MyCAP - My Career & Academic Plan

The Boards of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) and the Department of Higher Education (DHE) Massachusetts created MyCAP in order to emphasize the dual priority of and connection between academic learning and career planning.   

What is MyCAP? 

MyCAP is a student-centered, multi-year planning tool designed to provide students with ongoing opportunities to plan for their academic, personal/social, and career success. Because the primary author of MyCAP is the student, with guidance from at least one identified caring adult in the school setting and in consultation with parents/guardians, students are empowered to seek out learning opportunities that align with their individual career interests and self-defined goals.  

Why was MyCAP created?

Students who were more engaged in MyCAP activities reported stronger goal-setting skills, increased motivation to attend school, and increased academic self-efficacy that led to better academic achievement, stress and health management, and readiness to engage in career decision-making (Solberg, Wills, Redmond, and Skaff, 2014).

It’s important to note that MyCAP is more than a repository of information. It also helps students draw connections between the courses and academic experiences they receive and the academic and personal/social skills they need to develop in order to achieve their desired career and life goals. 

How can students successfully start and complete their MyCAP? MyCAP is a student-directed process of self-discovery and college and career planning that leads to a unique personalized path towards post-secondary success. As an instrument, MyCAP captures the learning and documents the achievements of the learning objectives at each grade level.  The MyCAP student journey begins in 9th grade, with a focus on goal-setting and envisioning the future. It continues into 10th grade, where students build their resumes and explore potential career paths. In 11th grade, students research colleges via virtual tours and visits and explore spring and summer internships and work opportunities. 12th graders will apply for financial aid via the FAFSA and scholarship opportunities, and begin to build their personal support network to better ensure post-secondary success.  Students create their MyCAP journey through Naviance, an online college and career planning system. The online system contains an ePortfolio allowing students to document their learning across the three domains of college and career readiness. Students can log in here: http://Bostonpublicschools.org/backpack using their BPS email address and password to access the Naviance platform.

How can students successfully start and complete their MyCAP? 

MyCAP is a student-directed process of self-discovery and college and career planning that leads to a unique personalized path towards post-secondary success. As an instrument, MyCAP captures the learning and documents the achievements of the learning objectives at each grade level. 

The MyCAP student journey begins in 9th grade, with a focus on goal-setting and envisioning the future. It continues into 10th grade, where students build their resumes and explore potential career paths. In 11th grade, students research colleges via virtual tours and visits and explore spring and summer internships and work opportunities. 12th graders will apply for financial aid via the FAFSA and scholarship opportunities, and begin to build their personal support network to better ensure post-secondary success. 

Students create their MyCAP journey through Naviance, an online college and career planning system. The online system contains an ePortfolio allowing students to document their learning across the three domains of college and career readiness. Students can log in here using their BPS email address and password to access the Naviance platform.

BPS MyCAP Scope and Sequence for Grades 9 - 12

Beginning in 9th grade, students should focus on:

1. Creating a SMART goal
2. Completing the Career Cluster Finder
3. Completing the Learning Styles Inventory
4. Creating a routine and schedule, checking in with current academic teachers and counselors, and writing down a vision for Fall 2023.
5. Participating in job-shadows and career days

In 10th grade, students should focus on: 

1. Completing the Strengths Explorer Assessment
2. Building your resume
3. Digging into the career videos and interviews available in Roadtrip Nation
4. Preparing for and taking the SAT - use this link for targeted practice using Khan Academy
5. Exploring spring and summer opportunities for internships, getting involved in the community, and going on virtual college tours.

In 11th grade, students should focus on: 

1. Completing the Do What You Are Assessment
2. Completing the SuperMatch College Search and compile a preliminary college list
3. Uploading your resume
4. Linking College Board and Khan Academy accounts to begin your SAT prep course
5. Engaging in afterschool and summer internships/jobs

In 12th grade, students should focus on:

1. Completing and submitting the FAFSA
2. Adding and updating the “College I’m Attending” list
3. Applying for career pathways training programs in the greater Boston area, if you would like to explore options in addition to college directly in the fall. 
4. Conducting a search for scholarships
5. Completing your Senior Exit Survey 
6. Building a network of support for a successful transition to postsecondary education