓ |
| Interview Performance | CBSE does not specifically prepare students for interviews, though schools may provide interview coaching if needed. | Optional |