Choosing Your Path
Not everyone will attend a college or university, or attend a trade school, or enlist in the military. Some of us jump right into the workforce. Here's an opportunity for you to find your path. To learn more about each path and the next steps, click on the path that interests you the most.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your option, please feel free to connect with me via my email: aespinoza@aguafria.org or visit me in the College & Career Center located in the library.
Career Paths
- 2 Year Community College Path
- 4 Year University Path
- Trade School Path
- Military Path
- Jobs/ Workforce
2 Year Community College Path
2 Year Community College Path
The community college offers smaller classrooms, associate degrees, certificate programs, and workforce job-ready options. Classes offered are the standard college credit (degrees/certificate) or clock hour programs (EMT, Fire Science. Etc.). Many of our former AFHS students pursued areas such as Cyber Security, Nursing, Business Administration, and education, to name a few. Community Colleges cost less.
September
_____ Attend one or two of the College and Career Fairs offered in the Agua Fria School District:
- Agua Fria High School
- Thursday, Sept. 3rd - During RTI (10:15a - 11:00)
- In the cafeteria - Don't forget your "bingo" card for a chance to win prizes!
Gather information about available schools you may be interested in attending
· District Fair: Tuesday Sept. 23rd 5:30p – 7p at Desert Edge High School
Gather additional information about schools or re-visit previously viewed schools
August - October
Your FSA ID is the first step in completing the FAFSA and applying for federal financial aid.
- Go to StudentAid.gov
- Create your FSA ID (username and password).
- You will need your Social Security number.
- This process takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
- Save your username and password in a secure place—you will need them when completing the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA requires you to list a school or schools you are interested in attending. You can list up to 20 schools
Important: The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can help you qualify for grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans to help pay for college.
College Readiness Reminders
- If you graduate with a 3.25 or higher unweighted GPA, you may qualify for scholarships at some community colleges that can help cover up to two years of tuition.
- Depending on your GPA and the college you attend, you may be required to complete reading and/or math placement testing. Check with your college for its specific placement requirements.
October - December
Once the FAFSA becomes available:
- Return to StudentAid.gov.
- Log in using the FSA ID you created earlier.
- Have your parent/guardian's email address available.
- Your parent/guardian may need to complete and sign their required portion of the FAFSA.
Important: If parent/guardian information is required for your FAFSA, the application will not be complete until their required section is submitted.
January - May
_____ Apply for admissions to the CC of your choice
· You will need to know/have your Social Security number, address, phone, personal email, a copy of your driver’s license (or permit), and a copy of your unofficial transcript.
- The CCC has many of the Arizona CC’s flyers and available programs.
- If you are planning on attending Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC), the representative is here weekly for you to make an appointment or drop in during lunch.
- When applying, you will need to know which program you want to apply to. This is part of the process. You can change your plan with an advisor from the school.
____ Graduate high school
4 Year University Path
4 Year University Path
So you’ve chosen the 4 year path to a degree program. Whether you are pursuing a degree in business, nursing, engineering, or general education, this will be an experience. Preparing to attend the university will require a lot of preparation. Planning is the key.
August - October
_____ Apply for early admission to a 4-year College or University.
- ASU and U of A's deadline is Nov. 1st
- NAU's deadline is Nov. 15th
- Check your intended school's website for their early admissions deadline
_____ Attend College and Career Fair:
- Agua Fria High School
- Thursday, Sept. 3rd - During RTI (10:15a - 11:00)
- In the cafeteria - Don't forget your "bingo" card for a chance to win prizes!
· District Fair: Tuesday Sept. 23rd 5:30p – 7p at Desert Edge High School
Gather additional information about schools or re-visit previously viewed schools
If you are planning on attending a university out of state, you have a couple of options:
- You can apply for multiple schools through www.commonapp.org – this can be a lengthy process.
- Or go directly to your preferred school's .edu website
- As you complete the university application, you will select your degree program and enter your grades from your freshman year to the present. *It will be helpful to have a printed copy of your official transcript.
o You will need to know your unweighted GPA, class rank, number of students in the class, and your ACT score.
_____ Create your FSA-ID
· Go to: www.studentaid.gov
Your FSA ID is the first step in completing the FAFSA and applying for federal financial aid.
- Go to StudentAid.gov
- Create your FSA ID (username and password).
- You will need your Social Security number.
- This process takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
- Save your username and password in a secure place—you will need them when completing the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA requires you to list a school or schools you are interested in attending. You can list up to 20 schools
Important: The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) can help you qualify for grants, scholarships, work-study, and student loans to help pay for college.
October - December
Once the FAFSA becomes available:
- Return to StudentAid.gov.
- Log in using the FSA ID you created earlier.
- Have your parent/guardian's email address available.
- Your parent/guardian may need to complete and sign their required portion of the FAFSA.
Important: If parent/guardian information is required for your FAFSA, the application will not be complete until their required section is submitted.
