Career Link

About Career Link | Information Sessions | National Recognition
FAQs | Contact Information

About Career Link

Career Link is a high school completion program for students ages 16-21 who no longer attend traditional high school. We offer students the opportunity to work on academic skills, personal development, and make progress towards a high school diploma during their enrollment. Career Link is a partnership between South Seattle Community College and the Highline School District designed to help students complete a diploma and make the transition to post-secondary education.  

Our focus is to provide high school completion courses and classroom experience preparing students for academic success and a transition to college programs. Students may earn dual credit for high school completion and college credit. Youth who enroll in our program attend full-time at no cost. Students explore career and educational options while building solid basic academic skills and explore college programs at no charge while completing their high school diploma.

Career Link at South’s mission is to prepare students for success in college and a career while they work toward earning a high school diploma. We maintain high standards for our program participants. All Career Link students will be expected to follow the Career Link Code of Conduct.

Career Link serves about 150 students each quarter.

Information Sessions

To learn more about Career Link, please attend an information session. Attending an information session is required to begin the enrollment process.

Sessions Dates: Please contact our office for the next session: 206.934.7946

Frequently Asked Questions:

Who qualifies for Career Link?
Students 16 to 21 years old who have left high school without a diploma. Students  may or may not have a GED.

When is the application deadline?
Career Link follows the college quarter system and starts new students at the beginning of each term. Enrollment for each quarter typically begins about 2 months prior to the first day of class. Typically we schedule information sessions a couple months prior to the beginning of a new quarter. Please contact the office at 206 934-7946 or careerlinkacademy@seattlecolleges.edu for the next information session dates.

What are the steps to get in?
All prospective students must attend an information session, complete paperwork, take an entrance exam, and complete an interview.

Are entry tests required?
All students are grade level tested as part of the enrollment process.

What are the costs?
There is no cost to attend Career Link.

What support services are provided?
Students enrolled in Career Link are continuously supported by a team of dedicated teachers and staff. We closely monitor credits, graduation requirements, student success in the program, and general progress. We provide transportation assistance in the form of bus tokens for students who need assistance and all textbooks and materials are provided by the program free of charge. Curriculum, partnerships, and an active Advisory Board together support students through financial aid and scholarship assistance, job shadowing opportunities, and field trips. Students also have access to professional counselors through a partnership with South West Youth and Family Services. Students also have the opportunity to:

• Be a part of the exciting learning community at SSCC
• Take college classes
• Explore different career paths
• Gain job skills
• Create a career & college portfolio
• Learn about the programs & opportunities SSCC has to offer
• Visit four-year colleges & universities

Who Career Link is For?

• Students who want high school completion and a diploma
• Students who are behind in credits
• Students who are unlikely to graduate with their class
• Students who will not graduate by age 19

Who Career Link is Not For?

• Students who want a GED Program
• Students looking for a short cut or easy way to graduation
• Students doing great in regular high school
• Students who are on-track to finish high school with their class

National Recognition

• Career Link was chosen by the Department of Labor/National Youth Employment Coalition to receive a PepNet Award in 1996. Career Link was one of 18 to receive this national best practice award.
  
• Career Link was recognized as a transformational education school. Transformational Education (TED) is a comprehensive educational approach that creates an environment which appreciates the strengths and talents and develops the potential of adolescents by responding to the needs of young adults who are not well-served by traditional public schools.

Career Link Contact Information