7 answers
Marwa
Student
Patterson, California
1
Question
Updated
9430 views
What education or training do I need to fulfill my career goals for the future #spring23?
Hello to anyone who's reading. I'm a sophomore in high school and I currently don't know what major to pick even though I still have 2 years ahead but I think it is a good time to start thinking about what I like doing and what I should pursue because I am passionate about my work to make the best out of it and really want to find a job that fits in. #Spring23
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7 answers
Tara T Cortez
Disable
33
Answers
Autryville, North Carolina
Updated
Tara T’s Answer
CHOOSING A COLLEGE CAREER AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
Start by creating a list of your interests, passions, and potential career paths. Research the required GPA for colleges offering programs in those fields. Consider the courses you'll need to take in both high school and college to pursue your chosen career. Investigate the job market for your chosen field in your area to help narrow down your options.
When selecting a college, ensure it offers the necessary courses for your chosen career. Take into account expenses such as housing, commuting, tuition, textbooks, technology, and other costs. Does the college offer scholarships, grants, or financial aid? Before taking out a student loan, consider the expected repayment timeline and interest rate. Additionally, research the college's job placement rate, as you don't want to struggle with student loan debt and have difficulty finding employment. We hope this advice is helpful to you.
Start by creating a list of your interests, passions, and potential career paths. Research the required GPA for colleges offering programs in those fields. Consider the courses you'll need to take in both high school and college to pursue your chosen career. Investigate the job market for your chosen field in your area to help narrow down your options.
When selecting a college, ensure it offers the necessary courses for your chosen career. Take into account expenses such as housing, commuting, tuition, textbooks, technology, and other costs. Does the college offer scholarships, grants, or financial aid? Before taking out a student loan, consider the expected repayment timeline and interest rate. Additionally, research the college's job placement rate, as you don't want to struggle with student loan debt and have difficulty finding employment. We hope this advice is helpful to you.
Becky Haluska
Content Developer
57
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Becky’s Answer
There are plenty of resources to help you identify the areas you'd like to invest time in learning more about so you can narrow your focus on your future. Two tools that can give you more of an idea are interest inventories and personality tests. The tools below both provide a list of careers that others with the same personality and interests as you have found fulfillment in doing. When you have a short list of career ideas for your future, look at the career information website below. It provides information about specific careers including educational, skills, and knowledge requirements, employment trends, current job openings posted online and more.
The links below offer some helpful online inventories.
Interest Inventory: https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
Personality Test: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Career Information: https://www.onetonline.org/
Best of luck
The links below offer some helpful online inventories.
Interest Inventory: https://www.mynextmove.org/explore/ip
Personality Test: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Career Information: https://www.onetonline.org/
Best of luck
Mikel Anne Aldrich
Technical Trainer/Instructional Designer
6
Answers
Edmonds, Washington
Updated
Mikel Anne’s Answer
I was in the same boat at your age. In fact, when I graduated high school, I still didn't know what I wanted to major in. Luckily, smaller colleges often offer an AA (Associate of Arts) degree. That's what I did. So, tuition for those first two years was much lower at the community college and also allowed me to focus on liberal arts and general education courses that helped my figure out my path by the end of my sophomore year in college. And, you may even decide that the AA is all you need/want before you start your career.
Thank you so much for the advice.
Marwa
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6183
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Marwa,
Exploring Your Interests
As a sophomore in high school, it’s great that you’re already thinking about your future career goals. It’s important to explore your interests and passions to determine the right path for you. Here are some steps you can take to help you identify potential career paths:
Self-Assessment: Start by assessing your interests, strengths, and values. What subjects do you enjoy the most? What activities make you feel fulfilled? Understanding your own preferences can help guide you towards a suitable career.
Career Exploration: Research different careers and industries to gain a better understanding of the opportunities available. You can speak to professionals in various fields, attend career fairs, or even participate in job shadowing experiences to get a firsthand look at different jobs.
Extracurricular Activities: Engaging in extracurricular activities related to your potential areas of interest can provide valuable insights and practical experience. Whether it’s joining a science club, participating in community service, or taking up an internship, these experiences can help you narrow down your choices.
