College and Career Center

Union Collegiate Academy

Welcome to the Catherine E. Burden College and Career Center
We are excited to help both you and your student navigate the sometimes confusing college and career process! 

August 16, 2012 - The Union Board of Education is proud to announce that the brand new Union Collegiate Academy College and Career Center shall be known as the Catherine E. Burden College and Career Center. See story

College and Career Advisors

• Christi Johnson 918-357-6302 College and Career Center
• Ashlee Lowry 918-357-6303 College and Career Center
• Judith Dickson 918-357-7606 9th Grade Center

Understanding yourself and choosing a career path

As you begin to plan for your next step after graduation, understanding your strengths and weaknesses along with your likes and dislikes is crucial. In addition to taking time to reflect on your goals for your adult life, you should begin planning for the type of post secondary training you will need to reach them. Visit the College Planning Guide section and learn more.

Learn About Yourself

• Values - What is important to you? Do you like working with others, or do you prefer working by yourself? Do you like working with your hands? Do you prefer variety or a familiar routine?
  
• Interests - What appeals to you? What do you enjoy? Do you like solving problems? What gets your attention?
  
• Aptitude - What are you good at doing? Are you good with words? Do you have artistic talent? Can you fix things?

A first step in deciding what to do after high school is to talk with a school counselor or teacher for advice. Take an aptitude test or interest inventory to determine your strengths and weaknesses and to discover potential career choices that are right for you.

One online tool that is available for all students and parents to help in this process is the Oklahoma Career Information System-OKCIS. This tool is funded by Tulsa Technology Center. Every student will be given a specific user name and password.

In addition, when you take the ACT, be sure and thoughtfully complete the included Interest Inventory (UNIACT). The results of this inventory will point you toward occupations that will be appropriate to your goals and personal characteristics.

Learn About Career Choices - See also Career Tech

One you've narrowed your career choices, talk to people who are working in that field or, if possible, find a part-time job in that field.

People who like their jobs (and even people who don't) are usually happy to talk about them. It's helpful to ask questions such as: "What's good and bad about this job?" Ask them how they learned their trade. There are many sources of career and job outlook information available--go to your school library, public library, or school counselor.

Consider Training

Today, some form of formal postsecondary education or training is required for almost every well-paying job. Consider how much training you will need for the career you've chosen.

• Work-related training - Work experience in a related occupation. Most of the occupations in this category are first-line supervisors or managers of service, sales and related, production, or other occupations; or are management occupations.
• Long-term on-the-job training - Occupations in this category generally require more than 12 months of on-the-job training or combined work experience and formal classroom instruction for workers to develop the skills necessary to be fully qualified in the occupation. These occupations include formal and informal apprenticeships that may last up to 5 years. Long-term on-the-job training also includes intensive occupation-specific, employer-sponsored programs that workers must complete. Among such programs are those conducted by fire and police academies and by schools for air traffic controllers and flight attendants. In other occupations—insurance sales and securities sales, for example—trainees take formal courses, often provided on the jobsite, to prepare for the required licensing exams. Individuals undergoing training generally are considered to be employed in the occupation. Also included in this category is the development of a natural ability—such as that possessed by musicians, athletes, actors, and other entertainers—that must be cultivated over several years, frequently in a non-work setting.
• Moderate-term on-the-job training - In this category of occupations, the skills needed to be fully qualified in the occupation can be acquired during 1 to 12 months of combined on-the-job experience and informal training. Examples are truckdrivers, heavy and tractor-trailer; and secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive.
• Short-term on-the-job training - In occupations in this category, the skills needed to be fully qualified in the occupation can be acquired during a short demonstration of job duties or during 1 month or less of on-the-job experience or instruction. Examples of these occupations are retail salespersons; and waiters and waitresses.

_{Source: The Department of Labor and Statistics}

Student Achievement

Union Public Schools is proud of the accomplishments of its student body! A tradition of excellence carries through all areas of school life, including academics, fine arts, spirit, athletics, leadership, and community service.

Whether in the classroom or community, on the playing field or in the concert hall, Union students shine in their pursuits, displaying not only talent but the benefits of discipline, team work, effort and commitment. Please visit our athletics and fine arts sections for achievements and recognitions in athletics, spirit and fine arts.

• Academic Scholars
• Community Service
• Distinguished Graduates
• Leadership Class
• Mr. & Miss Union
• National Merit Scholars
• Robert C. Byrd Scholars
• Seniors of the Month
• Test Scores

Biographies

 Christi Johnson is a graduate of Texas Tech University, earning her Bachelor of Science degree in education, and she holds a master’s degree in education from Northeastern State University.

Johnson joined Union in 2000 as a high school English and journalism teacher. Prior to coming to Union, Johnson taught at Jenks High School for 12 years and also taught in Texas for eight years. While at Jenks, she served on the executive board of the Oklahoma Association of Student Councils and was named the Warren E. Shull Advisor of the Year for the state of Oklahoma in1996.

Johnson served as English department head from 2006-2009 and was a part of the district’s literacy team. She was named District Teacher of the Year for Union in 2006. In 2009, she was chosen to direct the Union Collegiate Academy academic leadership program. In this program, Johnson coordinated presentations for students led by professors from Tulsa-area universities and Tulsa business professionals. She was named the Junior Achievement Educator of the Year for 2010-2011. She was named coordinator of the College and Career Center in 2011.