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College and Career Readiness

College, Career and Financial Aid Counseling

 

Check out Applying to College for info on the college application process -- including transcripts, rec letters and more! View scholarship opportunities and links on the left menu for helpful resources.

 

Check out this slide deck all about FAFSA!


FAFSA SLIDES FA25

2025-26 College and Career Center Updates

Opportunities for Success: Week of January 13

Scholarship Opportunities (as of 1/13/26)

Amazon Future Engineer
Deadline: January 15

CIF Winter Spirit of Sport Award
Deadline: January 16 

Peninsula College Fund
Deadline: February 6

Dell Scholars Program
Deadline: February 15 

View the full scholarship list.

  • Directions:
    • Step 1: Log onto Naviance
    • Step 2: Click "Colleges" tab
    • Step 3: Click "Scholarships & Money" 
    • Step 4: Filter between college-specific, national and scholarship search

Career Opportunities

Stanford Institutes of Medicine Summer Research Program (SIMR) is accepting applications!

This eight-week program where high school students from diverse backgrounds are invited to perform basic research with Stanford faculty, postdoctoral fellows, students and researchers on a medically-oriented project. Open to rising Juniors & Seniors.

 

Voices of Valhalla - Thursdaym January 14

The MHS College & Career Center's Voices of Valhalla is returning tomorrow, WEDNESDAY January 14, with a panel on Engineering! If you are unfamiliar, the Voices of Valhalla is a series of panels that happen during advisory where professionals from a certain industry share what they do, how they got there, and things students can do now to help them succeed in their job. 


College Opportunities

Virtual Drop in hours for FAFSA Parent Support

Mr. Hockaday is available for Financial Aid parent support on Mondays and Fridays for any parents who need support completing their portion of FAFSA. Google link to each space is listed below:

Virtual FAFSA Drop In  

 

SMUHSD is providing District Financial Aid support 

SMUHSD will be providing FAFSA/CADAA district support for parents and families who cannot make the February 3 or February 21 dates. 

Details: Wednesday, January 28th, 2pm-4pm at Burlingame High School Alumni Room

1 Mangini Way, Burlingame

Job Opportunities (as of 1/13/26) 

 

Opportunities for Success: Week of December 1

Career Opportunities
The MHS College & Career Center's Voices of Valhalla is returning Wednesday, December 3 with a panel on AME/VAPA! If you are unfamiliar, the Voices of Valhalla is a series of panels that happen during advisory where professionals from a certain industry share what they do, how they got there, and things students can do now to help them succeed in their job. 

Our panel will consist of:

  • Videographer (MHS alum + works for Golden State Valkyries!)
  • Actor/Performer
  • Photographer
  • Illustrator/Art Director
  • Software Engineer (worked with video games + YouTube!)


Please share this event with students who may be interested! Note that registration is mandatory to attend, which students can do so through this link: https://forms.gle/Woq2eo8vvFuYPjxq7 

After registering, they'll receive a pass with instructions on where to report. We'll also have other panels throughout the year, including Finance, Engineering, and Tech!


College Opportunities

Virtual Drop in hours for FAFSA Parent Support
Mr. Hockaday is available for Financial Aid parent support on Mondays and Fridays for any parents who need support completing their portion of FAFSA. Google link to each space is listed below:  

 

Job Opportunities (as of 12/2/25)

Opportunities for Success: Week of November 17

College Opportunities

 

College Application Reminders

  • UC & CSU Applications are due Dec. 1st!

  • Students applying to private colleges must submit requests for transcripts and recommendation letters via Naviance! Please follow all the steps listed here.

  • Some private colleges also require counselor rec letters! Check each college's admissions website for requirements.

  • Need help on your college apps? Come to the Career Center on Wednesdays at Flex!

Virtual Drop in hours for FAFSA Parent Support

Mr. Hockaday is available for Financial Aid parent support on Mondays and Fridays for any parents who need support completing their portion of FAFSA. Google link to each space is listed below:  

 


 

Career Opportunities

Voices of Valhalla

The MHS College & Career Center's Voices of Valhalla is returning WEDNESDAY November 19 with a panel on Medical & Healthcare! If you are unfamiliar, the Voices of Valhalla is a series of panels that happen during advisory where professionals from a certain industry share what they do, how they got there, and things students can do now to help them succeed in their job.

