Counseling Center

Ketchikan High School

Room 221

Office Hours: 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

(907) 225-9815

ALTERNATIVE OPPORTUNITIES

Class Act mentors learning a game during Training Day.

These are just a sampling of the programs that exist for high school aged students. Many of the opportunities listed here are intended for "gap year" or "13th year" students, but some of them also offer programs for students who are still enrolled in high school, or for those who never completed high school. Any students who don't have concrete plans for after graduation should seriously consider some of these options. After participating in this type of program, students typically find that they have gained insight and maturity that will help them make important decisions about their future, all while having the adventure of a lifetime. These programs also look great on a resume or college application, so don't worry about taking a little time off for yourself!

Americorps	For students who want to go to college or a job training program, but just not yet, Americorps is a great opportunity to earn money for college, gain job experience, travel, and hang out with friends for a year before making important higher education decisions. Plus, it looks great on a resume or application. Programs exist all over the country doing everything from disaster relief to stream restoration to aiding in after-school programs, and participants have fun while making the world a better place. This is an opportunity that everybody should take advantage of at least once in their lives.
NCCC	The National Civilian Community Corps serves nationwide providing disaster relief, tutoring children, building low-income homes, helping preserve the environment, and helping communities meet their challenges. Members serve on teams of 10–12 individuals ages 18-24 and these teams are dispatched throughout their regions as needed, whether to distribute food after a natural disaster, to help out in an under-resourced school, or to rebuild a trail in a national park. There are 5 NCCC campuses: Charleston, SC; Denver, CO; Sacramento, CA; Perry Point, MD; and Washington, D.C. Housing, food, and travel expenses are covered by the program, but living with the same 10 people for 11 months can be trying on even the most mature and dedicated individuals. On the other hand, NCCC is a well-respected organization that looks fantastic on a resume and allows participants to travel around the country and have great experiences for free!
City Year	A program for students 17-24 to serve a community for 11 months. Programs exist in Boston, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbia, Columbus, Detroit, Little Rock, New Hampshire, New York, Philadelphia, Rhode Island, San Antonio, San Jose, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., so no matter where you want to travel there is a City Year nearby. Corps members organize and execute dozens of large-scale community service projects including: building libraries, painting murals, planting trees, cleaning up neighborhoods, protecting the environment, running day camps, organizing and leading student clubs, tutoring and mentoring children, and participating in community theatre. There are also ample opportunities for corps members to receive leadership and career direction training. These include career panels, where community leaders often present interesting topics of discussion and corps members can learn about different career opportunities, job shadowing opportunities, and connections with organizations and mentors in the community. Housing is not provided at most sites, however many City Year participants join from out of town and often rent an apartment together. Application deadline is April 15, early action deadline is February 15.
Conservation Corps/Youth Corps (Excel document)	Conservations Corps or Youth Corps are typically programs for 17-24 year olds who want to work outdoors and gain practical experience while earning money for college. Projects may include stream restoration, trail construction, search & rescue, disaster relief, flood control, goose banding, forest inventory, fire fighting, and countless other outdoor service activities. Most youth corps have programs where members live in tents in wilderness areas for 1 to 6 weeks at a time, and almost all programs are physically demanding. Members typically travel throughout the state or region in which they are working and work on a variety of projects gaining skills in firefighting, chainsaw operation, emergency response, estuarine ecology, salmon ecology, etc., and often gain certifications in CPR, WFR (Wilderness First Responder), WAFA (Wilderness Advanced First Aid), CERT (Community Emergency Response Team), GIS/GPS, and various levels of firefighting. Many programs also provide G.E.D. testing, high school credit, or college credit. Some of these organizations will have participants living at campsites or a bunkhouse for the whole time, others only provide accommodations for weekdays, and some- have no residential component at all, so you would probably need to bunk with friends or family in the area if room and board is not provided.
NOLS (National Outdoor Leadership School)	NOLS is a non-traditional school that offers college credit for semester-long programs, but students never step foot in a classroom. Expeditions explore wilderness areas in Alaska, Australia, India (Himalayas), Mexico (Baja), New Zealand, Pacific N.W., Patagonia (Chile), Rocky Mountains, Wind River Range (WY), Southwest, Teton Valley, and the Yukon (Canada) and programs range from 2 weeks to a semester long, although college credit is only granted for the semester long programs.
