College & Career Prep
What Should I Do After High School?
Deciding what to do after high school can be difficult because there are so many options available to you. The following information will help you understand each of your options. Please read the information below and come talk to Mrs. Taylor about your plans. She can offer advice on who to talk with and help you work toward a plan that works best for your individual needs.
There are a few different ways to continue your education and develop the work skills you will need to be successful. Listed below are decisions you can make to develop your potential and pursue future career goals.
Workforce
Entering the workforce full-time right out of high school allows students to begin earning a paycheck immediately. This allows young adults to begin saving for retirement at an early age.
Many occupations are currently experiencing critically low personnel levels and a shortage of highly skilled workers. The Department of Elementary and Secondary Education has compiled a list of information that can be utilized to identify these careers and how to get started in these occupations. Please refer to the following link to access this information: https://dese.mo.gov/college-career-readiness/school-counseling.
College/Tech School
Colleges and Universities offer both 2-year and 4-year degrees for those students interested in higher education. Many careers require a minimum of a 4-year Bachelor's degree to enter the field.
Technical schools offer programs that fast track students toward specific fields (i.e. culinary arts, CNA, dental hygienist, carpentry, etc.). These fields typically require a certification or licensure that can take anywhere from 6-18 months to complete.
Military
Entering the Military after high school can offer young adults many benefits. Common reasons to enter the military are to serve your country, find yourself/find your path in life, and complete college without incurring crushing debt.
The U.S. Military consists of 5 different branches: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.
Each of these branches have some sort of tuition assistance that allows students that enlist to complete a 4-year Bachelor's degree at little to no cost.