One point out of society’s very long list of strange and stressful demands is that high schoolers should have a clear picture of what they want to do when they finish and for the rest of their lives.
It is a lot to ask of someone who doesn’t have a fully developed prefrontal cortex and is still grappling with trying not to burn pasta or leave moldy mugs in their room for weeks on end. It is also a lot to ask for someone who is described as a fully formed adult!
If you are lucky enough, the rest of your life is a long time, and choosing what kind of career or job you would like can feel overwhelming.
Here is what you can bear in mind while you go through this period of change.
Good Grades Are a Safety Net
If you are approaching your exams and looking at college choices, and you still are not sure which route you want to go down, then the only thing you need to focus on is doing the best you can with your grades. The better your grades are, the more choices will be available. Even if you don’t decide to go to college immediately and are pinning it for a later date, getting good grades in the bag will make your life a little easier than if you don’t.
You can also check out the college acceptance calculator at Campus Reel to find out what you need if you do have a college in mind.
Start Self- Reflecting
Don’t rush into anything you feel might be the wrong fit for you, especially as course fees are so high. Use this time to reflect on what you are good at, what you might enjoy, and what will give you the salary you are looking for.
Using a Venn diagram can be useful for determining where all three of these factors lie in the same job role and might surprise you with career paths you hadn’t thought about before!
Try New Things
When you have been at school for several years, you can’t be expected to know what you want to do for the rest of your life when all you have done is answer to teachers. Your main master plan was to sneak out of the house for a house party your parents said no to.
This is a time to start experimenting in areas you are interested in with work experience, apprenticeships, and part-time jobs. If you are lucky enough to have supportive parents, and you don’t have rent to pay, you can use the time after school to explore any potential ideas, which could even include starting your own business.
For those who do need to get into work asap, temp jobs are an excellent way to explore different sectors without having to commit so you can see what you enjoy and are good at the most.
