Amy writes:
I am a senior in high school this fall, and I have college applications to fill out right around the corner.. There are so many career options to think about and I don’t want to jump into anything I can’t handle … or choose a school just to find out that it’s not what I want to do. I’m very confused. Can you help?
The Career Doctor responds:
You are at a critical junction in your life right now. Things may change drastically over the next few years, but as a senior in high school you are certainly being asked to focus on three critical choices: career, college, and major.
As you go about making your choices, remember that no decision is set in stone. If you end up not liking the college you attend — or it does not have the major you want to pursue — you can transfer to a different college. And many, many college students graduate with a different major than the one they start with. And as far as careers go, experts now predict that folks graduating from college will change their careers — not jobs, but careers — at least five times over their lives as their interests change and develop and as new careers are developed.
So, given all this information, here are a few things you can do.
First, take the time to think about what you like to do; dream and imagine ideal careers. There are so many opportunities, so many different types of jobs and careers in a wide variety of industries — and there are also other career paths that are just emerging. Even if you are fairly sure of a career choice, take the time to explore similar (or even vastly different) careers. Examine your likes and dislikes and take a few career assessment tests.
Second, work, volunteer, or otherwise gain experience. The more experiences you are exposed to, the more options will open to you as you search out careers. There are even a growing number of internship opportunities for high school students. Seek work and volunteer experiences in and out of school. And from a practical standpoint, work experience looks good on college applications — and on future job applications and resumes.
Third, talk with as many adults as possible about careers and college. The best way to find out about different careers is to ask people — family, neighbors, friends, teachers, counselors — to tell you about their career and college experiences. If you have not already, begin to build a network of adults who know you and are willing to assist you in your educational and career endeavors. And for careers that truly interest you, consider asking each person if you can shadow him/her at work.
Read more details about these three things — and seven more — in my latest article published on Quintessential Careers: 10 Things for High-School Students to Remember.
