Counseling / College & Career
High School Counseling
Personnel are available to parents/guardians and students including school counselors, school psychologists, student assistance counselors, nurses, special education teachers and paraprofessionals, speech and language pathologists, reading consultants, and administrators. Math and Reading remediation are offered to students based on state and district assessments.
College & Career Center
The College & Career Center helps students prepare for their lives after high school in several areas:
- College and trade school options
- Military careers
- GAP year programs
- Career planning
- Testing information (SAT, ACT, PSAT, PreACT, ASVAB)
- Part-time jobs and community service opportunities
- Annual events, including college visits, alumni panels (for 11th and 12th graders), Trades Week, and career fairs (for 10th graders).
College & Career of the Week!
College
New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT)
The New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) is a public university located in Newark, New Jersey, approximately 20 minutes outside of New York City. Founded in 1881 as a commuter school, NJIT currently serves 13,000 students who enroll in over 122 degree programs within 6 schools and colleges. Some unique majors include cyberpsychology, business with a concentration in sports analytics, digital design, and interior design. NJIT offers great services to both resident and commuter students with many activities and organizations to choose from. The “Highlanders” sponsor 19 NCAA Division 1 athletic teams who compete in the America East Conference. Annual tuition for out-of-state students is $37,664 (2024-2025). Dorm rooms and meal plans will add about $15,650 per year for a grand total of $53,314.00 per year. To learn more about NJIT, visit their admissions website, check out their quick facts OR watch this brief video here.
Career
Forensic Science Technicians
“Forensic science technicians aid criminal investigations by collecting and analyzing evidence”, (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2023). Forensic science technicians generally work in an office or laboratory setting. They sometimes visit crime scenes to gather evidence, perform testing on items gathered and write reports outlining their findings. A bachelors’ degree is usually required to enter the field and additional training will likely be required. Expected job growth is much faster than average at 14% through 2033 and the average annual salary is $64,940 (BLS, 2023). To learn more, please visit the following websites: the American Academy of Forensic Science, the American Society of Crime Laboratory Directors, and the Association of Forensic Quality Assurance Managers.
Upcoming Events
Please visit the full calendar to see more college representative visits, college & career fairs, volunteer opportunities and more.
- CC Team & Contact
- Career Resources
- College Resources
- Programs & Senior Internship
- Working Papers, Community Service & Volunteering
CC Team & Contact
Contact the College & Career Center
Phone: (203) 397 - 4836 | Fax: (203) 392 - 2078
FOR College Representatives
FOR Students
Career Resources
Alternative Career Pathways
ASVAB Testing
Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
The ASVAB is a standardized test that reveals areas of strength and ability in science, math, language and vocational skills. Taking the test is one of the first steps when considering a military career (enlisting in the military). However, many high school students take the ASVAB to learn about their own strengths and skills, and to assist with career exploration. Taking this test does NOT obligate you to enlist!
Amity Regional High School offers the ASVAB twice per school year - once in the fall and once in the spring. Military personnel and/or civilian testing staff visit our school to administer the test. This online test usually lasts about 2 to 2.5 hours.
NOTE - 9th-grade students are NOT eligible to take this test
Stop by the Career Center to pick up a FREE booklet with more information.
Register for the Test
Career Search Resources
Career videos organized by 16 career clusters. SIte is sponsored by the US Department of Labor
Information about learning career skills through apprenticeship programs.
Career exploration tool sponsored by the US Department of Labor
Specific job info separated into the 16 career clusters.
CT State Colleges & Universities
(excluding UCONN) - Search engine that determines which CT public colleges and universities have the programs you’re looking for. Includes the 12 CT Community Colleges and Charter Oak College (online).
Career Day Videos
Please take the time to watch a few of the videos listed below. While our featured alumnis' careers may be different, they all share a passion for their chosen professions. We hope that as you explore career options, their stories will inspire and assist you in finding your career path.
Thank you to the following students who volunteered to interview our alumni:
- Samantha Hass, '21
- Ben Martin, '21
- Jacob Silbert, '21
- Nicole Grosso, '22
- Ryan Lima, '22
- Del Lee, '22
- Audrey Marin, '22
Additional thanks to Paula Vallie, Shaun DeRosa, and ALL of our interviewees for making the time for this project!
