Grand Finale for High School Grads

High school seniors are about to say goodbye to their high schools and move forward along their journey in life. Each student going their own unique way, brings many seniors excitement. But how sure are these students in the choices they have already made or are about to make for their futures? 

It’s very common for students to go off to college or a career after high school and not really know what they want to do. As a high school freshman, I was a criminal justice major. I wanted to be a criminal attorney. How did I pick that career? It was simple. I liked detective television shows (Law and Order), and I figured I’d make a lot of money being a lawyer, so I thought it was a perfect match.  Come to find out, it was the worst match ever. I hated all of the legal classes, and I was scared to even work in a field that dealt with crime.

Then I became a journalism major because I loved to write. I did work in that field for a few years before becoming a professor and then a business owner, but it was well worth the experience. However, changing majors towards the end of my senior year cost my single mother a lot more money and cost me a lot more time. I ended up taking classes throughout an entire summer to make up for the change.

My story is common. The only twist is that some college students just stick with the distasteful major, and then try to find a job in something else upon graduation.

What can you do avoid this pitfall as a high school graduate? Take these three tips to help you along your way:

1. Network and get to know people in the career field you are choosing. Asking them questions about their careers will give you the inside scoop of what it’s really going to be like in that field.

2. If you are unsure that you’ve chosen the right major, change to undecided and take your required classes in the first two years of school. Mix in a few electives with your schedule and try some classes out.

3. Hire a career coach.  A full assessment of yourself and what fulfills you will be helpful for your career and all the other areas of your life as well.