Frequently Asked Questions

1. Isn't this what the guidance department is supposed to be doing?
No! With state accountability, exit test coordination and administration, and scheduling and transcript issues, there is no way guidance can also be accountable for helping every student with post-secondary plans. Career Compass is partnering with the guidance departments in area schools to act as a liaison between the students of Baton Rouge and the thirty post-secondary institutions in the area. Our employees are educated on all of the schools in the area and the programs each offers, thus helping the students find the right school for their needs. We know there is a world of opportunity right here in the Baton Rouge area and somewhere for every graduate of an East Baton Rouge Parish high school to go - be it a two or four year university or an arts, technical or professional school.

2. How are you funded?
Career Compass is partially funded by the school systems in which we work.  As a nonprofit organization, Career Compass also welcomes tax-deductible donations from both individual and corporate sponsors. Our services are improving the workforce of Louisiana and we know this is something local businesses will benefit from. Additionally, we actively seek grant opportunities and the local and federal levels, as well as from private grant funding sources. Career Compass offers the local post-secondary institutions various advertising benefits, such as a hot link on our website, for a nominal yearly fee.

3. Is there a charge for your services?
We strive to eliminate barriers that keep students from fulfilling their dreams for the future and realize that for many of the public school students and their families, a fee for our services would be unreasonable. We, therefore, offer our services to the students at no charge to them or their families.

4. How will I know when you are going to be at my school?
Your school's morning announcements will let you know when we'll be on campus and where you can find us. Additionally, posters will be placed in visible locations to keep you informed of our visitations.

5. What is your vision for the future?
Career Compass would like to be the provider of college and career coaching in all of the public high schools in Louisiana.  It is our vision that every high school senior in this state would have the opportunity to receive one on one assistance with their post-secondary plans prior to graduation. 

The overall college-going rate for public high school graduates in Louisiana for the Fall 2008 semester was 46%.

Currently only about 13% of Louisiana high school students obtain post-secondary degrees within six years of graduation.

98% of the students Career Compass worked with last year either applied to and/or were accepted to a post-secondary school