The panel will happen this Wednesday November 19 during flex, featuring professionals in the Medical & Healthcare space! Our panel will consist of:

 

  • Doctor @ UCSF
  • Nurse Practitioner
  • Athletic Trainer (MHS' very own Johnnie Walton!)
  • Social Worker (MHS alum!)
  • Respiratory Tech (2 year program @ Skyline!) 

 

Registration is mandatory to attend, which students can do so through this link: https://forms.gle/Woq2eo8vvFuYPjxq7 

Email Mr. Reyes (jreyes@smuhsd.org) for more information. 


 

 

Are you interested in a Health Career? Apply for KP Launch High School PAID Internship!

Kaiser Permanente offers unique and dynamic health care internship programs that provide practical job skills and experiences. The goal is to bring students into the KP LAUNCH program for exposure to various business and healthcare careers. Must be 16 years old to apply

Apply by January 9 

 


SFO AIM High through SFO Airport

SFO AIM High 2026 Application is officially open NOW through November 28! Learn more about SFO & Careers in Aviation through industry professionals, professional development workshops, and tours. 

This is a free hybrid program - 3 days virtual, 1 optional in-person, open to current high school students. Feel free to print and post the attached flyer. Please share this opportunity with your students & organizations to help growing professionals learn how to be more confident navigating job applications and interviews. Feel free to reach out if you would like to schedule a call for more information. 

Apply by November 28: 2026 SFO AIM High Application Form

Program Dates: January 6, 8, 13, 15, 2026

Program Outline: 

  • Orientation + Intro to Careers in Aviation (virtual) - January 6, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  • Resume Building Workshop (virtual) - January 8, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  • Interview Skills Workshop (virtual) - January 13, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m.
  • Tour & Graduation Ceremony (in-person @ SFO) - January 15, 4:00 - 6:00 p.m.

 

 

Job Opportunities (as of 11/18/25) 

Cold Stone: San Mateo - Daly City 

Safeway: Millbrae - San Mateo - Burlingame

San Mateo on Ice: Email: nancy@onicerinks.com w/ cover letter + resume. Must know how to ice skate!


 

Scholarship Opportunities (as of 11/18/25)

Dr. Juan Andrade Scholarship for Young Hispanic Leaders (Deadline Dec 30th)

Dr. Cora Clemons Emerging Young Samaritan Award (Deadline Jan 26th) 

Al Teglia Jobs for Youth Scholarship (Deadline Jan 26th)

Dell Scholars Program (Deadline Feb 15th)


For the full scholarship list, use this link on Naviance: https://student.naviance.com/colleges/scholarships/new/search

2025-26 Career Speaker Series: Voices of Valhalla

The Mills High School College & Career Center presents:

Voices of Valhalla

Interested in hearing from professionals in the field?

Want to discover new careers from a particular industry? Come listen to a panel to gain insight, ask questions, and find inspiration!

Registration is required to attend.

Download the flyer. 

Flyer with info about Voice of Valhalla - Mills High 2025-26 Career Speaker Series

 

Jobs, Internships & Volunteer Opportunities

View the Districtwide Career & Job Opportunities slide deck.

Questions? Contact Mr. Jerel Reyes, Career Coordinator, at jreyes@smuhsd.org
 
 

Contacts

Lorenzo Hockaday
College, Career & Financial Aid Advisor
lhockaday@smuhsd.org

Appointment Link: https://bit.ly/4hl8vlg

 

Jerel Reyes
Career Coordinator
jreyes@smuhsd.org

Appointment Link: https://bit.ly/4fbMQd7

2025 Districtwide College Fair Recap

The San Mateo Union High School District College Fair was held on Wednesday, October 15 at San Mateo High School.

Highlights:

  • More than 75 representatives from colleges across the country were in attendance
  • Guests heard presentations on paying for college, and more!

Program
View the program to see a list of colleges and universities that were in attendance.  

Complete your assigned School Counselor's Brag Sheet at the links below.

 

Career Guide

Career Guide Cover

Explore Career Paths Right Here in San Mateo County!

View the SMUHSD Career Guide.

Guía de Career

职业指南