Lesson Plan
Transition Talk Series Plan
In this 65-minute capstone session, students will critically evaluate post-graduation pathways—college, career, and apprenticeships—through discussions, alumni stories, debates, and reflective activities, building self-advocacy skills for informed decision-making.
Transitioning out of high school requires informed choices and self-advocacy. This lesson helps students understand diverse pathways, learn from alumni experiences, practice persuasive communication, and clarify personal priorities, equipping them to confidently plan their next steps.
Audience
12th Grade Class
Time
65 minutes
Approach
Interactive discussions, case studies, debates, and reflection activities.
Prep
Preparation
25 minutes
- Review the Life Beyond the Diploma Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with key talking points
- Read through the Alumni Success Stories Reading and annotate discussion prompts
- Print enough copies of the Pathway Pros & Cons Chart Activity for each student
- Prepare debate stations and distribute the College vs. Apprenticeship Debate Guide
- Create Exit Ticket slips using the Exit Ticket Priorities Cool-down template
Step 1
Introduction & Framing
5 minutes
- Welcome students and introduce today’s agenda
- Pose the question: “What are your top priorities after graduation?”
- Briefly review session objectives using the Life Beyond the Diploma Slide Deck
- Establish norms for respectful discussion
Step 2
Exploring Pathways
15 minutes
- Present key facts about college, career, and apprenticeship options via the slide deck
- Facilitate a guided Q&A: What appeals to you about each pathway?
- Record student insights on the board
Step 3
Alumni Stories Analysis
10 minutes
- Distribute the Alumni Success Stories Reading
- In pairs, have students read and identify skills and strategies alumni used to succeed
- Invite pairs to share one takeaway with the class
Step 4
Debate Activity
20 minutes
- Divide the class into two teams and provide the College vs. Apprenticeship Debate Guide
- Give teams 5 minutes to prepare arguments
- Conduct the debate: each side presents for 2 minutes, followed by rebuttals
- Debrief: What arguments resonated most? Any surprises?
Step 5
Pros & Cons Chart
10 minutes
- Hand out the Pathway Pros & Cons Chart Activity
- Students individually list at least two pros and cons for each post-secondary pathway
- Facilitate a brief share-out of top pros and cons
Step 6
Exit Ticket
5 minutes
- Distribute the Exit Ticket Priorities Cool-down
- Students rank their top three post-graduation priorities and write a brief rationale
- Collect exit tickets for assessment
Slide Deck
Beyond the Diploma
A capstone discussion series: Navigating College, Career & Apprenticeships
Welcome students to the capstone session. Briefly introduce yourself and the purpose of today’s discussion. Remind students to engage respectfully and think critically.
Session Objectives
• Compare three post-graduation pathways: college, career, and apprenticeships
• Learn from real alumni success stories
• Practice persuasive communication in a debate
• Reflect on personal priorities and goals
Read the objectives out loud. Emphasize self-advocacy and informed decision-making.
Today’s Agenda
- Exploring Pathways (15 min)
- Alumni Stories Analysis (10 min)
- College vs. Apprenticeship Debate (20 min)
- Pros & Cons Chart (10 min)
- Exit Ticket & Reflection (5 min)
Walk through the agenda and time allotments. Encourage students to watch the clock and stay on task.
Pathway Overview: College
• Academic degree programs (Associate’s, Bachelor’s)
• On-campus life, networking, and internships
• Financial aid, scholarships, and tuition costs
• Time commitment: 2–4 years
Highlight key benefits and considerations of pursuing college. Invite students to share quick examples if time allows.
Pathway Overview: Career
• Direct entry into the workforce
• Industry-recognized certifications or on-the-job training
• Immediate income and work experience
• Varies by field: tech, retail, hospitality, etc.
Discuss non-degree career paths, including certifications, entry-level jobs, and entrepreneurship.
Pathway Overview: Apprenticeship
• Paid, structured training under a mentor
• Combines classroom instruction and hands-on work
• Often leads to certification or journeyman status
• Common in trades: electrical, plumbing, culinary
Explain apprenticeships as a hybrid model. Encourage questions about earning while learning.
Alumni Success Stories
• Read real stories of recent graduates
• Identify key skills, strategies, and supports
• Discuss: What mindset helped them succeed?
Set up the reading activity: students pair up and review the handout. Prompt them to note strategies and mindsets used by alumni.
Key Discussion Questions
• Which pathway resonates most with you and why?
• What concerns do you have about each option?
• How can you advocate for yourself in planning?
Use these questions to guide a whole-class discussion or small groups. Record highlights on the board.
Debate Activity: College vs. Apprenticeship
• Team A: In favor of college
• Team B: In favor of apprenticeship
• Prepare (5 min), Present (2 min each), Rebuttal (1 min each)
• Debrief: What arguments shifted your thinking?
Introduce the debate structure. Remind teams of time limits and respectful rebuttals.
Pros & Cons Chart Activity
• Individually list at least two pros and cons for each pathway
• Use criteria like cost, time, career goals, lifestyle
• Be prepared to share one key pro/con
Explain how to fill out the chart. Encourage honesty and depth in listing pros and cons.
Exit Ticket: Top Priorities
• Rank your top three post-graduation priorities
• Write a brief rationale for each choice
• Submit before you leave
Distribute exit tickets. Emphasize clarity and brevity. Collect for quick assessment of student priorities.
