HCPSS How Can I Prepare for After High School?

NextStep HCPSS Career Readiness Advising

HCPSS Career Cluster Road Maps

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Do you have a general idea of what you may want to do in the future? HCPSS offers coursework for every single career cluster so that you can both explore or expand you knowledge base in order to prepare for that career path. Take a look at the opportunities available to you using Road Maps to your future.

HCPSS Career Cluster Road Maps

Advanced Manufacturing

Agriculture

Arts, Media, & Design

Construction

Digital Technology

Education

Energy & Natural Resources

Financial Services

Healthcare and Human Services

Hospitality, Events, & Tourism

Management & Entrepreneurship

Marketing & Sales

Public Services & Safety

Supply Chain & Transportation

High School Course Catalogs

As a student progresses through high school their career readiness journey continues through coursework that allows students to continue career exploration or begin career training and preparation. A comprehensive overview of all high school approved coursework can be found in the catalog below.

HCPSS Course Catalog 2026-2027

Catálogo de cursos aprobados de escuelas secundarias 2025-2026

승인된 고등학교 교과과목 카탈로그 2025-2026

高中课程目录 2025-2026

(2026-2027 Language Updates Coming Soon)

College Preparation

Howard County Public Schools offers a robust, in house college preparation curriculum through the combined offerings of AP Courses and JumpStart (Dual Enrollment) coursework through Howard Community College.

Advanced Placement Resources:

Advanced Placement Exam Logos

College Board - Info on PSAT, SAT, AP, etc.. Dates, resources, public released free response questions, practice exams

AP Students - All the info related to the AP exams, dates, scores, credit, blog, exam specific pages

AP Classroom - Register for exams, course materials, practice exams

JumpStart / Dual Enrollment Resources:

Jump Start Dual Enrollment logo

General Information:

General Information
2024-2025 JumpStart Info Page
JumpStart Quick Reference Guide w/ FAQs
Program Pathways (including AA Degrees in HS)

Application and Registration Information:

Full JumpStart Registration Procedures
How to Fill Out an HCC Application
Detailed HCC Application Instructions
How to Set Up a myHCC User Account
How to Finalize Registration for HCC (CAMPUS BASED SECTION)
How to Access Your HCC Transcript
International Student Application

Registration and Advising:

HCC Pop-In Advising

Career Preparation

Howard County Public Schools also offers prolific career preparation programs through in-house Career Academies, the Applications and Research Laboratory (ARL), and a growing Youth Apprenticeship program.

Career Academies

"A Career Academy offers high school students with similar interests a unique opportunity to prepare for college and entry-level employment in the specific career areas listed below. Each Career Academy offers a recommended sequence of courses, internships, capstone project, or research project related to students' career goals, and the opportunity to earn college credit and/or industry certification while in high school."

In Building Career Academies

ARL Career Academies

Aerospace Engineering
Agricultural Science
Animation and Interactive Media
Architectural Design
Automotive Technology
Biotechnology
Civil Engineering
Construction
Cybersecurity Networking
Finance
Graphic Design
Health Professionals
Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning (HVAC)
JROTC - only at AHS, HoHS, OMHS

Youth Apprenticeships (Apprenticeship Maryland)

Apprenticeship Maryland is a graduation pathway for seniors, who are interested in employment and further education in a career pathway.

Students participating in the Apprenticeship Maryland Academy will earn a salary while learning valuable and marketable industry skills. The program includes a combination of on-the-job training and one year of industry related classroom instruction. Students interview with Maryland Department of Labor (DOL) approved employers for an opportunity to participate in a paid supervised, structured, on-the-job training program.

AMP Overview

Additional Resources:

March2Future Webinars - See the list of upcoming (and recorded webinars) that touch on such High School Career Readiness topics such as the College Application Process, College Admission, Financial Aid, Post-High School Pathways, and Career Cluster oriented Career Panels.

Career Cluster Monthly Spotlight - Check out resources related to the Monthly Career Cluster Spotlights

Additionally, each high school employs a Careers Team to support Blueprint Pillar #3. The purpose of this careers team is to strategically engage with the school community to leverage internal and external resources to provide expanded career-centered opportunities for students. The Career Readiness Advisor will take a leadership role in designing and implementing action items, working collaboratively with a number of school-based stakeholders as needed.

If you have a specific need, suggestion, idea, or want to get involved, please contact the Career Readiness Advisor associated with your school. A full list of Career Readiness Advisors can be found here.

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