Deciding what you want to do for the rest of your life is a huge decision that everyone needs to make eventually. This choice should be yours and no one else’s. However, when you’re in high school, you might need some guidance on making this decision. This is where career counseling for high school students comes in handy for you.
Career counseling helps high schoolers choose suitable courses and institutions they want to pursue, as aligned with their abilities and interests. A career counselor in your school counseling office can talk you through your career choices and set you up for success in your career exploration. Keep reading to learn how career counseling helps you navigate various options until you find your career path.
Why Is Career Counseling for High School Students Important?
Career counseling is crucial for high school students because it helps them make assessments that lead them down the right career path. Counseling helps a person learn certain habits that one should know before becoming a college student and having a successful career. A Stratford study showed that career counseling positively influenced students’ choice and change of college programs.
Many paths to a bright future depend on your decision early in your academic journey. This is why students in high school, and even middle school, need to understand the concept of career planning and career readiness. The earlier you begin, the better. So it’s important to envision your career journey now.
A Step-by-Step Guide for Beginning Your Career Journey as High Schoolers
1. Write Down Your Career Goals
The first step in effective career planning is to have a clear and well-defined primary goal, and writing your career goal down is the best way to do this. Not only does this make you think thoroughly about career possibilities, but it also gives you a defined destination that holds you accountable. This accountability would help you push yourself to reach those goals.
2. Take a Career Quiz
Career quizzes help you find careers that best suit your personality and future goals. They draw your attention to the right questions when deciding your career path. These quizzes can only make suggestions based on your subjective interests. This is why consulting a career counselor is still important to validate quiz results. Taking quizzes with reliable results and valid measurements can help you find career possibilities that fit you, giving you reasonable options.
3. Talk to Your High School Career Counselor
One of the best things you can do for your career readiness is to take advantage of the professional counselor in your high school. They can give formal career assessments and they can assess you more personally to provide the best career advice. If you’re planning on going to college, it’s always good to seek career guidance from a professional first, even if you’re only in middle school. They can help put together different career profiles to see which type of job is the best fit for you.
4. Find Out What Education You Need
There are various paths and modes of education to explore, depending on the career you want. Some careers require a college degree like a bachelor’s or master’s degree. This is why it’s vital to figure out your career options before choosing a college major. It’s essential to make sure your education matches your goals.
Matching Your Education Path to Your Career Path: Postsecondary Education Options After High School
Once you’ve decided on a specific career field, the next step is choosing your educational path. After high school, the education you receive should give you skills that would cause employers to hire you. These skills should create career opportunities for you. Choosing the right institution and form of education is an important step to becoming career-ready.
Community College
A community college is an institute that offers workforce education and college transfer opportunities. Many community colleges don’t offer bachelor’s degrees, which typically take four years to acquire. However, you can get certificates and associate degrees in your field of study, which can take two years, with the option of transferring into a university to earn a four-year degree.
Don’t totally rule out community colleges when sending out college applications before knowing what they have to offer, as there are great community colleges in the US. Increase your preparedness by finding out if there are community colleges that offer programs that are in alignment with your career aspirations.
University
Universities are the most popular and most respected institutions to pave a path for future careers. Both private and public universities provide higher education and crucial career resources in several career paths. Most high-paying jobs require degrees that universities offer, and the more prestigious the university, the bigger the opportunities.
Universities give clear pathways to full-time careers in various fields such as liberal arts, science, medicine, and law. You could have a successful career as a lawyer, doctor, or engineer. You could also choose from many other high-paying jobs if you have an education from a university. You could also decide to attend graduate school for more credibility.
Vocational or Trade School
A vocational school is an academic institution that focuses on teaching with a hands-on approach to getting certain jobs done. A vocational degree is quite different from a bachelor’s degree, as only select jobs require a vocational degree. A vocational education ensures that you receive career training pertaining to the practical aspects of a specific job.
A vocational school is a good option for hospitality and trade jobs, where hands-on skills are necessary. If you aspire to pursue these careers, a vocational degree would be more advantageous and less time-consuming than a bachelor’s degree.
Coding Bootcamp
Coding bootcamps train students for technical careers, such as programming and software development, and use various coding languages. Coding bootcamps offer the opportunity to learn coding skills that are on par with college-educated programmers. Coding bootcamps serve as a career preparation school and give practical experiences for students to use directly in the field.
There are many university-backed coding bootcamps, further emphasizing their legitimacy. Some universities even partner with certain coding bootcamps, which allows learners to choose between the traditional or fast-tracked programs. Coding bootcamps are great for tech jobs of all spheres, whether backend or front end.
Free Career Counseling Resources for High School Students
Stoodnt, Inc.