Educational Pathways: Consider the educational requirements for the careers that interest you. Some professions may require specific degrees or certifications, while others may place more emphasis on skills and experience.
Education and Training for Future Career Goals
Once you’ve identified your career goals, it’s important to understand the education and training required to pursue those paths. Here are some general guidelines for common types of careers:
College Degrees: Many careers require a bachelor’s degree as a minimum educational requirement. If you have specific fields in mind, such as engineering, nursing, computer science, or business administration, researching the typical educational pathways for those fields is essential.
Vocational Training: Some careers may not require a traditional college degree but instead call for vocational training or certification programs. Examples include electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and medical assistants.
Professional Licensure: Certain professions, such as lawyers, doctors, architects, and engineers, require professional licensure or certification beyond a standard degree program. Understanding the licensing requirements early on can help you plan your educational path accordingly.
Graduate Education: For careers in fields like law, medicine, psychology, or academia, pursuing graduate education such as a master’s or doctoral degree may be necessary.
Skill Development: In addition to formal education, developing relevant skills through internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs can enhance your qualifications and make you more competitive in your chosen field.
Remember that the specific education and training needed for your future career goals will depend on the industry and profession you choose to pursue. It’s also important to stay open-minded and flexible as you continue exploring different options.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS provides comprehensive data on employment trends, occupational outlooks, and educational requirements for various careers. It is a highly reputable source for understanding the educational pathways associated with different professions.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): NACE offers valuable insights into career development and educational preparation for students entering the workforce. Their research and resources can help students make informed decisions about their future careers.
The College Board: The College Board provides information on college planning, including guidance on choosing majors and understanding the educational requirements for different fields of study. Their resources can be helpful for high school students considering their post-secondary education options.
In my autobiography section you will find the answers to which substances may increase your academic activity and acumen through the correct foods and diet. You may find that if you were deficient in several nutrients concurrently your academic expertise will improve so much. Some students even report twice the work done in half the time.
Exploring Your Interests
As a sophomore in high school, it’s great that you’re already thinking about your future career goals. It’s important to explore your interests and passions to determine the right path for you. Here are some steps you can take to help you identify potential career paths:
Self-Assessment: Start by assessing your interests, strengths, and values. What subjects do you enjoy the most? What activities make you feel fulfilled? Understanding your own preferences can help guide you towards a suitable career.
Career Exploration: Research different careers and industries to gain a better understanding of the opportunities available. You can speak to professionals in various fields, attend career fairs, or even participate in job shadowing experiences to get a firsthand look at different jobs.
Extracurricular Activities: Engaging in extracurricular activities related to your potential areas of interest can provide valuable insights and practical experience. Whether it’s joining a science club, participating in community service, or taking up an internship, these experiences can help you narrow down your choices.
Educational Pathways: Consider the educational requirements for the careers that interest you. Some professions may require specific degrees or certifications, while others may place more emphasis on skills and experience.
Education and Training for Future Career Goals
Once you’ve identified your career goals, it’s important to understand the education and training required to pursue those paths. Here are some general guidelines for common types of careers:
College Degrees: Many careers require a bachelor’s degree as a minimum educational requirement. If you have specific fields in mind, such as engineering, nursing, computer science, or business administration, researching the typical educational pathways for those fields is essential.
Vocational Training: Some careers may not require a traditional college degree but instead call for vocational training or certification programs. Examples include electricians, plumbers, HVAC technicians, and medical assistants.
Professional Licensure: Certain professions, such as lawyers, doctors, architects, and engineers, require professional licensure or certification beyond a standard degree program. Understanding the licensing requirements early on can help you plan your educational path accordingly.
Graduate Education: For careers in fields like law, medicine, psychology, or academia, pursuing graduate education such as a master’s or doctoral degree may be necessary.
Skill Development: In addition to formal education, developing relevant skills through internships, volunteer work, or part-time jobs can enhance your qualifications and make you more competitive in your chosen field.
