Thousands of Hawaiʻi public high school seniors will graduate in the upcoming weeks and enter the workforce or go on to college. For those still working out their plans, Hawaiʻi P-20 Partnerships for Education (Hawaiʻi P-20) and Hawaiʻi State Department of Education (HIDOE) have free help to choose a path for their future.
For the fifth straight year, the two institutions of education are teaming up to support every graduating public school student with the Summer Advising Program. Those who participate will be connected to a dedicated summer advisor who will provide one-on-one support to ensure that students complete the next steps towards their future plans. Students must sign up by May 31 by texting “nextsteps” to (808) 458-5550 or visiting nextsteps.hawaii.edu. Service dates will vary by high school between June 3, 2024 and July 12, 2024.
“The spring months for seniors are known to be a critical time for important decision making, and although some have made their commitments, we are aware that many students who graduate are still leaving high school feeling uncertain about their life plans,” said Lynsey Bow, counseling program director for Hawaiʻi P–20. “Access to advising support during the summer months ensures each student secures a plan and receives the necessary support to make informed decisions toward their immediate goal after high school.”
By participating in summer advising, advisors can help students explore all post-high school options which can include applying to college, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), connecting them to job training and certifications, updating resumes, and addressing any concerns students may have during this transition period.
The summer program began as an emergency response to the pandemic to assist the class of 2020. Since then, the program has supported more than 4,636 graduating HIDOE seniors and has proven to make an impact on our local graduates. With questions about the program, contact nextstep@hawaii.edu or visit nextsteps.hawaii.edu.
