One-on-One Coaching Script

Session Length: 30 minutes
Materials: Beyond High School Slide Deck, Self-Guided Research Plan, Plan Completion Rubric

1. Introduction & Rapport Building (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Hi [Student Name]! I’m really glad we have this time together. How are you feeling as graduation approaches?”

Teacher: “Thanks for sharing. What’s one thing on your mind when you think about ‘what comes next’ after high school?”

Teacher: “Today, we’re going to look beyond the traditional college route and explore apprenticeships, certifications, and direct job entry. By the end of our session, you’ll have a personalized plan with clear research steps and deadlines. Does that sound good?”

2. Pathway Overview (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s start with this slide: Beyond High School: Exploring Non-Traditional Pathways. You’ll see Apprenticeships, Certifications, and Direct Job Entry. Which of these three catches your eye first, and why?”

Teacher: “On the next slide, you see some top benefits: earning income while learning, lower costs, and faster career entry. Which benefit feels most valuable to you?”

Teacher: “Great. Now, let’s dive into Apprenticeships. An apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. You earn a wage and get credentials. What industries or trades excite you for that kind of hands-on learning?”

Teacher: “Next up: Certifications. These are credentials you earn by proving mastery in a specific skill—like CompTIA A+ for IT or Adobe Certified Associate for design. Do any tech or creative fields interest you for a quick, focused credential?”

Teacher: “Finally, Direct Job Entry means starting a role right out of high school—think administrative assistant, sales associate, or construction helper. Which entry-level roles feel realistic and appealing to you?”

Teacher: “Looking at this comparison slide—time commitments, costs, and focus—what stands out as a potential fit for your timeline and budget?”

3. Develop Your Research Plan (10 minutes)

Teacher: “Now let’s pull out the [Self-Guided Research Plan]. It has columns for Pathway, Action Steps, Timeline, and Resources. Let’s choose 3–5 pathways you want to investigate further. Which three are you most interested in?”

Teacher: “Perfect. List each pathway in the first column. For each one, let’s brainstorm at least two concrete research steps. For example: visit a program website, contact an industry mentor, or schedule a site visit. Write those in the second column.”

Teacher: “Next, let’s set realistic timelines. When will you complete each research step? Fill in your deadlines in the third column.”

Teacher: “Finally, what resources or people do you need? Websites, email contacts, phone numbers, school offices—list them in the last column.”

4. Goal Setting & Closure (5 minutes)

Teacher: “Let’s review your plan with the [Plan Completion Rubric]. I’m looking for clear steps, dates, and resources. Do you feel like anything is missing or unclear?”

Teacher: “Now, identify two to three actionable goals you can start immediately. For example: ‘By next Tuesday, email three apprenticeship coordinators’ or ‘By Friday, register for the online certification prep course.’ What goals will you set?”

Teacher: “Excellent. Our next check-in will be on [Date]. I’m excited to see your progress. Keep me posted if you hit any snags—and congratulations on taking these important steps!”

End of Script.

Self-Guided Research Plan

Use this template to map out 3–5 non-traditional pathways, concrete research steps, deadlines, and resources.

How to Use:

1. List each pathway you want to research in the first column.
2. Brainstorm two or more concrete research steps (e.g., visit website, schedule an info interview, request program materials).
3. Assign realistic deadlines for each action step.
4. Identify specific resources or contacts (websites, email addresses, phone numbers, school offices) you’ll need.

Add rows or notes as needed to capture all your research tasks. When you’re done, review your plan against the Plan Completion Rubric to ensure everything is clear and actionable.

Plan Completion Rubric

Use this rubric to review the completeness, clarity, and actionability of your Self-Guided Research Plan.

Scoring Guide:

• 4 (Exemplary): Plan is fully detailed, actionable, and ready to implement without further clarification.
• 3 (Proficient): Plan is clear and actionable but may need minor additions or adjustments.
• 2 (Developing): Plan shows intent but lacks detail in key areas; requires further work.
• 1 (Beginning): Plan is incomplete or unclear; significant revision needed.

Use this rubric to self-assess your plan before submitting it for review.