Columbus graduates

Beyond High School

Your Choices After Graduation

At DUSD, it’s our goal for all students to graduate with a 21st Century education that ensures they are college and career ready, globally competitive and citizens of strong character. 

But one size doesn’t fit all. For some students, college is the logical next step of their journey while others are eager to leave the classroom and enter the working world. Explore your options with these resources.

College Information
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Career Information
DAS
Downey Adult School
Resume Help
Military Information

So You’re Thinking About College …

California Colleges

CaliforniaColleges.edu provides students with an all-inclusive guide for their college & career paths & enables educators to track their progress.
Visit CaliforniaColleges.edu

Community College Review

Learn about community colleges, find colleges, get financial aid help and college life tips.
Visit communitycollegereview.com

College Scorecard

Search and compare colleges: their fields of study, costs, admissions, results, and more.
Visit https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

map of california

California Community Colleges

Apply Online: CCC Online

Cerritos College

Visit cerritos.edu/

Cerritos Complete Program

Get 2 years of college for free.
Visit cerritos.edu

Coastline Community College

Located in Costa Mesa
Visit coastline.edu

Cypress College

Located in Cypress
Visit cypresscollege.edu

East LA City College

Located in Monterey Park
Visit www.elac.edu

El Camino College

Located in Torrance
Visit elcamino.edu

Fullerton College

Located in Fullerton
Visit fullcoll.edu

LA Trade Tech Community College

Located in Los Angeles
Visit lattc.edu

Long Beach Community College

Located in Long Beach
Visit lbcc.edu

Mt. San Antonio College

Located in Walnut
Visit mtsac.edu

Pasadena City College

Located in Pasadena
Visit pasadena.edu

Rio Hondo College

Located in Whittier
Visit riohondo.edu

Santa Monica College

Located in Santa Monica
Visit smc.edu

Downey Adult School

The Downey Adult School Career and Education Center (DAS), an institution of higher education, provides high-quality, relevant, and accessible programs for adults in a variety of areas.
Learn more about DAS
DAS Career and Education Center logo

Career Resources

The resources and links below can help you find a great career.

California CareerZone

Learn about yourself, the employment options available to you and the training that will prepare you for them.
Visit cacareerzone.org

California Conservation Corps

Learn skills, earn scholarships, make friends – the best year of your life!
Visit ccc.ca.gov

California Apprenticeship Coordinators Association

Apprentices not only learn occupational skills in the classroom, their learning is expanded to include hands-on, paid, on-the-job training!
Visit calapprenticeship.org

Long Beach Job Corps Center

No-cost education and career technical training program.
Visit longbeach.jobcorps.gov

Los Angeles Job Corps Center

Offering the skills you need to succeed in today’s workforce, at no cost to you or your family.
Visit losangeles.jobcorps.gov

US Bureau of Labor Statistics

Find out which careers are in demand.
Visit bls.gov

Tips for Creating Professional Resume

When you apply for a job, you will be asked to provide your resume. Here are some tips and resources to help you create a professional looking resume.

High School Resume Template

How to create a high school resume with examples: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/high-school-resume-template

More information: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/high-school-resume-tips

How to Make a Resume with the Microsoft Word Template

How to Make a Resume with Google Docs

Join the United States Military

Army – Navy – Air Force – Marines – Coast Guard

Are you thinking about joining the military after high school? You’re not alone, and there are many benefits to joining a branch of our military. However, it’s important to fully understand what you’re signing up for and what will be required of you for the contracted years you sign on.

future marine

Requirements

  • U.S. citizenship or lawful permanent resident with valid “green card”
  • Must be at least 17 years old (with parent permission) or 18+
  • Each branch of the military has a different enlistment age limit
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Must take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) test
  • Must pass a physical exam and meet weight limits

Steps to Enlist

  1. Contact a recruiter
  2. Report to a military entrance processing stations (MEPS)
  3. Await orders for basic training

U.S. Air Force (USAF)

  • Department of Defense
  • Aerial military operations

Website: www.af.mil

U.S. Army (USA)

  • Department of Defense
  • Major ground combat

Website: www.army.mil

U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)

  • Department of Homeland Security
  • Maritime law enforcement

Website: www.uscg.mil

U.S. Marine Corps (USMC)

  • Department of Defense
  • Supports other branches
    • Land, sea-based, and air-ground operations

Website: www.marines.mil

U.S. Navy

  • Department of Defense
  • Protects waterways outside of Coast Guard jurisdiction

Website: www.navy.mil

Ace the ASVAB

Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)

To join a branch of our military, you’ll need to take the ASVAB test. This timed test scores four areas: Arithmetic Reasoning, World Knowledge, Paragraph Comprehension, and Mathematics Knowledge. Your scores in these four areas will determine your eligibility to enlist in the military. Prep for the exam with practice ASVAB tests or learn more with these helpful resources.