Career and College Pathways Begin Now
Your student’s sophomore year is pivotal — the decisions that are made now create a pathway to college or career choices. There are numerous options — apprenticeship, nine-month certificate, two-year degree, four-year degree, military or specialized training. It’s an ongoing process until the goal is met, but there are steps that can be taken now to determine a course.
Why Now Is the Right Time
- Use a career assessment tool.
Your student may have already completed some type of career assessment tool in school, perhaps even in middle school. What were the results? Did it prompt a discussion with you? It’s beneficial to repeat the assessment throughout high school, which is typically initiated by the high school’s counseling office. - Plan high school course progression.
Helping your student establish a career goal by the end of sophomore year is important for planning course progression and in building a foundation for the education or training that’s needed beyond high school.
What Your Student Can Do Now
- Do the research.
If only it was as simple as saying, “I guess I want to be a _______.” However, let’s explore a more systematic approach. It’s recommended that your student do the following.- Research the career to make sure it is a good match in terms of personality and capabilities.
- Research the career’s projected earnings and consider what level of lifestyle can be maintained on those earnings. Also research the future availability of jobs in that career.
- Watch descriptive videos or job shadow someone who is already working in that career.
- Objectively consider whether or not there will be a successful outcome from the courses required to prepare for that career.
- Consider electives.
High school offers an ideal setting to explore careers by taking elective course offerings, such as art, engineering, web design, mechanics, computer science, business, etc. Having this experience can provide a sampling of a career that speaks to your student’s interests and skills. - Do the work.
No matter the career choice, good grades and a competent grade point average speak volumes to a future employer. Community college admissions standards must be met to pursue a two-year associate degree or a trade that requires a certificate or license. Applying for apprenticeships may require certain proficiencies in math and comprehension. Find out what those are and match them to course selection. - Consult with knowledgeable sources.
High school counselors are highly informed about college admissions standards, as well as the tests and courses required for trade programs and apprenticeships. They may be willing to consult with professionals in higher education, industry and the military on behalf of your student. Any college’s website is a wealth of information about everything it offers. All that’s needed is a little time to delve into it.
What Your Student Can Do Later
- Complete different types of assessments.
Find out how frequently a career assessment can be completed throughout high school and involve you as the parent or mentor in the process. If not offered within your preferred timeline, try CareerOneStop, an assessment tool developed by the U.S. Department of Labor. Three different assessments — Interests, Skills, and Work Values — provide a list of matching career options, along with any required education or training as well as a description of job duties.
What You Can Do
- Determine a course of action.
As you guide your student through this decision-making process, help your student find several different resources and encourage your student’s use of them to help identify the career option that’s most suitable. Don’t feel as if you’re on your own! We’ll send you future emails to help you along the way. - Conduct your own research.
The CareerOneStop website is available and free to everyone. Take one or all three of the assessments within it and become familiar with the many different career options that exist. Compare your student’s results to your own or see how the assessment may have pinpointed a skill or interest you already knew your student had.
Next Steps
Be sure to complete the survey questions at the end of this article to be entered into the 529 deposit giveaway!
Additional references, handouts and talking points are available in the right sidebar to use at your leisure. They may prove beneficial to reference now or after receiving future emails – we’ll leave it completely up to you. Use our emails like a recipe for a successful outcome — assemble the recommended ingredients and then follow accompanying directions to add flavor and depth.