Stoodnt, Inc. is an EdTech company dedicated to guiding potential lifelong learners to the right college programs and professional careers. Stoodnt offers a free career questionnaire to help you discover your talents, explore your career options, and make a decision. The goal of this company is to help students have a smoother college admissions process with its comprehensive career toolbox.
Careerfitter
Careerfitter aims to help guidance counselors everywhere with their approach to career counseling to better support their students in getting to college. It offers a free career guide quiz. The test is easy, takes about 10 to 15 minutes, and is very effective in selecting a career education program for students. It has career information materials that give students all they need to know.
123test
123test offers a free career aptitude test that suggests careers that best fit your personality. After taking the test and providing honest answers, you’ll receive a comprehensive result. This gives you an evaluation as well as career information that suits your personality. 123test provides a list of professions students can choose from and helps them gain clarity if they find themselves standing at a career crossroads.
Career Exploration: High-Paying Careers to Consider After High School
Regardless of the career path that you choose or the institution where you receive your education, you will find a job in your field that pays well. Using some career search tools, we have put together some high-paying jobs that we believe will help you make an educated decision.
| Job Title | Average Salary | Job Outlook | Education Requirements | Highest-Paying States |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Surgeon | $251,650 | 3% | Medical Doctor Degree | Alaska, Kansas, Minnesota |
| Radiation Therapist | $86,850 | 9% | Certificate Program, Associate Degree, or Bachelor’s Degree | California, New York, Oregon |
| Psychologist | $82,180 | 8% | Master’s or Doctoral Degree | California, Hawaii, Louisiana |
| Web Developer | $77,200 | 13% | High School Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science | Washington, California, Georgia |
| Boilermaker | $65,360 | -1% | High School Diploma | Connecticut, New York, Minnesota |
Surgeon
Being a surgeon is a high-profile job that involves taking care of injuries, diseases, and deformities in patients. Job seekers looking for a career in medicine typically need several degrees, with surgeons needing to reach the medical doctor level before they are able to fully practice their profession. However, it’s well worth it for many as they can get large earnings in the medical field.
Radiation Therapist
A radiation therapist is part of the team responsible for treating cancer patients with radiation. While those who have the best chance of getting this job are those with bachelor’s degrees, you can become a radiation therapist by passing a certificate program.
Psychologist
Psychologists study how people relate to one another or their environment and help them improve their mental health and emotional health. You need to get a graduate-level education to be a psychologist. A master’s degree would be good for roles such as school career counselor.
Web Developer
A web developer is responsible for building, managing, and maintaining a website. Computer science, where web development belongs, is a broad industry that builds the future of society. This makes web developers in high demand, more so than other career fields. Bachelor’s degree holders have the best chance at getting this job, though it’s possible to also get it by earning a certificate.
Boilermaker
A boilermaker is a tradesperson who makes, installs, and repairs boilers. Boilers are made of steel, iron, or copper and are intended to hold hot gas and liquids. The construction industry is a broad industry open to job seekers who often do not have any higher education. The only education requirement for a boilermaker job is a high school diploma.
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School Counseling: Get the Help You Need to Make a Career Decision
Everyone’s future depends on their decision today, and that sentiment is no less true when it comes to your career. Whatever college aspirations or field of study you’re interested in, it’s always wise to seek proper counsel when making career plans and decisions. School counselors are caring adults who know their craft and want to help your future.
Going from adolescence into adulthood is a complex transition, but a pivotal one that you should handle with care. A career coach listens to students’ experiences and helps sort through any questions or issues to help them have a brighter future in their chosen careers. If you want to make a wise college decision, give the counseling process a chance. Yours might be one of the next career coaching success stories waiting to be told.
Career Counseling for High School Students FAQ
You can find the best career quizzes by understanding what makes a good career quiz and applying that standard. A career quiz is an indispensable resource for finding the right work in the current job market. A good quiz will be both reliable and valid, with solid career assessment resources and a comprehensive database of jobs for informational purposes.
If your dream job requires a college degree, then you should go to a university. The truth, however, is that college isn’t for everyone, which is why using career counseling services is important. Educational resources outside universities can lead to great careers, or even to earning a skill certificate through an intensive program. You should speak to your school career counselors for guidance on your career options.
Yes, you can get a job with your high school diploma. Many job options only require a high school diploma for people who have career plans but don’t plan to pursue higher education. After speaking to available counselors for their advice, completing only your high school level education still leaves you with plenty of job options in almost any professional organization.
Tell your school career counselor any interests or worries you have about a career that interests you. You should feel comfortable raising your career concerns with your school career counselors because it helps them to help you better. School career counselors usually help with more than career fairs. Many students also come to them with personal and emotional health problems. They have the communication skills required to listen well and give advice.
About us: Career Karma is a platform designed to help job seekers find, research, and connect with job training programs to advance their careers. Learn about the CK publication.
