Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links, meaning we get a small commission if you make a purchase through our links, at no cost to you. For more information please visit our Disclaimer Page.
Last Updated on August 15, 2022 by coffeepo
What do you want to be when you grow up?
It’s a question we’ve been asked since we were young. And now that you’re in high school, this question becomes a bit more serious. You’re almost at the age when you can choose to start working or go to college.
It can be exciting to get work experience right out of high school, but it can also be a really confusing time. How can you decide what you want to do for the rest of your life? We’ve all been there, you’re probably still way too young to choose your future, right?
The answer is no. You’re not too young to think about your future. It’s never too early to think of possible career pathways, especially when most high school students are expected to know what they want to take in college.
In America, 75% of college students begin their studies without a clear goal or even change their major—and that’s okay. However, you can save yourself time by planning early rather than learning by trial and error. It can be daunting, we know, and we’re here to help you with that.
Here are some tips and insights that can help you decide your career pathways by graduation.
Why You Should Start Planning Your Career in High School
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to plan for your future. If you think about it, high school is the best time to plan your career, so you can choose the right course and school in college. Having a career plan while you’re still in high school allows you to be more focused and learn more about your strengths, weaknesses, skills, and knowledge.
Here are some benefits when you plan your career as a high school student:
- You feel more prepared: After your high school graduation, you already know what you want to do about your future.
- You save time and money: Knowing your career choice ensures that you’re taking the right program at the right school.
- You excel in your career: Taking the right program with early career planning can be the ticket to your career success.
Planning allows you to explore different career options and decide what you want as a career. Finding a job that interests you, suits your skills, and will give you the opportunities you desire might seem hard to reach. But, with careful consideration and planning, it’s a goal you can work toward.
How to Choose Your Career Path in High School
What classes should you take? What college should you go to? What kind of job should you pursue? In high school, you’re already being bombarded by friends, family and teachers about all that and more. It’s hard to know where to start and what to do.
Here are some bits of advice to help you get started:
#1 – Explore Your Skills and Interests
The first step you can take when deciding your career path is to think about what you like and dislike. It’s a simple matter of asking yourself these questions:
- What are my hobbies?
- What are my interests?
- What do I excel at in school?
- What are my favorite movies and TV shows?
The last question might seem odd, but part of planning for your future is imagining yourself doing something you’ve never done before. Consider anything that might give you an insight into what you love doing, and then follow it by answering why you like doing them.
For example, you might have enjoyed after-school volunteer activities. If so, you might want to pursue a social work career, or working with NGOs focused on helping others.
#2 – Consider Your Lifestyle
Every career comes with different lifestyles and aligns with various goals. While it’s essential to choose a career that interests you, you should also consider taking a job that will allow you to have the life you want in the long term.
When you have an idea of the programs you’re interested in, it’s time to start thinking about your finances. Try looking at different financing programs you might need and how you can attend college.
Another thing to consider to achieve your life goals is to decide whether you want to freelance or have a full-time 9-5 job. In 2020 alone, 41% of the American workforce freelanced in some capacity. Both have their own pros and cons.
| Pros | Cons | |
| Freelancing Careers | Flexible schedule: As long as you have a laptop and wifi, you can be working at the beach or the mountains You work alone: No need for awkward conversations while waiting for your coffee at the pantry Less costly: You don’t have to budget transportation costs because you won’t be regularly going to an office Control your income: You can set your own price through self-evaluation and market research | Inconsistent workload: You can’t predict your workflow, because it depends on the client. Subject to isolation: It lacks social interaction that’s natural in an office setting. As much as working alone is good, you might lose track of your social life. No financial security: Your income is not guaranteed. You are paid for your work, not your time. |
| Traditional Jobs | Stable income: You have a steady paycheck every month, so your finances are predictable. Even if the company loses sales, you’ll still get paid. Improve social skills: You’re constantly interacting and engaging with co-workers. Having a full-time job means you’ll have someone to talk to all the time. Full-time benefits: You’ll have access to employer-provided benefits, like insurance, sick days, and paid vacations. | Fixed working hours: You spend 8-9 hours just doing work, which means it will be hard to control your schedule. Fixed salary: A stable income ensures financial security, but it also acts as a ceiling on top of you. You’ll have to wait for a perfect time to ask for a raise. Commute to work: You need to spend more on commuting. It doesn’t only eat your money, but also your time and energy. |
#3 – Explore Trending Careers
When choosing a career, it’s also important to know if there’s a demand for the job you want. With technology moving at such an accelerated pace, more and more jobs become obsolete or automated. So, you want to look at career options that won’t become obsolete anytime soon.
Here’s a list of 20 jobs of the future that have the potential to be high in demand after the current COVID-19 pandemic is over.
We’ve listed down the top 3 jobs for you:
Top 1 – Wind Turbine Service Technicians: Their median annual wage in 2020 is at $56,230.
Top 2 – Nurse Practitioners: The median annual wage for nurses is $111,680.
Top 3 – Solar Installers – Median annual wage is at $46,470.
And the good news is these are all viable for the long term—so you’re set if you follow down any of those career paths.
#4 – Take Aptitude Tests and Courses
If you still find it challenging to decide on what career would fit you or what job you want to do after college, try taking a career aptitude test. These tests can help you highlight your skills and pinpoint fields where you can maximize your potential.
This career aptitude test is a popular one to use since the company has been around since 1998. Plus, all 60 questions should only take you 10 minutes to finish.
You can also take courses online on websites like Udemy or Skillshare to see if you have a knack for a particular skill. By doing so, you’ll have more idea of whether your abilities and interests match your future major and career pathways.
Plan Now for a Better Future
As a high school student, make the most out of your free time to prepare yourself by exploring what career choices you want to consider. You want to decide on your career as early as possible to have better decisions as you move towards college and adulthood.
Now you’re armed with the tools, go out and do it! See you in the winner’s circle.