Remember that the specific education and training needed for your future career goals will depend on the industry and profession you choose to pursue. It’s also important to stay open-minded and flexible as you continue exploring different options.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question:
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): The BLS provides comprehensive data on employment trends, occupational outlooks, and educational requirements for various careers. It is a highly reputable source for understanding the educational pathways associated with different professions.
National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE): NACE offers valuable insights into career development and educational preparation for students entering the workforce. Their research and resources can help students make informed decisions about their future careers.
The College Board: The College Board provides information on college planning, including guidance on choosing majors and understanding the educational requirements for different fields of study. Their resources can be helpful for high school students considering their post-secondary education options.
In my autobiography section you will find the answers to which substances may increase your academic activity and acumen through the correct foods and diet. You may find that if you were deficient in several nutrients concurrently your academic expertise will improve so much. Some students even report twice the work done in half the time.
Mara Allen, PMP
4
Answers
San Ramon, California
Updated
Mara’s Answer
I highly recommend considering dual enrollment, allowing you to experience both high school and college courses simultaneously. By taking some essential classes now, you'll gain valuable insight into the demands of college-level work while also exploring subjects that spark your passion. Additionally, consider seeking out a summer internship in a field that excites you, providing further inspiration and motivation for your educational journey.
Emina Hastings
Human Resources, Employee Relations Consultant
9
Answers
Des Moines, Iowa
Updated
Emina’s Answer
Hello!
Thank you for your question. Enjoy these next two years of High School, it will go by fast! Know it is fine if you haven't figured out your future career yet – it'll come to you in due time.
My suggestion is to try an internship, a summer job, or volunteering at a place that captures your interest. For instance, my own career is in Human Resources, but during high school and college summer breaks, I worked at various places (serving meals at a retirement home, working at Panera Bread, being a salesperson at a clothing store, nannying/babysitting, and being a student worker on campus). None of those summer jobs were directly related to Human Resources, but they helped me discover my passion for working with people. This eventually led me to my career as I grew older.
I hope this advice is helpful!
Emina
Thank you for your question. Enjoy these next two years of High School, it will go by fast! Know it is fine if you haven't figured out your future career yet – it'll come to you in due time.
My suggestion is to try an internship, a summer job, or volunteering at a place that captures your interest. For instance, my own career is in Human Resources, but during high school and college summer breaks, I worked at various places (serving meals at a retirement home, working at Panera Bread, being a salesperson at a clothing store, nannying/babysitting, and being a student worker on campus). None of those summer jobs were directly related to Human Resources, but they helped me discover my passion for working with people. This eventually led me to my career as I grew older.
I hope this advice is helpful!
Emina
Hello, thank you for your feedback. Yes, you are right those jobs you took didn't relate to Human Resources but it was a good choice by even work at other places so you can get the full experience of what it is like working with people.
Marwa
Dana McGrown, M.S.ED., PMP®
Project Manager
4
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Dana’s Answer
In addition to the other answers, you may want to look into Dual Enrollment with your high school and maybe a local college to gain college credit and high school credit. I would probably focus on your general studies first to satisfy your high school credit, but maybe there is a way to take a course in something you maybe passionate about to see if that is a possible career choice for you.
Dual enrollment, also referred to as dual credit, allows current high school students to take college-level classes. If the student passes the class, it will count for both high school and college credit.
The types of dual credit classes offered varies by school district. Many high schools include introductory college coursework in subjects like Humanities, English, Math, Social Studies and Science.
Most dual enrollment classes are taken at the student’s high school, a local community college or online. Home-schooled students may also take dual credit courses if they meet state requirements.
Dual enrollment classes are available for students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, Associate’s degree, or Career and Technical Education certificates.
Dual enrollment, also referred to as dual credit, allows current high school students to take college-level classes. If the student passes the class, it will count for both high school and college credit.
The types of dual credit classes offered varies by school district. Many high schools include introductory college coursework in subjects like Humanities, English, Math, Social Studies and Science.
Most dual enrollment classes are taken at the student’s high school, a local community college or online. Home-schooled students may also take dual credit courses if they meet state requirements.
Dual enrollment classes are available for students pursuing a Bachelor’s degree, Associate’s degree, or Career and Technical Education certificates.