____ College application (general admission cycle)
· Apply at the schools website or use the common app website
· See the information from the early application section for info needed
____ College signing day – May 1st.
· Committing to a school
· Take a photo with your school choice during lunch
Available throughout the year
____ Financial Aid/Paying for college/university:
· Most college/universities will provide merit scholarship dollars based on your unweighted GPA
· Complete your FAFSA
· Apply for scholarships through various scholarship search engines. Click on the QR code to direct you to the CCC website. See "Paying for College/Trade School Section"
· Go to the Class of 2027 Google Classroom for daily updates of new scholarships
· Local scholarships will be available beginning in February. *Several of the scholarships are only awarded to AFHS students!
· Many of the universities will have their own scholarship search engines on their websites
____ Graduate high school
Trade School Path
Trade School Path
Electrician | Welding | Automotive/ Diesel Mechanic | Refrigeration Mechanic | HVAC Technician/ Engineer |Plumbing | Electrical Powerline Technician |Pipefitter | Fiber Optics Tech | Truck Driving
These are a few of the many Trade School paths that are available to you. There are many schools that provide apprenticeship programs within Arizona both at these service schools or at a community college or university.
August - September
_____ Attend College and Career Fair:
· Agua Fria High School
- Thursday, Sept. 3rd - During RTI (10:15a - 11:00)
- In the cafeteria - Don't forget your "bingo" card for a chance to win prizes!
· District Fair: Tuesday Sept. 23rd 5:30p – 7p at Desert Edge High School
_____ Create your FSA-ID:
Your FSA ID is the first step in completing the FAFSA and applying for federal financial aid.
- Go to StudentAid.gov
- Create your FSA ID (username and password).
- You will need your Social Security number.
- This process takes approximately 5–10 minutes.
- Save your username and password in a secure place—you will need them when completing the FAFSA.
October - December
Once the FAFSA becomes available:
- Return to StudentAid.gov.
- Log in using the FSA ID you created earlier.
- Have your parent/guardian's email address available.
- Your parent/guardian may need to complete and sign their required portion of the FAFSA.
- The FAFSA requires you to list a school or schools you are interested in attending. You can list up to 20 schools
Important: If parent/guardian information is required for your FAFSA, the application will not be complete until their required section is submitted.
_____ Review the schools that you are interested in and ask yourself:
- How much will it cost?
- Will they accept FAFSA dollars?
- How long is the training?
- When can I start?
- What are the steps to apply?
_____ Select your school
· Go to their website and apply
Military Path
Military Path
The Military option is a good choice, but also not for everyone. Regardless of whether you enlist or become a commissioned officer, this will be a life-changing opportunity. Whether you join the Army, Air Force, Marine Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, or the National Guard, you need to choose wisely.
Your next steps:
_____ Meet with the military representatives during lunch
· Tuesday’s – Army & Navy
· Thursday’s – Marine Corps & Army National Guard
_____ Do you know your ASVAB score?
*Knowing your score will open additional doors to various jobs in each of the military branches
· Check with Mrs. Espinoza to obtain your ASVAB score
· Know the AFQT score for each branch to be able to enlist
_____ Get to know your military recruiter
Most importantly, you must GRADUATE from school!
Connecting with the Military Branches
U.S. Air Force
Aim High!
The Air Force offers multiple options to enlist or become an officer. Most branches offer the active duty route, reserve, or a guard option with a delayed entry option. There are over 130 careers available to you such as aerospace propulsion, air traffic control, bioenvironmental engineering, cyber, and fire protection to name just a few. To learn what the Air Force can offer you you can visit their website http://www.airforce.com. You can also connect with our Air Force recruiter, Tsgt. Justin Scott's information is listed below.
JUSTIN K. SCOTT, MSgt, USAF
Enlisted Accessions Recruiter
362nd Recruiting Squadron, E-Flight
9380 W Westgate Blvd Suite D-109
Glendale AZ, 85305
Duty Cell: (602) 721-8589
U.S. Army
Be all that you can be!
The U.S. Army offers you the opportunity to:
- Service to country and advance your goals
- Over 150 career choices
- Pick your job
- Vacation with pay
- College loan repayment
- Financial aid for school
To learn more, visit www.goarmy.com or contact our school's recruiter:
SSG Brandin Holguin
5110 N. Dysart Rd
Litchfield, AZ 85340
brandin.l.holguin.mil@army.mil
Office: (480) 212-4701
Cell: (480) 356-3482
U.S. Marine Corps
Explore Our Legacy, Embrace Our Future
For 250 years, the United States Marine Corps has served honorably in every clime and place. Founded on November 10, 1775, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the Marines have fought from the shores of Tripoli to the valleys of Afghanistan – always the most ready when the nation is least ready.
Coming from all walks of life, Marines are forged by the fires of the Crucible, turning everyday citizens into adaptive warfighters with problem-solving skills and a willingness to win against any adversary. No matter their ranks, Marines stay true to the uncompromising standards found in their core values of honor, courage, and commitment.
