College/career counselors guide students to future paths
Bob Jones High School, James Clemens High School, Madison, Madison County Record, News, Schools, Z - News Main
 By  GreggParker Published 
12:48 pm Friday, December 23, 2022

College/career counselors guide students to future paths

MADISON – The College and Career Readiness Team members for Madison City Schools were recent guests for “Sittin’ With the Supe,” a podcast series by Dr. Ed Nichols, MCS Superintendent.

Nichols’ guests were Kaleb Owens, MCS Career Coach, and College and Career Readiness Coaches Lana Meskunas from James Clemens High School and Dr. Stephanie Bostick at Bob Jones High School.

These counselors explain options for students after graduation. The team also shares helpful tips for families, especially for financial aid.

At the University of Alabama, Bostick earned a bachelor’s degree in special education, master’s degree in counseling and a doctorate’s degree in educational leadership policy and law.

A native of Plano, Texas, Meskunas received a bachelor’s degree in home economics at Texas Tech in Lubbock and a master’s degree in counseling at the University of Texas of the Permian Basin.

“I have counseled kindergarten all the way up through twelfth grade. I help students decide what they want to do for the rest of their lives,” Meskunas said.

Originally from Anniston, Owens attended Gadsden State Community College and transferred to the University of North Alabama for a bachelor’s degree in psychology. After college, he worked as recruiter and academic advisor at Calhoun Community College.

Nichols asked about the counselors’ primary goal. “The main goal for a college and career counselor is to help children have a plan after graduation from high school,” Meskunas said. “We work with ninth through twelfth grade on college exploration, entering the work force and military recruitment.”

“A big challenge (exists) for students who aren’t sure what they want to do. They feel pressure about a major. We tell them that they can always start at a community college and then enter a four-year school,” Bostick said.

Owens schedules guest speakers from colleges and representatives from local industries, like Mazda Toyota, to discuss the job market.

“James Clemens has had career seminars. Parents will give a ‘guided tour’ of their job. They include the education they must have, job duties and salary,” Meskunas said.

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid or FAFSA is an important form for students, the counselors said. Prospective college students complete FAFSA to determine their eligibility for financial aid. The state requires that all students fill out FAFSA or sign a waiver if they don’t enter college, Nichols said.

“Parents submit their tax information for FAFSA, but, at the school level, counselors don’t see (financial) information,” Meskunas said. “Many colleges, like Calhoun Community College, require FAFSA for a scholarship.”

In addition, students interested in work study must complete FAFSA paperwork.

After constraints during COVID-19, the ACT has regained importance. “Students should take ACT after completing algebra II with trigonometry or in fall of their junior year so they can look closely at scores and work to get a better score,” Bostick said. In spring of their junior year, students will take ACT for free; the state pays for this testing. Then, students will take ACT one more time during the senior year.

Nichols asked the counselors for one note of advice for college/career decisions. “Ask a lot of questions and explore your options. Lots of students don’t know that they want to do, but they can job shadow or get an internship and observe people in their job,” Owens said.

“A test score doesn’t define who you are,” Bostick said. “It’s not about where you begin, it’s about where you end. You have to show up and work hard to be successful.”

Meskunas advised starting early to prepare for college. “Visit college campuses during school breaks and talk to department heads in the major that you want,” she said.

Also on The Madison Record
Rocket City Marching Invitational set for Saturday, Sept. 20 at stadium
Bob Jones High School, Madison, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Bob Jones High School Bands, in collaboration with title sponsor KODA Technologies, will present the third annual Rocket City Marching Invit...
Mayor Paul Finley bids farewell, reflects on accomplishments at 2025 Madison Update
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - Madison Mayor Paul Finley will be leaving the office of mayor this Nov. after sitting out the Aug. 26 election. Finley addressed the busines...
District 6 seat to be decided Tuesday in runoff election
A: Main, Madison County Record, News, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - There is one final race to be decided from Madison’s municipal Aug. 26 election. The representative for District 6 on the Madison City Counc...
Heart of the Valley YMCA exits Chapter 11 bankruptcy, renews mission focus
A: Main, Business, Madison County Record, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
HUNTSVILLE – On Sept. 8, Heart of the Valley YMCA announced its successful emergence from Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This development marks a new chapter ...
MCDAB presents check to Parks and Recreation, chairperson steps down
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
Maria Rakoczy 
September 17, 2025
MADISON - After serving as the chairperson for the Madison City Disability Advocacy Board (MCDAB) for nine years, Janessa Crosswy is moving and steppi...
State lawmakers, local city leaders meet with Space Command leader to discuss transition
Madison County Record, News, The Madison Recor, ...
By ALEX ANGLE Alabama Daily News 
September 17, 2025
WASHINGTON — Space Command is moving quickly to bring the headquarters to Huntsville through meetings with members of the state’s congressional delega...
Best-Selling Author Jen Hatmaker to share memoir on Oct. 21
Events, Madison County Record, News, ...
Gregg Parker 
September 17, 2025
MADISON – Jean Hatmaker, “New York Times” Best-Selling Author, speaker and podcaster, will share thoughts from her memoir, “Awake,” at Blue Apple Book...

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *