The document provides guidance and questions for students at a crossroads to help them determine their next steps after high school. It discusses pursuing higher education or a trade, and offers tips for overcoming roadblocks like financial barriers. Students are encouraged to seek advice from mentors such as parents, counselors, coaches and community leaders. Challenges like choosing between automobile mechanics and another trade are likened to crossing a bridge, with suggestions to gain experience in both fields through volunteer work. The overall message is to persevere toward one's goals and help others along the way.

1. The Sky is the
Limit!
There is something out
there…
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC
Donna Kinsey – A Differentiated Instruction Model
“A fundamental tenet of the differentiated model, is that teachers
must engage students” ( Subban et al., 2006, p. 941).

2. …for everyone.
Higher Education
Career Bound
Photos by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA CC BY-ND

3. Some things to
think about:
The road to success requires
travel. Remaining stagnant
will never get you to your final
destination. Caution! In your
travels you will likely
encounter a few roadblocks
along the way. There may also
be a few bridges that you
need to cross. These are called
“detours.” We can work
around them when we get to
them, but our journey starts at
the beginning.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

4. Pretend
you have reached a
crossroad, and you
are not sure which
way to turn. Here
are a few questions
you can answer that
may help point you
in the right
direction.
Your responses will
serve as your road
map.
• What do I plan to do
following high
school graduation?
• Work/College/Volun
teer?
• Is there a specific
trade that I would
be interested in
pursuing?
• What am I good at?
• What do I enjoy
doing?
• What are some of
my hobbies?
• Do I work better
alone or in groups?
• Where do I see
myself in 5 years?
• What steps do I
need to take to get
there?
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

5. • Now that you have answered the questions,
give some thought to who you can reach out to
that can offer you some suggestions on which
route you might take to help you reach your
destination.
• Who should I reach out to? Here are a few
suggestions:
• Parents and other family
members
• School counselors
• Coaches
• Community leaders
• Other mentors
MENTORS
“men·tor
/ˈmenˌtôr/
noun
1. An experienced and
trusted adviser:”
("Yahoo Powered By Oxford Dictionary", n.d.).

6. Caution! Roadblock
Ahead
Roadblock:
I want to continue my
education, but I cannot afford
to pay for college!
• Consider attending an
accredited community
college or junior college
first. It will likely be more
affordable, and credits
earned at a community
college may be applied
towards higher degrees.
• Research financial aid,
government grants,
scholarship opportunities,
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

7. Caution! Bridge
Crossing
Bridge Crossing:
I want to pursue a career
in the trade industry, but
I cannot decide between
two trades.
I am interested in
automobile mechanics,
but I also enjoy
• No problem! Consider
getting a part-time
summer job and start
saving cash!
• Research reputable auto
repair and paint and body
shops and request to
volunteer part-time for at
least one month at each
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

8. Now that you have determined which way to go. Don’t
stop!You are on your way to reaching your destination. If
you stumble along the way, that’s ok, as long as you get
back up and keep going!
If you find that you need help along the way, reach out to
your MENTORS!They will always be there to support you!
You are almost there! Need a little pick-me-up? Here is a bit
of trivia that encouraged me to keep moving forward:
Search for the white arrow hidden in the Fed Ex Logo
below. Did you find it? Hint: Look closely between the
“E,” and the “X.”There it is…and the arrow is always
pointing forward. Use this exercise as a reminder to
stay on track and keep moving forward!
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

9. Congratulations!
You made it! Now that
you have crossed the
finish line and reached
your destination,
remember to help
mentor others along the
way.
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-SA
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

10. “The harder the
climb, the more
rewarding the
view.”
-Caribou Coffee
This Photo by Unknown Author is licensed under CC BY-NC

11. References
Subban, P. (2006). Differentiated instruction: A research basis. International Education Journal, 7(7), .
https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ854351.pdf
Wahaltere, M. (2021). Foursquare city guide. https://foursquare.com/v/caribou
coffee/4c11649517002d7fff21e609
Yahoo powered by oxford dictionary. (n.d.).
https://search.yahoo.com/search?fr=mcafee&type=E211US1250G0&p=mentors
Note: All images were obtained from On-line Pictures – Creative Commons, Fair Use
https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nd/3.0/