Navigating Life's Choices After High School: Success Guide

Navigating Life’s Changes

After High School:

Success Guide

Authors:

Debraca Russell MBA CPCC

Contributing Authors:

Allison Nasche

Javed Morgan

Zaneta Ellison LMHC

Copyright © 2021 Debraca Russell MBA CPCC

All rights reserved.

ISBN: 978-1-63821-577-6

Special thanks go out to the students

who graciously modeled for the cover of this book:

Chainey, Darvin, Max and Riselle.

Denise Thomas, Editor & Founder of

Carved Out Divas Mentorship Program

Denise Thomas, I thank you for not quitting after 5 million edits for this resource guide. Your patience and resilience have been instrumental in creating such a solid book. You understood the importance of getting it right the first time. You are truly appreciated!

As a teacher and a community advocate Denise is always making her voice heard by better things around her. When Denise is not teaching her middle school students, she is mentoring her group of young ladies known as Carved Out Divas. This mentorship program was created for girls to show them how to function in various social settings. The girls in this program are mentored with etiquette classes, career planning, speech classes, confidence building workshops, financial planning, and tons of girl time drinking tea! When Denise is not mentoring, she is traveling the world creating memories. Denise can be reached at the below mentioned contact details.

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://carvedoutdivas.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CarvedOutDivas/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carvedoutdivas/

Mailing Address:

Carved Out Divas

P.O. Box 310667

Tampa, Florida, United States

(813) 699-0887

Foreword

Life, Oh the uncertainties. The twists and the turns, the unexpected, with so many transitions. I remember graduating from high school like it was yesterday. Being prepared for my next steps in life, took a lot of work on my part and support from my parents, especially my Mom. Transitioning Your Life After High School: Success Guide is an essential book for students, parents, and guardians.

This book will prepare students for graduation including moving to a new city or state, finding a place to live and job searches. Knowing and learning how to process what you are feeling in the midst of a transition is critical and this book will give multiple ideas to help young adults do just that. Educating your teen about making their step into independence and adulthood can prove to be scary. One author, a Licensed Mental Health Counselor, lays out how life transitions effect all people in different ways. She explains how your teen and their guardian can navigate through mental and emotional coping as the transition process occurs.

The main take away of this book is how it provides soon to be graduating students several options of paths they can pursue after high school. Being a public-school teacher, I know that each student is created uniquely and is passionate about different things. This book graciously encourages students to explore multiple avenues where they may find their distinct fit. Encouraging your student to walk in their truth towards their destiny is the key this book consistently mentions.

I remember growing up, with everyone saying college is the only way to go. This phobia is saddening to me. I believe college is a great next step, but it is not the only step. Your teen can choose various positive paths after high school and all of them would be considered smart. College does not make you the wiser. Life experiences and learning through living is what makes us wiser. This book encourages parents and guardians to allow their teen to speak their desires and follow their aspirations removing the stigma behind choices.

I love how one author, a financial aid advisor, lays out steps to help your teen stay out of debt or have very minimal debt if you choose the college route by explaining the differences between federal scholarships and federal loan options. Scholarship search tools are also a priceless commodity explained in this guide. It talks of the importance of planning during your scholarship search by setting aside time to fill out scholarship applications. Scholarships and grants are how you avoid mounting and looming debt. Another topic bridged by this book is professional career advice that highlights how internships and apprenticeship programs can allow your teen to test the waters of a career without committing their whole life to it.

The last author, a financial planner, explains how managing money, budgeting, and paying off any debt are lessons your teen will need today, tomorrow, and forever. This helpful guide will assist you and your teen reach their goals. Believe me, you want to get your copy because the commitment required to read this book, is worth every minute invested.

Amber Martin, Educator

What Qualifies me to Write this Book?

The Choice to Build my Legacy.

I have always been outspoken, unpredictable, out of control, keep you guessing, what did she do again, unruly Russell child that makes others cringe. I decided to use all the negative words spoken to me and about me, my decisions, and my mistakes to build a platform of determination. Determination to live life with no regrets, should haves, or maybes. When you ask me, What qualifies me to write this book, my answer is, I survived and I am thriving. My name is Debraca Sivongile Russell, the statistic that refused to settle for what I was born in or raised in.

Bastard, accident, or anchor baby; whatever term you chose, I was not a planned pregnancy, a planned college graduate, nor was I a planned entrepreneur. If you fast forward 30 something years later, my statistics I assure you, are still chart worthy.

I will not blame my loving parents or supportive family for any of my own mistakes. My Bahamian Father and American Mother were young, crazy in love teenagers when they began their journey into parenthood around 16 years old. My unwed mother dropped out of high school in the 10th grade. My Father worked from sunup to sundown. His most notable job was for Waste Management as a garbageman. Our home was full of laughter, love, and arguments. The arguments were about money and how we did not have enough of it. I remember our first apartment was a two-bedroom dream! We had bunk beds and a huge closet! At times life in my mind was perfect. Our reality was not perfect, but tolerable. Tolerable because I was raised with both my parents who provided for me to the best of their abilities. Money was always tight as there were three mouths to feed, clothes to buy, and always a pending shut off