Changing futures: The College and Career Center aids students in making life choices

Starting as early as freshman year, students begin feeling the pressure to decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives. This understandably leaves many feel overwhelmed. Luckily, OH has the College and Career Center, run by the center’s director Tracy Kroger and her interns, to assist all students. 

“There are people who have things all together … and there are people who have no idea. And both of those are okay … and so coming here [makes you feel] like being a part of everybody else,” says Kroger. 

The College and Career Center is open to all students: freshmen to seniors. Many days a week, the center holds special events to assist with career options.

According to Kroger, these special events include “college visits, Find your Future Friday, Military Monday, and FAFSA Thursdays.” Additionally, there are “juicy conversations,” added her intern and OH senior Wed Mueen. 

The events are varied, including different large universities, small colleges, trade schools, and cosmetology schools. These events have significantly helped numerous students discover their plan after high school. 

“With the scholarships [offered], I had an eye to so many [schools], and I’m so glad that I’m here because I have so many scholarships, and now I get to go to college for almost for free,” said OH senior Jwairya Abouhaiba, another College and Career Center intern. 

Although this space provides a multitude of resources, many students are unaware that it exists and of the opportunities it provides. 

“I feel like [OH doesn’t] talk about the little programs that they have,” said OH freshman Natalie DesVeaux. 

A countless number of students feel lost in what to do for their future, unaware that they can just walk right through those doors to find out. 

“I didn’t know about it that much,” said Abouhaiba. “I mean, I knew where the room was. I just never came in here because I thought it was only a senior thing.”

Now, this center has aided her significantly, with the help of Kroger. 

“Miss Kroger is the advisor in the College and Career Center. She assists students in finding the path, whether it’s finding the path that works for them,” said Mueen. “She’s a person here to just spark a conversation with, to get your brain … thinking of your future.”

As thinking of one’s future can be daunting, talking out the options with someone like Kroger can be of significant benefit, and as one of the center’s interns, Mueen sees this benefit.

“[Miss Kroger] helps out by running all our college visits, writing passes, finding students who have interests in things that are specific to that college,” Mueen added. “And then she also sends out passes for FAFSA. She calls people down to make sure they’re on top of it. And scholarships… and community service.”

Not only does Kroger do all the planning, but she also builds connections with the students to truly give them the help they need. 

“She got me a video message thing with DePaul, and they told me all my scholarships… and they told me that I can get more scholarships,” said Abouhaiba. 

She helps with post-high-school planning stresses, but also with everyday life. 

“Just come in,” Kroger simply said. “Any questions about anything, like any way that I can support you, let me know, whatever that looks like.”

The interns have gained much experience that has allowed them to help others as well. Interning is open to all juniors and seniors; they can talk to Kroger and to their counselors about it if they are interested.

“It’s such a firsthand experience and not even just like knowing what college you want to do, but like, interning is also such a great experience for like, in the real world, you know? Like, I’ve just gained so much knowledge about everything,” said Abouhaiba.

Overall, although the College and Career Center may not be well-known, it is a useful resource that has undoubtedly changed the future of many students. 

“It’s such a great opportunity, and Miss Kroger is the bomb,” said Abouhaiba simply.