In high school? Time to start planning your career

High school students often have plenty of things to worry about. Between your grades, your friends, your family, and maybe a job . . .  career planning can pretty quickly sink to the bottom of your list.

But think about this: you’ll probably spend a large amount of your adult life working. Your future happiness and success may largely depend on your career and your job satisfaction. So any time you spend now planning your career will pay off in the future.

What can you do?

  • First, take the time to identify your interests. This will help you decide on a career and education plan—and that will help you stay on track, and make better work and life choices.
  • Explore careers to help figure out which one may be the best fit for your interests and skills—as well as which ones will pay enough for you to afford the lifestyle you want.
  • Once you have an idea of the career fields you’d like to explore, you can find education options to help you get there.

How will it help you?

  • Taking the time to make a career and education plan can help you avoid making hasty decisions and costly mistakes.
  • For the most part, more education means more money; when you plan ahead, you can achieve higher levels of education.
  • You can end up in a job that suits your unique personality—in a career field you like!

Author Kathy Kirchoff is a CareerOneStop staff member.  Leave her a question or comment below about your own career planning process.

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