Those who have worn the uniform continue to serve their nation and their Corps through their lived examples of our ethos, leading the way in business and their communities, and embodying the spirit of “Once a Marine, always a Marine.”
Marines always answer the call of the Nation – distinguishing themselves in battles at Belleau Wood, Iwo Jima, Okinawa, the Chosin Reservoir, Hue City, Fallujah, and Marjah. The same fighting spirit that led Marines then thrives in our Marines today. On any given day, nearly 38,000 Marines are forward deployed around the globe, enabling the Corps to be first on scene, first to help, first to contain a brewing crisis, and if required to do so, first to fight anywhere for as long as it takes. Marines stand always ready.
For 250 years, the United States Marine Corps has prided itself on exemplifying its motto of “Semper Fidelis” or “Always Faithful.” Please join in celebrating 250 years of the Marine Corps faithful service to our nation.
To connect with AFHS Marine Corps recruiter:
SGT Brian Kotrous
Cell: (623)523-4655
Office: (623)849-8151
email: brian.kotrous@marines.usmc.mil
7515 W. Encancto Blvd. Ste. 5
Phoenix, AZ. 95035
U.S. Navy
What Is the Navy?
Since 1775, America’s Navy has maintained freedom of the seas. Not only for our nation, but for our allies and strategic partners. We are the most powerful Navy in the world. We are here to preserve the peace, respond in crisis and win decisively in war. We operate around the world, from seabed to space, in cyberspace and the information environment to secure our nation.
But what does that really mean? As the threats to our nation grow, we are tasked with defending our homeland. We’re here to deliver decisive combat power when necessary to win at war. It means our ships are here to keep shipping lanes open, so packages can cross the ocean without interruption. Our submarines defend the fiber-optic cables on the sea floor, so your internet connection remains strong. Naval aviators keep the skies clear and deliver critical strikes when needed. In cyberspace, our teams defend our nation’s networks, developing new strategies to win in the online battlefield. Most importantly, we train the best and brightest warfighters to serve as Sailors aboard our vessels and on bases around the world. In America’s Navy, we stand the watch for our nation.
To connect with the AFHS recruiter:
DC2 (SW) Marcus Sykes
Phone: (480) 254-8367
Email: Marcus.n.sykes.mil@us.navy.mil
15570 W. Van Buren St
Goodyear, AZ 85338
U.S. Army National Guard
We recognize December 13th as the birthday of the National Guard. On this date in 1636, the first militia regiments in North America were organized in Massachusetts. Based upon an order of the Massachusetts Bay Colony's General Court, the colony's militia was organized into three permanent regiments to better defend the colony. Today, the descendants of these first regiments - the 181st Infantry, the 182nd Infantry, the 101st Field Artillery, and the 101st Engineer Battalion of the Massachusetts Army National Guard – share the distinction of being the oldest units in the U.S. military. December 13, 1636, thus marks the beginning of the organized militia, and the birth of the National Guard's oldest organized units is symbolic of the founding of all the state, territory, and District of Columbia militias that collectively make up today's National Guard.
https://www.nationalguard.mil/
To connect with AFHS recruiter:
SSG Francisco Perez
Cell: (623)308-0426
Email: francisco.j.perez96.mil@army.mil
6202 W. Myrtle Ave
Glendale, AZ 85031
Jobs/ Workforce
Workforce/ Jobs Path
Post Secondary education is not for everyone. Sometimes just getting out into the workforce is the best option.
Next steps:
_____ Create/ update your resume
*If you need assistance, please check in with Mrs. Espinoza in the CCC
Phone: (623)932-7300 x 1044
_____ Ask yourself:
- What kind of work do you want to do?
- Did you take the ASVAB to learn what your strengths are and how it can help you select a possible career?
- Do you like to work with your hands, outdoors, indoors, work with others, or provide customer service?
- If you are currently working, would you want to stay there?
o Are there opportunities for advancement, a pay raise?
_____ Things to consider:
· What are your goals besides “making money”?
o Goal #1: ________________________
o Goal #2: ________________________
o Goal #3: ________________________
· What are the steps you believe are needed to make these goals come to fruition?
o Step #1: ________________________
o Step #2: ________________________
o Step #3: ________________________
o Step #4: ________________________
o Step #5: ________________________
_____ Job Search websites:
· Job Opportunities | Sorted by Job Title ascending | Careers (City of Avondale)
· Career Opportunities | City of Goodyear
· Job Listings - City of Tolleson Jobs
· Monster Jobs - Job Search, Career Advice & Hiring Resources | Monster.com
· Job Search: Millions of US Jobs (HIRING NOW) Near You - 2025
· Job Search, Career Advice, and Salary Info | CareerBuilder
· USAJOBS - The Federal Government's official employment site
*If you are inclined to work in the retail environment, such as Fry’s, Kohls, JC Penney, or at the local mall, go directly to their websites and search their available jobs.