November 6, 2025
Underclassmen Newsletter
November 13, 2025
Randolph Macon College
Where: Career Center
When: Lunch
Click here to sign up for the presentation
Freshman Year or Before
- Think about careers and college majors. What interests you?
- Set goals for yourself. Will you be trying for a top tier (most selective) college?
- Participate in activities (sports, clubs, hobbies) that interest you with an eye toward leadership.
- Keep up your grades and take the most challenging schedule you can (and get A's and B's).
- Freshman year counts and is important!
- Plan a challenging sophomore curriculum. Can you take one or more AP classes?
- Don't waste your summer. Do something that will enhance your future college applications.
Sophomore Year
- Take challenging classes and keep your grades up. Every year is important!
- Try the PSAT test early for practice and to see how you do. Use it to project your SAT scores.
- Take a career assessment test if one is offered. Are you getting some career ideas?
- Keep up the activities. Add some community service and volunteer work, and/or a paid job.
- Start to develop a preliminary list of target schools that you might consider.
- Plan a challenging junior curriculum. Can you take one or more AP class?
- Should you take any SAT Subject Tests this year? (Are you completing/peaking in any subject?
- Begin to develop a resume so you can identify where there might be some weaknesses.
- Plan a productive summer that will shore up some aspect of your future applications.
Junior Year
- Take challenging classes and keep your grades up. This is another important year!
- Take the PSAT and see how you do. Use it to project your SAT scores.
- Develop a plan for your standardized testing and how you will prepare.
- Keep up the activities. Add some community service and volunteer work, or a paid job.
- Think about what type of college feels right to you. What are your requirements?
- Have you thought about what you might major in? This can help you select colleges.
- Plan some college visits, at least to nearby ones. Do additional research on the internet.
- Refine your list of target schools and be sure they span the range of "safety" to "reach".
- Discuss with your parents whether there will be financial considerations and aid required.
- Organize a folder of any awards, honors, articles, experiences, etc. that you've had or received.
- Refine your resume and think about bolstering weak areas. Keep your activities going.
- What SAT's, ACT's, SAT Subject Tests and AP tests are appropriate for this year and when?
- Plan a productive summer that will shore up some aspect of your future applications.
https://www.ironworkers5.org/Maryland and U.S. Apprenticeship and Training Program - Apprenticeships combine supervised, structured, paid on-the-job training and related technical instruction to teach apprentices the skills necessary to succeed in a specific occupation. The apprentice works full time and receives training from the sponsoring organization:
- U.S. Apprenticeship and Training Program www.apprenticeship.gov
- MD State Apprenticeship and Training Program www.dllr.state.md.us/employment/appr/
- Baltimore DC Building Trades https://www.bdcbt.org/
- Boilermakers: Fabrication (and repairs) of steel, iron or copper into boilers. Local #45- Zone 193, (410) 355-2344 www.boilermakers.org
- Bricklayer: Laying and binding of building materials, such as brick, structural tile, concrete block, cinder block, glass block and terra-cotta block, with mortar and other substances to construct or repair walls, partitions, arches, sewers and other structures. Local #1, (240) 695-9463 http://www.bacweb.org
- Carpenters: Fabrication, building and installation of a variety of materials. KML Carpenters Local #197, (301) 736-1696
- Operating Engineers: Specializes in construction industry equipment operation including cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, front end loaders, hoists, and drills for highway construction, mining, utility work, excavation, etc. Local #77, (301) 283-3476 https://www.iuoelocal77.org/
- Millwrights: Install, erect, dismantle and clean heavy machinery, equipment and other heavy materials. Millwrights Local 219, (215) 569-255) http://www.easternmillwrights.com/
- Plasterers and Cement Masons: Work primarily with concrete and plaster materials to conduct the “finishing” work such as curbs, sidewalks, decorative molding, etc. Local #891, (202) 398-5859 http://www.opcmia.org
- Electricians and Telecommunications Technicians: Electricians install and repair the wiring that brings electrical power into any type of building or structure. Telecommunications install and repair the wiring for telecommunications (phone, cable, internet) into a building. Local #26, (301) 429-2575 www.ibewlocal26.org; http://www.getchargedup.org
- Elevator: Repair, install, maintain, and modernize systems that move us such as elevators, escalators, moving walkways, home lifts and wheelchair and handicap lifts. Local #10, (301) 459-0497 http://www.iuec10.org
- Heat and Frost Insulators: Installs, repairs, and maintains insulating material to prevent or reduce the passage of heat, cold, vapor, moisture, sound, or fire. Local #24, (301) 498-9162 http://www.insulators24.org
- Ironworkers: Construct and reinforce iron or steel components outlined in a structures plans. Local #5, (301) 599-0940 https://www.ironworkers5.org/
- Plumbers and Gasfitters: Install, remove, and maintain plumbing and gas systems for piped fixtures, fixed appliances and accessories. Local #5, (301) 552-3505 https://local5plumbers.org/
- Sheet Metal Workers: Designs, fabricates, installs, air balance, repairs, and alters sheet metal products. Local #100, (301) 5688655 ext. 3 http://www.smart100trainingcenter.org/
- Sprinkler Fitters: Sprinkler fitters are pipefitters who specialize in the repair and installation of sprinkler systems that help prevent the spread of fires in residential and commercial buildings. Local #669, (410) 312-5202 http://www.sprinklerfitters669.org/
- Steamfitters: Maintain, repair, assemble, and even create pipe and piping systems. Local #602, (301) 341-1555 www.steamfitters-602.org/