About UpSkill

 

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Thank you for your interest in UpSkill, a company dedicated to helping students find the the best fit college of university, since 2009. I'm Cynthia Tognotti, the founder of UpSkill, Independent College Counselor, Author of Speak for Yourself and Countdown to College, former Executive Coach, Sales and Marketing Executive, Corporate Trainer, Certified SENG Parent Group Facilitator and Parent. Having trained and coached thousands of executives and sales professionals for the past 25 years, I now utilize those same success strategies to help students get themselves into the college that fits them best.

 

All too often parents place their child's future solely in the hands of a college consultant and step back. Sometimes it works, but often times student's wonder why they are working with a stranger, rather than the people that know them best. At UpSkill, our goal is to actively engage students in the planning process to prepare them for the important discussions with parents. What's the college budget? What's the best fit? What's the best size and where do I want to live? Better yet, we teach students how to find schools and identify key information their parents will want to review, especially the costs. We believe the relationship between parent and student is vital to the planning process. When everyone is on the same page, the process becomes a memorable discovery adventure.

 

From the moment a student enters high school, they must begin to lead and parents must learn to let go. UpSkill can help. One of the most vital components of what we do, is help students discover who they are and what they want. When a student tours a university campus, they need to be able to answer the question " Can I see myself here?" and not look to their parents for the answer. College is an amazing experience where students go, not just to learn, but to live. Understanding what feels right enables a teen to select the college where they can learn, live and soar. The UpSkill process saves time, money and reduces the stress associated with searching and applying to college. Whether or not you ultimately choose to utilize consulting services, begin with UpSkill and engage the person who's future is most important, your student's.

 

UpSkill offers one-on-one college planning, workshops for researching colleges, application strategies, essay writing, public speaking, resume writing, interview prep, presentation skills and , enrichment and outreach to help students prepare for college, and identify the "Stand Out Factors" that set them apart.

 

Cynthia is a member of the following professional organization:

• National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC)

• Independent Educational Consultants Association (IECA)

• Western Association for College Admission Counseling (WACAC)