Career Readiness

Arizona

ALA Anthem South Banner students working in class

Step foot into your Career

Life after high school looks different for everyone. Some students already have a clear plan, while others are still figuring it out. Both paths are normal. At ALA, we focus on helping you discover what you’re good at and where those strengths can take you. Career readiness isn’t just about picking a job — it’s about asking the right questions, exploring options, and taking steps that move you closer to your goals.

Trade/ Technical School →

Military →

Getting Started: Career Readiness

The best way to begin is by getting to know yourself. Think about which classes you enjoy most, or the types of projects that come naturally to you. From there, you can connect those interests to real career paths. ALA provides tools that let you test out ideas, explore careers, and plan your coursework so it matches where you want to go. Over time, your plan can change — and that’s okay. The goal is to leave high school prepared, not guessing.

Plan Your Track: Major Clarity

What is MajorClarity?

MajorClarity is a planning tool for 7th–12th graders to explore careers and map out their academic path. Students can "test drive" careers and connect their interests to real academic and postsecondary plans—whether that means college, trade school, or joining the workforce. Log in to Major Clarity through your student Clever account.

Watch to learn how 7th–12th graders are using MajorClarity to explore careers and map out their goals.

Building Your Portfolio

Think of a portfolio as your personal scrapbook for school and work. It’s not something you put together all at once—it grows as you do. Save things that show effort or progress: a project you worked hard on, a certificate from a club, a letter from a teacher or coach, or even notes you’ve written about a volunteer experience. Later, when you need to apply for a scholarship, job, or college, you won’t be stuck trying to remember everything—you’ll already have it collected.

Suggested resources for this topic:

MajorClarity
Sample Career Portfolio Checklist – Texas Education Agency
Tools for Creating Digital Student Portfolios – Edutopia
Career Portfolio Guide - Texas State University

Resume & Writing Tips

A résumé doesn’t have to be fancy. It’s really just a one-page summary of what you’ve been doing in school, at work, or in the community. Start with your name and contact info, then add school details, jobs or volunteer work, and activities where you played a role. Keep it short and easy to skim. Instead of only listing what you did, try to show what you learned or how you helped. That little shift makes your résumé stand out more. Students can log into their MajorClarity to help

Suggested resources for this topic:

Resume and Cover Letters - MajorClarity
Anatomy of a High School Résumé – BigFuture (College Board)
Resume & Cover Letter Tips – University of North Georgia
Resumes, Cover Letters and Job Applications - New York State
Purdue's Complete Guide to Cover Letters - Purdue OWL
Cover Letter Workshop - Purdue OWL
Résumés - Purdue OWL
Résumés and CVs - Purdue OWL

Ready for the Interview

Most interviews are less formal than people imagine. Show up a little early, sit up straight, and be polite—that alone sets the right tone. Bring a copy of your résumé just in case. When you answer questions, don’t worry about having perfect words; just be clear and honest. If you need a second to think, that’s fine—take it. Before you leave, thank the person for their time, and later, send a quick note or email. Small gestures like that are remembered.

Suggested resources for this topic:

Tips for a Successful Interview – University of North Georgia
11 Job Interview Tips for Teens – Indeed.com

Arizona Education Career Action Plan (ECAP)

On February 25, 2008, the Arizona State Board of Education approved Education and Career Action Plans (ECAP) for all Arizona students grades 9-12. An ECAP reflects a student’s current plan of coursework, career aspirations, and extended learning opportunities in order to develop the student’s individual academic, career goals, and postsecondary plans.

For more information about ECAP, please visit the Arizona DoE ECAP website→

Additional Career Resources:

Career One Stop - Government-supported tools and resources to research careers, training, and job opportunities
LinkedIn - Grow your professional network, showcase your skills, and discover new career opportunities
Indeed - Find and apply to jobs quickly with Indeed, one of the largest job search engines connecting employers and job seekers worldwide
Glassdoor - Research companies, compare salaries, and read employee reviews to make informed career decisions

Vo-Tech / Trade School Information

College isn’t the only door open after graduation. Vocational and technical schools offer training that’s hands-on and career-focused. For example, our own vocational / trade high school ALA Applied Technologies give students the chance to earn certifications while still in high school. That means by the time you graduate, you may already be ready to step into fields like healthcare, construction, technology, or automotive work. For students who want to learn a trade and get to work quickly, these programs are an excellent option.