Thank You & Next Steps
• Follow up with your counselor or mentor
• Explore more alumni stories: Alumni Success Stories Reading
• Keep reflecting on your priorities!
Thank students for their participation. Provide any next steps or resources (e.g., guidance office hours, alumni panels).
Reading
Alumni Success Stories
Maya: From Small Town to University Scholar
Maya grew up in a rural community where few classmates pursued higher education. Despite limited resources, she leveraged every opportunity: joining online study groups, attending summer bridge programs, and securing local scholarships. In college, Maya balanced a full course load with part-time research assistant work, developing strong time-management skills. She regularly met with academic advisors and joined peer-led tutoring sessions to reinforce difficult concepts. By her senior year, Maya had published a co-authored paper and landed a coveted internship at a nonprofit organization.
Key Strategies:
- Proactive outreach to mentors and advisors
- Structured weekly study routines
- Seeking financial support early (scholarships and grants)
Carlos: Launching a Career Without College
Carlos graduated high school interested in digital marketing but hesitant about student debt. He completed an accredited online certification in social media strategy and built a portfolio by managing social pages for local businesses. Carlos attended free workshops at a community tech hub and networked through LinkedIn, landing entry-level freelance gigs. He tracked his progress in a digital journal, reflecting weekly on metrics and client feedback to refine his approach. Within a year, Carlos secured a marketing coordinator position at a growing startup, where he continues to learn on the job.
Key Strategies:
- Targeted certification programs aligned to career goals
- Building real-world experience through side projects
- Continuous self-reflection and adaptation based on feedback
Avery: Building Trades Skills Through Apprenticeship
From an early age, Avery enjoyed hands-on work and chose an electrical apprenticeship after high school. She applied to a local union program, prepared for the aptitude test by practicing basic wiring diagrams, and crafted a concise cover letter highlighting her shop class projects. During her apprenticeship, Avery balanced paid on-the-job training with evening classes, keeping detailed notes on techniques and safety protocols. She also formed a study group with fellow apprentices, sharing tips and troubleshooting challenges together. After three years, Avery earned her journeyman certification and now mentors new apprentices in her program.
Key Strategies:
- Preparing thoroughly for program entry requirements
- Detailed note-taking and collaborative study practices
- Building peer support networks within the trade
Reflection Questions
- Which alumni strategy resonated most with you and why?
- How might you apply one of these skills (e.g., networking, time management, peer collaboration) to your own post-high school plan?
- What challenges do you foresee in your chosen pathway, and which alum’s approach could help you overcome them?
Discussion
Debate Guide: College vs. Apprenticeship
Objective
Help students articulate and defend the benefits and challenges of pursuing a traditional college degree versus an apprenticeship program.
Teams & Roles
- Team A: In Favor of College
- Team B: In Favor of Apprenticeship
Each team assigns:
• Speaker 1 – Opening statement
• Speaker 2 – Rebuttal & closing remarks
• Timekeeper – Monitors time limits
• Note-taker – Jots down key opponents’ arguments for rebuttal
Format & Timing
| Stage | Time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Preparation | 5 minutes | Teams strategize, assign roles, gather evidence |
| Opening Statements | 2 min/team | Speaker 1 presents main arguments |
| Rebuttals | 1 min/team | Speaker 2 addresses opponents’ points |
| Audience Q&A (optional) | 3 minutes | Class members pose questions to teams |
| Closing Statements | 1 min/team | Speaker 2 summarizes and reinforces stance |
| Debrief | 3 minutes | Reflect on strongest arguments & surprises |
Guided Question Prompts
- What are the short- and long-term financial implications of each pathway?
- How does time to workforce and earning potential compare?
- In which pathway is on-the-job experience more valuable?
- How do student debt and financial aid factor into your argument?
- What support networks (mentors, peers) exist in each option?
Scoring Rubric (Total: 20 Points)
| Criteria | Excellent (4) | Good (3) | Fair (2) | Needs Work (1) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarity & Organization | Clear, logical flow | Mostly clear | Somewhat organized | Disjointed |
| Evidence & Examples | Strong, varied evidence | Good evidence | Limited evidence | Lacks evidence |
| Rebuttal Strength | Direct & persuasive | Solid rebuttals | Weak rebuttals | No rebuttal |
| Teamwork & Participation | All contributed actively | Most contributed | Some contributed | One-sided |
| Time Management | Stays precisely on time | Minor overruns | Moderate overruns | Significantly over |
Total Score: ___ / 20
Tip for Teachers: Circulate during preparation to prompt deeper research and help students refine arguments. Encourage respectful tone and evidence-based claims.
Activity
Pathway Pros & Cons Chart
Instructions: List at least two pros and two cons for each post-graduation pathway. Consider factors such as cost, time commitment, career opportunities, work–life balance, and support networks.
| Category | College | Career | Apprenticeship |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro 1 | |||
| Pro 2 | |||
| Con 1 | |||
| Con 2 | |||
| Additional |
Reflection:
- Which pathway’s pros most align with your priorities?
- Which cons give you the most pause, and how might you address them?
- Based on this chart, what is your tentative next step in planning? Explain briefly.
Cool Down
Exit Ticket: Top Priorities
Instructions: Rank your top three post-graduation priorities and write a brief rationale for each choice.
- Priority #1:
Rationale: - Priority #2:
Rationale: - Priority #3:
Rationale: