How to Start Exploring Careers While You’re Still in High School
High school is often described as a time for self-discovery—a phase where you figure out who you are, what you love, and where you might fit in the world. While this can feel overwhelming, especially when adults keep asking, “What do you want to do after graduation?”, exploring careers doesn’t have to be stressful. In fact, starting early gives you a unique advantage: time to experiment, learn, and adjust your plans. Here’s how to approach career exploration while balancing homework, extracurriculars, and teenage life.
1. Start with Self-Reflection
Before diving into job boards or college majors, take a step back to understand yourself. What activities make you lose track of time? Do you enjoy solving puzzles, creating art, organizing events, or helping others? These clues can point toward careers that align with your natural strengths and passions.
– Interest Inventories: Free online tools like MyNextMove or 16Personalities offer quizzes to identify your interests and personality traits. For example, if you score high in “social” and “artistic” categories, careers like teaching, graphic design, or event planning might be worth exploring.
– Strengths and Weaknesses: Ask teachers, mentors, or family members what skills they’ve noticed in you. Maybe you’re a great listener, a problem-solver, or a tech whiz. These observations can highlight career paths you hadn’t considered.
2. Research Careers Like a Detective
Once you have a general idea of your interests, dig deeper into specific fields. But don’t just rely on Google—get creative with your research:
– Shadow Professionals: Ask family friends or local businesses if you can spend a day observing their work. For instance, shadowing a nurse might reveal the fast-paced, emotionally rewarding side of healthcare that you won’t find in a textbook.
– Informational Interviews: Reach out to people in careers that intrigue you. Most professionals love talking about their jobs! Ask questions like, “What does a typical day look like?” or “What’s the most challenging part of your role?”
– YouTube and Podcasts: Follow creators who share “day in the life” videos or industry insights. Channels like CareerGirls or podcasts like How I Built This offer real-world perspectives.
3. Test-Drive Careers Through Experiences
Reading about careers is helpful, but hands-on experience is priceless. High school offers countless low-stakes opportunities to “try on” jobs:
– Part-Time Jobs: Working as a retail associate, tutor, or camp counselor teaches responsibility, teamwork, and customer service—skills valued in any field. Bonus: You might discover you love (or hate) working with the public.
– Internships and Volunteering: Many nonprofits and small businesses welcome teen volunteers. For example, helping at an animal shelter could spark an interest in veterinary medicine, while designing posters for a charity event might ignite a passion for marketing.
– Clubs and Competitions: Join robotics clubs, debate teams, or coding competitions to explore STEM fields. Theater groups or school newspapers can reveal talents in communication or creative arts.
4. Leverage School Resources
Your high school is a treasure trove of career-building tools—if you know where to look:
– Guidance Counselors: These experts can connect you with career assessments, college fairs, or alumni networks. Don’t wait until senior year to schedule a meeting!
– Career Days: Attend school-sponsored events where professionals from various industries share their journeys. Come prepared with questions about education requirements or industry trends.
– Dual Enrollment Programs: Some schools let students take college courses or earn certifications (e.g., CPR, Adobe design tools) while still in high school. These credentials can give you a head start in competitive fields.
5. Build Skills That Matter in Any Career
While exploring specific industries, don’t overlook “soft skills” that employers universally seek:
– Communication: Practice writing emails, giving presentations, or explaining complex ideas simply. Even a part-time job at a coffee shop hones your ability to talk to diverse groups.
– Adaptability: Embrace projects that push you out of your comfort zone. Learning to code, for instance, teaches problem-solving and resilience—traits needed in tech, healthcare, or entrepreneurship.
– Time Management: Juggling school, hobbies, and a part-time job? Use planners or apps like Trello to prioritize tasks. This skill will serve you well in college and beyond.
6. Stay Open to Change
Here’s a secret: Most adults don’t end up in the career they envisioned at 16—and that’s okay! The goal of career exploration isn’t to lock yourself into a single path but to gather data about what excites and fulfills you.
– Revisit Your Goals: Your interests might shift as you grow. A sophomore passionate about gaming could develop a fascination with psychology or business by senior year. Allow yourself to pivot.
– Learn from “Failures”: Hated your internship at a law firm? That’s valuable intel! Now you know to cross litigation off your list and explore other legal roles, like mediation or compliance.
Final Thoughts: Your Career Journey Starts Now
Exploring careers in high school isn’t about having all the answers—it’s about asking the right questions. What problems do you want to solve? What environments make you thrive? By combining self-awareness, research, and real-world experimentation, you’ll build confidence in your ability to navigate the ever-changing job market.
Remember, every small step counts. Whether it’s updating your LinkedIn profile, attending a college workshop, or simply chatting with a relative about their career, you’re laying the groundwork for a future that aligns with your passions. So take a deep breath, embrace the curiosity that makes high school such an exciting time, and start exploring!
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