• Options! Students have many options after high school, such as apprenticeships, on-the-job training programs, community college certificates, two-year degrees, four-year degrees, and more.
• New experiences, people, and places! Whether your teen goes to a nearby community college, a state school a few hours away, or a private school in another state, they can meet new people and pursue subjects that interest them.
• Money. Education pays!

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 can increase lifetime earnings. On average, college graduates have more jobs to choose from and lower unemployment rates than high school graduates.

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, and even a class, job shadow, or volunteer experience can help us decide our interests and skills.

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.