At Tracy High School, the College and Career Center is more than just a place to ask questions about applications but a space designed to help students figure out their future. At the center of it all is College and Career Coordinator Ms. Price, whose role goes far beyond paperwork and deadlines.
Ms. Price describes her work as being an “information resource center,” where her goal is to give students options and expose them to opportunities they may not have considered. Rather than pushing students toward one specific path, she emphasizes that “there’s no one pathway” after high school. Whether a student is considering a four-year university, community college, trade school, the military, or going straight into the workforce, her focus is on helping them explore what fits them best.
At the heart of the center is a commitment to giving students options. The College and Career coordinator, Ms. Price explains that she wants students to understand “there’s no one pathway” after high school. Whether students are interested in a four-year university, community college, trade school, the military, or going straight into the workforce, the center works to support every path.
A major part of Ms. Price’s role is bringing those opportunities directly to students. Through on-campus presentations, she introduces students to careers in fields such as HVAC, welding, plumbing, and electrical work careers that are often overlooked but offer strong, stable futures. By exposing students to these options, she helps break the idea that college is the only path to success.
In addition to career exposure, Ms. Price encourages students to better understand themselves. She guides them toward career and aptitude tests, personality assessments, and hands-on experiences that help them discover their strengths and interests. She also emphasizes that uncertainty is part of the process, reminding students that figuring out what they don’t want to do is just as important as deciding what they do.
Her impact is also felt in the way students respond to the center’s resources. Senior, Paula Olmedo shared that “the presentations they had with other schools like UCSB… caught my interest on applying there because they talked about programs they had.” These opportunities, organized and promoted by Ms. Price, help students make more informed and confident decisions about their future.
Scholarships are another major focus of her work. Each year, thousands of dollars go unclaimed simply because students do not apply. Ms. Price actively encourages students to take advantage of these opportunities, even if they feel unsure about their qualifications. Her advice is simple “give the donor the opportunity to say yes.” This mindset helps students overcome hesitation and see scholarships as accessible rather than intimidating.
Students have felt the impact of this support directly. Olmedo explained that access to scholarship information “makes me feel more confident because I’m not competing against like another million students.” By promoting local scholarships and encouraging consistent effort, Ms. Price helps make higher education feel more attainable.
Beyond the resources she provides, one of Ms. Price’s greatest strengths is her accessibility. She understands that not all students will seek help on their own, so she makes the effort to reach them. From visiting classrooms and working with programs like AVID to attending club meetings, she brings the College and Career Center to students instead of waiting for them to come to her.
Ultimately, Ms. Price’s work shapes the way students at Tracy High School approach their future. By providing guidance, opportunities, and reassurance, she helps students move forward with confidence, no matter which path they choose.