Outward Bound	Outward Bound is not technically a school, but college credit is available through partner universities for certain expeditions. Programs explore Alaska, California, Florida, Maine, Oregon, Washington, Massachusetts, Southwest, Mid-Atlantic, Northern Lakes (Canada), Bahamas, Caribbean, Europe, Mexico, and South America and the expeditions can range from 2 days to a semester in length. The main activities include: backpacking, canoeing, canyoneering, desert backpacking, dogsledding, mountaineering, rafting, rock climbing, sailing, sea kayaking, skiing, and snowboarding. Outward Bound is slightly cheaper than NOLS, but because it is not a school educational loans are not available as they are through NOLS
SEA Link, Inc.	SEA Link, Inc. works with all age groups placing them in training programs that qualify them to work jobs at sea as Merchant Marines. Upon completion, graduates are guaranteed high paying jobs plus a full benefit package. Jobs are located aboard U.S. Flagged Oil Tankers, Cargo Freighters, Ocean Going Tugboats, Military Support Vessels, etc. Positions are unlicensed Coast Guard documented entry-level, with ample opportunity to upgrade in rating and salary range. SEA Link, Inc. will help you not only qualify but we will help PAY your way. We help pay for your travel costs, physicals, drug tests, clothing, dental work, passports, and more, if you qualify.
Center for INTERIM Programs	This center offers individuals of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to explore different areas of interest via a personally tailored, experience-based format.
The Student Conservation Association	Preserve the environment and gain new skills and experience with federal resource agencies including the National Park Service, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and the U.S. Geological Survey. Most SCA positions work directly with park or agency professionals in rewarding, meaningful, hands-on conservation positions. All positions are expense-paid and tuition free. Programs run from three to twelve months and include positions with conservation corps, conservation crews, and internships.
Youth For Understanding	Study abroad, not as a tourist, but as a member of a family. YFU offers over 100 programs in over 30 countries, including their popular 13th year abroad program. Whether you are unsure of what the future holds for you or you just want to go on an adventure before you go to college or start working full time, studying abroad is the opportunity of a lifetime.
Alaska Job Corps	For Alaska residents between the ages of 16 and 24 Job Corps offers a G.E.D., employability skills, and career development skills. Certifications are available in Culinary Arts, Water/Wastewater Treatment, Computer Repair, Child Development, Health Occupations, Carpentry, Heavy Equipment, Facilities Maintenance, Electrician, and Business Technologies
Rotary Youth Exchange	As a Rotary Youth Exchange student, you will spend a year, or perhaps just an extended period of time, living with a host family in a country other than your own. You may learn a new language; you will learn a new way of living and a great deal about yourself. But there's more. While you are busy learning, the people you meet will be learning as well — about your country, culture, and ideas. You will be an ambassador. You will be helping to bring the world closer together, and you'll be making good friends in the process.
Experiment in International Living	The Experiment in International Living offers dynamic summer programs for high school students in over 25 countries around the world. International summer high school programs feature opportunities in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Oceania, and Asia. For three to five weeks, students focus on themes such as community service, language study, travel, peace studies, ecology, the arts, or outdoor adventure as they travel with their host families and participate in activities with their group.
School for Field Studies: Environmental Field Studies Abroad	As environmental problems go increasingly more urgent, so must our commitment to finding solutions. SFS students work together with host communities around the world to learn real environmental problem-solving skills.
Global Quest	This program is for students deferring college for a year and looking for an educational adventure that will make a huge difference in their lives. Programs visit Thailand or Ecuador and have a strong, individualized educational component.
Seamester	If you are considering spending a semester at sea as part of your continuing education or a gap year, and are looking for a hands-on learning experience that incorporates marine science, practical seamanship, professional development, leadership and communication training, then consider studying abroad for a semester at sea with Sea-mester and Ocean-mester.
United Planet	United Planet Volunteer Quests , including both short-term (1-12 week) and long-term (6 and 12 month) programs expand cross-cultural understanding and friendship by providing unique opportunities to work together with the local people in teams on important causes vital to their country, such as education, healthcare, environmental conservation, housing, disabilities, and more.
Lifelong Education Alternatives & Program (LEAPNow)	1. 3-months of group study & travel in India, Central America (Costa Rica & Guatemala) or Thailand/Bali 2. 3-month individual internship in a country of your choice - choose from hundreds of diverse options 3. 2 months on retreat in the U.S. developing integrity, conscious community, emotional literacy and a positive vision for your life 4. Formal rites of passage into adulthood 5. A full year of college credit (24 semester credits) Here's a good hub site with information about finding jobs.