High School Is An Excellent Time For Teen Career Prep
By Courtney White, Stride Career Prep Success Coach
Are you still asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” If so, how do you answer? Do you already have a plan, or are you still figuring things out? Believe it or not, as a high school student, if you haven’t yet decided what you want to do, you’re in the perfect season of your life to begin planning. Your high school years are the optimal time to map out your career, for maximum success. Here’s how:
Think about your desired lifestyle
This is the fun part of career planning, and yet it is still one of the most crucial steps. When thinking about your desired lifestyle, ask yourself questions such as… Where do I want to live after graduation? What types of things do I want to learn? What type of work schedule do I want? What type of pay and benefits do I want from my future job? What would I like to do with my free time? Questions like these will help you determine what kind of job you may want to consider in terms of income, location, and work schedule. It will also help you figure out if you’ll have ample time to do the things you love outside of work. If you know that you would like to someday own a home, work remotely, and travel a few times a year, then outlining these things as part of your life plan will help lead you to these opportunities.
Start career research early
Once you are clear on your desired lifestyle, you can begin seeking out careers that allow for this plan. There are a variety of ways you can research careers. One is by using online tools, such as the “Occupation Outlook Handbook,” where you can browse hundreds of occupations and their details, including salary, projected job growth, education, and skills requirements. Take your career research a step further and check out YouTube videos on “a day in the life of a particular career” or other informational videos that explore the career in-depth. If you know someone in the field you’re considering, talk with that person about the pros and cons of the job. The more information you can gather, the better.
Job Shadow or Volunteer
Job shadowing is one of the best ways to use your time towards career preparation in high school. High school is the ideal time to job shadow because you typically have more availability now, as a student, than you will when you begin working. To get started, refer to the list of careers you have been researching and that are of interest to you. If you know someone in the field, ask that person for a job shadowing opportunity. If you do not know anyone in the field, check your local area for companies that offer the job of interest. You can contact the HR department directly via telephone or email. Explain that you’re a student interested in that particular career, and that you would love to spend some time following someone in the company. You may even be able to volunteer at your company of choice, which will also provide valuable experience you can use on your resume.
Create a resume
Having a resume handy will help you to be prepared for opportunities as they arise, rather than rushing to put together a resume on demand. Make sure you are frequently updating your resume to reflect your extracurricular activities, any volunteer experiences, and additional courses related to your career choice. Seek out the assistance of your school counselor or success coach to get started.
If you are uncertain about future career choices and feel like you need help in Finding Your Path, then career success coaching may be for you!
To learn more about Stride Career Prep Success Coaching for teens and what it offers, be sure to visit this site: https://www.k12.com/career-and-college-prep/career-prep/offerings-curriculum-and-services/career-coaching/
