GEAR UP

undecided

Undecided? What are
my options?

Students have many options after high school, including apprenticeships, military service, on-the-job training programs, community college certificates, two-year degrees, and four-year degrees. Postsecondary education includes all these things.

 

Keeping Your Options Open

There are many ways to continue education beyond high school. Most family-wage jobs require education or training after high school—just one year of education or training after high school can increase lifetime earnings. On average, college graduates have more jobs to choose from and lower unemployment rates than high school graduates. The type of career your child is interested in pursuing will help determine what kind of degree and school to explore.

Many colleges typically offer four kinds of degrees: two-year (or associate), undergraduate (or bachelor’s), graduate (or master’s), and doctoral or professional degrees.

FOR EXAMPLE:

1 Apprenticeship

A warehouse worker may need an apprenticeship, which can earn them a Journey-Level Certificate and take two years at Bucher Aerospace Corporation in Everett, WA.

2 Community College

A licensed practical nurse may receive an associate degree at a Community College like South Puget Sound CC.

3 Public or Private 4-Year College or University

to pursue graphic design, one might want to obtain a bachelor’s degree at a 4-Year school such as Central Washington University or Gonzaga University.

 

How Do I Identify Goals?

An excellent place to start exploring your interests and goals is with a career interest and skills inventory. That can help you decide what courses you could take in high school and may help you identify education and career goals. It is okay if your interests, goals, and needs change over time. Extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, classes, job shadowing, or volunteer experience can help us decide our interests and skills.

STUDENTS SHOULD ASK THEMSELVES:

  • Who do I want to be?
  • What am I good at?
  • What do I love to do?
  • What challenges me?
  • What have always wanted to try?
  • What interests me?
  • What is my favorite class?
  • If I could do any job for a
    day, what would it be?

An excellent place to start exploring your interests and goals is with a career interest and skills inventory. That can help you decide what courses you could take in high school and may help you identify education and career goals. It is okay if your interests, goals, and needs change over time. Extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, classes, job shadowing, or volunteer experience can help us decide our interests and skills.

Pathway Career Focus Sample Jobs
Health and Medicine Working to help people Dental Hygienist
Physical Therapist
Surgeon
Environment and Nature Working with and managing resources in
the natural world		 Fish/Wildlife Manager
Marine Biologist
Water Quality Technician
Creative/Fine Arts Using ideas and information to express
personal perspectives and communicate
with people.		 Graphic Designer
Film and Video Editor
Interior Designer
Engineering and Technology Working with objects, data, and ideas to
create, move, change, operate, or build
things.		 Aircraft Mechanic
Computer Programmer
Plumber
Business and Management Working with people and information to
lead and manage the delivery of products
and services to the market.		 Accountant
Lawyer
Real Estate Agent
Public Services Working to help people and solve social
problems		 Librarian
Police Officer
Social Worker

Narrow Down Options

Knowing your interests and skill areas and staying flexible can be helpful when thinking about the future. To help you decide your interest areas, consider the following options:

 

  • Volunteer in areas that interest you.
  • Look into internships or job-shadow for a day.
  • Conduct research at the library or
    online.
  • Find a mentor.
  • Attend college and/or career fairs.
  • Visit a campus.
  • Speaking with college representatives or recruiters who visit the high school.
  • List options and what criteria are important to you (cost, distance, etc.).
graduation-hat

Find out about Scholarships:

Explore our curated database of scholarships, which includes opportunities tailored for various backgrounds, interests, and academic achievements. We've got you covered whether you're seeking merit-based awards, need-based assistance, or specialized scholarships.

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