College and Career Advantage (CCA) provides high-quality Career Technical Education to Capistrano Unified School District K-12 students, preparing them for post-secondary education and the workforce alike. As part of an ongoing effort to make information regarding post-secondary options readily available to all high school students, College and Career Centers have been installed in five out of six of CUSD’s high schools, with the sixth officially opening at San Clemente High School on February 10th of this year. The College and Career Centers house resources and technology necessary for students to research college and career options; but more importantly these centers house Career Guidance Specialists, whose sole purpose is to guide students through post-secondary options and assist them in finding CTE classes that will prepare them for their future careers. CCA’s Career Guidance Specialists utilize the College and Career Centers to host workshops on career preparation, interviewing skills, and college preparation; as well as give one-on-one advice to tomorrow’s industry professionals.
Autumn McClenaghan serves the students of Aliso Niguel High School and Tesoro High School. She graduated from North Carolina Central University with a Masters in Career Counseling and has over 20 years of experience working in both higher and secondary education. As a Board-Certified Career Coach, she had her own business for several years before joining CCA as a Career Guidance Specialist.
Lynne Bell serves the students of Capistrano Valley High School and San Juan Hills High School. Prior to her role at CCA, she was an Academic Advisor with CUSD for nine years helping students navigate high school and guiding them to meet their college and career goals. Her new role as a Career Guidance Specialist is a natural extension of this work. Lynne’s passion is being able to help students find their interests and develop a plan to achieve their career goals.
Stephanie Brizeno serves the students of Dana Hills High School and San Clemente High School. Prior to being a Career Guidance Specialist, Stephanie spent eight years at San Clemente High School–first as an Academic Advisor, and later as a High School Counselor. These positions exposed her to Career Technical Education and the doors that CTE courses can open for students. In her words, “I firmly believe that CTE, career exploration, and goal-setting are critical components of students’ educational experiences.”
If you are on campus, please be sure to stop by your school’s College and Career Center to meet the Career Guidance Specialists and learn more about the services offered!