Lynn Cocco,
College & Career Counselor
Career Day Videos
- Eric Burns - Airline Pilot - Friend of Amity HS
- Jessica Ayala - Attorney - Class of 2004
- Ali Kramer - Business Development/Sales - Class of 2012
- Amber DeGoursey - CRNA Nurse Anesthetist - Class of 2009
- Cara Slugaski - Dental Student - Class of 2012
- Joseph Greenspun, PhD. - Bioelectronic Engineer - Class of 2008
- Adam Hill - Executive Chef - Class of 2006
- Brian Earley - Firefighter - Class of 2018
- Michael Bhatt - Gameplay Programmer - Class of 2009
- Rob Rosner - High School Teacher - Class of 2012
- Kevin Russell - HVAC Technician - Class of 2012
- Emma Platoff - Journalist/Political Reporter - Class of 2013
- Ray Veronneau - Medical Science Liaison/Sr. Pharmacist - Class of 2012
- Lauren Sasso - Middle School Teacher - Class of 2007
- Nick Platoff - Musician/Trombonist - Class of 2010
- Mary Kate Cornell - Paralegal/Food Marketing - Class of 2009
- Dakota Kelly - Physical Therapist - Class of 2014
- Katie Yanagisawa - Pediatrician - Class of 2007
- Alex MacNamara - Police Officer - Class of 2014
- Rebekah Stein, PhD. - Postdoctoral Researcher/Earth Science - Class of 2010
- Ian Dardik - Sr. Software Engineer - Class of 2010
- Noah Safian - Investment Logic Engineer - Class of 2013
- Jessica Malinconico - Sports Marketing Coordinator/ESPN - Class of 2012
- Ryan Laemel - Team Leader/EVs & Alternative Energy - Class of 2010
- Andrew Teitelman - Video - Film Editor/ESPN - Class of 2012
Eric Burns - Airline Pilot - Friend of Amity HS
Jessica Ayala - Attorney - Class of 2004
Ali Kramer - Business Development/Sales - Class of 2012
Amber DeGoursey - CRNA Nurse Anesthetist - Class of 2009
Cara Slugaski - Dental Student - Class of 2012
Joseph Greenspun, PhD. - Bioelectronic Engineer - Class of 2008
Adam Hill - Executive Chef - Class of 2006
Brian Earley - Firefighter - Class of 2018
Michael Bhatt - Gameplay Programmer - Class of 2009
Rob Rosner - High School Teacher - Class of 2012
Kevin Russell - HVAC Technician - Class of 2012
Emma Platoff - Journalist/Political Reporter - Class of 2013
Ray Veronneau - Medical Science Liaison/Sr. Pharmacist - Class of 2012
Lauren Sasso - Middle School Teacher - Class of 2007
Nick Platoff - Musician/Trombonist - Class of 2010
Mary Kate Cornell - Paralegal/Food Marketing - Class of 2009
Dakota Kelly - Physical Therapist - Class of 2014
Katie Yanagisawa - Pediatrician - Class of 2007
Alex MacNamara - Police Officer - Class of 2014
Rebekah Stein, PhD. - Postdoctoral Researcher/Earth Science - Class of 2010
Ian Dardik - Sr. Software Engineer - Class of 2010
Noah Safian - Investment Logic Engineer - Class of 2013
Jessica Malinconico - Sports Marketing Coordinator/ESPN - Class of 2012
Ryan Laemel - Team Leader/EVs & Alternative Energy - Class of 2010
Andrew Teitelman - Video - Film Editor/ESPN - Class of 2012
College Resources
Acceptance Days & Representative Visits
ON-SITE ACCEPTANCE DAYS at ARHS
Local colleges will visit ARHS THIS FALL for admissions appointments. Applicants receive a decision from the college at this time!
In order to participate, seniors MUST submit their application to the college at least two weeks before our scheduled event.
Representative Visits
Seniors & Juniors - Register for your favorite colleges by signing up on Schoolinks! Click on “events” to find a complete list of colleges. This year we will limit each student to no more than 8 visits.
Admissions & AP Testing
Financial Aid
Scholarships
Scholarship Info
Below is a list of scholarships that were offered last year. As these become available we will change the due dates for this upcoming year. If you need assistance with the application process, please see Mrs. Vallie or Mrs. Cocco in the Career Center.
Students are also encouraged to contact local civic organizations, religious affiliations and libraries for possible scholarship opportunities. Contact your state department of education for information regarding state scholarships and grants.
The NEW 2024-2025 scholarships will become available December. through April, so please check back!
Programs & Senior Internship
- Advanced Placement
- College & High School Partnership Programs
- Independent Study Program
- Gap Year
- Peer Tutoring Program
Advanced Placement
A program of college-level courses and examinations are available to qualified students in grades 11 and 12. More than 90% of the nation's colleges and universities offer advanced placement standing to students whose AP exam grades are considered acceptable. Success on four or more exams may result in one year of college credit.
For more information on Advanced Placement please visit:
www.collegeboard.com
For more information on Advanced Placement please visit:
www.collegeboard.com
College & High School Partnership Programs
Independent Study Program
Juniors and seniors may apply for the Independent Study Program. Pending approval of a faculty/student committee, the student has the opportunity to do an in-depth study in an area of interest under the supervision of a faculty sponsor.
Independent study projects cannot overlap or duplicate material already offered in the high school curriculum. They also cannot be used to fulfill a graduation requirement.
Students may do an independent study for a half or full year. Honors credit is awarded for successful completion of the project. Applications for this program are available through the Guidance Department.
Gap Year
Peer Tutoring Program
Amity's Peer Tutoring program will be running their Homework Help Center every Tuesday and Thursday starting on Tuesday, September 17th. It is drop in style and provides a structured environment to complete homework or get support from a peer tutor. Snacks will be provided. Students can also request a one to one peer tutor.
UELP / Senior Internship
Working Papers, Community Service & Volunteering
Community Service & Volunteer Opportunities
Amity High School offers a community service incentive for all students. Students who complete and document 100 hours of community service hours over their 4 years at Amity High School will receive a diploma of distinction and an honor cord on the day of their graduation.
If you are interested in volunteering throughout the school year, please stop by the Career Center to see a variety of volunteer opportunities posted on our community service bulletin board or visit our school website here.
Copies of blank community service forms are available online and also in the Career Center. For questions, please email Paula Vallie at paula.vallie@amityregion5.org
Working Papers & Employment Postings
STUDENTS
The greater Amity community offers part-time job opportunities for students throughout the school year. To learn more about these opportunities, please visit the College & Career Center and speak to staff, OR view the window by our door for recent postings.
Please note that the Amity Regional School District #5 has not conducted any review or background checks of these employment opportunities. Students should consult with their parents/guardians before deciding to pursue any of these opportunities.
EMPLOYERS
For community members who wish to post local part-time job opportunities, please contact Paula Vallie at 203-397-4836 or email the information to paula.vallie@amityregion5.org.