New website adds to list of CCC resources

Like many other seniors, Rishabh Jethanandani has only one thing on his mind these days—what school will be the best fit for him. One school he’s considering is Columbia University. To find out more about the school’s general environment and academics, he attended a talk given by a Columbia admissions officer on Oct 1, taking advantage of one of the school’s most informative resources: the College and Career Center (CCC), located near the main office in room X01.

The CCC is making renewed efforts this year to publicize its resources and help students take advantage of them.

This year’s most significant added resource is the new web page, which can be accessed under the Academics drop-down on Saratoga High’s redesigned website. The web page provides a frequently updated event calendar that has listed the scheduled college speakers with information serveral monthes in advance.

Despite its benefits, the website’s presence is still relatively little known. Most students, like Jethanandani, still learn of visiting college admission officers via morning announcement.

Although he has only visited the CCC for the Columbia talk, Jethanandani found the experience enriching.

"You get to meet someone who is actually going to read over your application and maybe he’ll even remember you,” he said.

These benefits are made possible by more than 50 parent volunteers and the CCC coordinator Bonnie Sheikh.

The CCC also offers students many other resources, including a collection of test preparatory books and college catalogs, two computers, a crate with volunteer opportunity listings and even an inviting bowl of candy. It also processes work permits and administers several other events, such as the PSAT test, and Career Day every two years.

Just a year after taking over the CCC program, Sheikh has already made a few changes to the center, and already, there is a greater number of students attending college visits this year .

In addition, Sheikh is contemplating implementing a job-shadowing program this spring through which SHS students could immerse themselves in a work environment by visiting a particular company.

Parent volunteer Carolyn Doles said, “Everything just seems to work like clockwork with [Sheikh] around.”