Learn more about ALA Applied Technologies →

ADDITIONAL CTE - ALA Arizona East Valley

EVIT
CAVIT

ADDITIONAL CTE - ALA Arizona West Valley

WestMec

Exterior shot of the ALA Applied Technologies campus

For more information on your options for Vo-Tech and Trade School's contact your Student Service's Academic Advisor.

Military & Service

At American Leadership Academy, we recognize that college is not the only next step. For some students, the military offers training, career opportunities, and education benefits after high school. We help students prepare for the ASVAB test and connect with recruiters so they can explore how service builds discipline, skills, and a strong foundation for the future. Choose a branch below to get started.

Learn more about the Military Requirements →

Air Force

Space Force

Army

Navy

Coast Guard

Marines

Career Readiness FAQ

What is MajorClarity?

How do students use MajorClarity?

How do students log in?

What options are available for students interested in trade schools?

American Leadership Academy partners with different CTE programs and schools such as:

EAST VALLEY ARIZONA

ALA Applied Technologies – Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities within ALA campuses.
EVIT (East Valley Institute of Technology) – Focuses on technical training and preparation for college or career.
CAVIT (Central Arizona Valley Institute of Arizona) - Prepares 11th and 12th grade students with tehcnical training for college and career.

WEST VALLEY ARIZONA

West-MEC (Western Maricopa Education Center) – Offers hands-on workforce training and career programs.

How do these programs support graduation?

Does ALA support students interested in the military?

What is the ASVAB?

What is ECAP?

Arizona Education Career Action Plan (ECAP)

An Education and Career Action Plan (ECAP) is required for all Arizona students in grades 9–12. Approved by the Arizona State Board of Education in 2008, the ECAP documents each student’s academic plan, career goals, and postsecondary pathways. It serves as a roadmap for aligning coursework and experiences with individual career aspirations.

For more information about ECAP, please visit the Arizona DoE ECAP website→

Where can I find more information on military careers?

What is the Common Application?

Have questions? Ask your Advisor!

From academic support and course planning to navigating resources and connecting with the right people, we are here to assist you! For quick assistance, check out our FAQ section for commonly asked questions. To explore becoming a student, visit our Enrollment page. For additional questions about courses and testing, contact your student services academic advisor. Find your school’s student services team below to connect with your academic advisor.

Student Last Name (A-J), HS

Rebecca Greenwood
Academic Advisor
rgreenwood@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (K-L), HS & All Junior High

Hunter Dapkus
Academic Counselor
hdapkus@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (M-Z), HS

Kristin Penrod, MSW, MBA
Assistant Director of Student Services
kpenrod@alaschools.org

Ironwood

Students Last Name (A-G), 7-12

Grace Wood
Academic Advisor
gwood@alaschools.org

Students Last Name (H-N), 7-12

Melissa Molina-Garcia
Academic Advisor
melissa.molinagarcia@alaschools.org

Students Last Name (O-Z), 7-12

Amber Linderholm
Assistant Director of Student Services
alinderholm@alaschools.org

Mesa North

Queen Creek

All Students, 7th-9th

Trudy Wallingford
Assistant Director of Student Services
trudy.wallingford@alaschools.org

Students Last Name (A-K), 10th-12th

Tamarah Taylor
Academic Advisor
tamarahtaylor@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (L-Z), 10th-12th

Artensia Kennedy
Academic Advisor
artensia.kennedy@alaschools.org

All Students, 7th-9th

Courtney Voise
Assistant Director of Student Services
courtney.voise@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (A-K), 10th-12th

Ashley Rodriguez
Academic Advisor
arodriguez@alaschools.org

Student Last Name (L-Z), 10th-12th

Ray Guerrero
Academic Advisor
ray.guerrero@alaschools.org

Need help with Enrollment? Questions about registering for school? Contact our Enrollment Specialist:
districtregistrar@alaschools.org