CLARKS SUMMIT, LACKAWANNA COUNTY — When high school diplomas are handed to graduates, the moment can be both exciting and daunting. It’s a time when students face the reality of what comes next in life. However, they don’t have to figure out their future alone.
As students reach their junior year, big questions often arise about what lies beyond high school. While the choices may seem overwhelming, many local students are supported by guidance counselors who help them make informed decisions about their careers.
Austin Lyons, a senior at Abington Heights High School in Clarks Summit, is one such student. He plans to join the Army after graduation. For him, the military offers an opportunity to gain valuable skills and access to financial aid for education.
“I wanted to join the Army, maybe go down the enlistment route and then potentially do like airborne. I wanted to give back to my country that gave me so much opportunity and I wanted to get those college benefits,” Lyons said. “I would be interested in seeing how I can grow as a person in the Army.”
Another student, 18-year-old Bradley Newman, is also considering a military career. He hopes to follow in the footsteps of his great-grandfather, who served in World War II. Newman is applying to the United States Military Academy at West Point in New York, a prestigious federal service academy that trains cadets to become commissioned officers in the U.S. Army.
The application process is long and demanding. It includes a physical test, which accounts for 10% of the application. Newman has already completed this step and received approval. He also needs a nomination from a congressman or state senator. So far, he has had interviews with Dave McCormick, John Fetterman, and Rob Bresnahan.
Peter Smith, the school counseling director for the Abington Heights School District, emphasizes the importance of planning. “There’s always planning to be done; a well-researched, articulated plan is incredibly valuable,” he said. Smith oversees the school counseling program for students from kindergarten through 12th grade. His team supports students’ academic, career, and social-emotional development through direct counseling.
As students at Abington Heights begin thinking about their futures, they are required to take Junior Postsecondary Planning, a course designed to help them explore and clarify their career interests. The goal of this course is to encourage students to research potential careers and match them with appropriate post-secondary training.
“If you’re going to invest 4 years and a lot of money getting a degree, you want to know you’re headed in the right direction in terms of a career,” Smith said. Part of this training includes job shadowing, which allows students to experience a career firsthand.
“You could go and think you want to do that and then you do a job shadow and say that wasn’t what I thought it was, which is just as valuable as finding out what you do want,” Smith explained. This hands-on approach helps students make more informed decisions about their future.
For Lyons and Newman, their career paths include the possibility of serving their country. Newman believes the military will help him grow as a leader and a person. “I think it would make me grow as a leader, as a man, as a person,” he said.
Lyons, on the other hand, sees the military as a way to work with his hands and face his fears. “It’s just lined up for me and my personality, I want to work with my hands, just have to face your fears eventually,” he said.
No matter the path—whether it’s the military, law enforcement, or college—guidance counselors remain a central part of the process. They help align students’ ambitions with the right educational and career opportunities. Their support ensures that students are well-prepared for whatever comes next.