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There's more than one path forward. Find yours.
There's more than one path forward. Find yours.
After high school, you have options — more than you might think. You might go to college, start working, learn a trade, join the military, or take time to explore what comes next. There is no one “right” path. What matters is finding a path that works for your goals, interests, and future.
On this site, you can explore different options after high school and learn what each path could look like.
You do not need to have everything figured out right now. Start by exploring what interests you.
Not sure where to start? Log into Xello to explore careers, learn more about your options, and start building your plan for after high school.
Access Xello through Clever: Log into Clever and search for Xello.
Explore A Path
Explore A Path
College
College
Two-year, four-year, and everything in between
College comes in a lot of forms — community college, four-year universities, technical colleges, and online programs. Some students start at a two-year school and transfer. Some go straight to a four-year university. Some earn college credits for free before they even graduate high school through Early College programs right here in Boston.
What they all have in common: a degree or credential that opens doors to careers, higher earning potential, and lifelong learning.
Good fit if you:
Want to pursue a specific career that requires a degree
Are interested in a broad academic experience before specializing
Want to explore Early College or dual enrollment while still in high school
Boston resources to explore:
Bunker Hill Community College — Free Early College & Dual Enrollment
uAspire — Free financial aid advising
Bottom Line — Free college advising through graduation
MEFA — College planning tools and scholarship search
Career & Trades
Career & Trades
Get paid to learn. Build skills that last.
Not every career requires a four-year degree — and some of the most in-demand, well-paying careers are in the skilled trades. Electricians, HVAC technicians, healthcare workers, IT professionals, and construction managers all start somewhere. Many pathways offer apprenticeships, certifications, and on-the-job training that pay you while you learn.
You can also explore careers while still in high school through internships, school-year jobs, and career pathway programs built into BPS schools.
Good fit if you:
Want to earn money and build skills at the same time
Are interested in hands-on work in construction, technology, healthcare, or design
Want to enter the workforce quickly with a real credential
Boston resources to explore:
futureBOS — Paid school-year and summer jobs for Boston students ages 14–24
YouthBuild Boston — Free trades training + stipend + industry certifications
Boston Workforce Programs Directory - Free or reduced cost job training programs
MassHire Boston — Career workshops and YouthWorks jobs
[Button: Explore Career & Trades Resources →]
Military & Service
Military & Service
Lead, serve, and build a future.
Enlisting in one of the five branches of the U.S. military — Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard — is a postsecondary path that offers training, education benefits, travel, and a structured career from day one. ROTC programs at colleges also let you pursue a degree while preparing for military service.
National service programs like AmeriCorps offer another option: a year of community service with a living stipend and an education award you can use for college.
Good fit if you:
Are interested in leadership, discipline, and structured career advancement
Want education benefits (the GI Bill can cover college tuition)
Are drawn to service, national security, or public safety careers
Resources to explore:
Military OneSource — Information on all five branches
ROTC Programs — Available at many local colleges; ask your counselor
AmeriCorps — National service with an education award
City Year - Full-time service year with Boston Public Schools
[Button: Explore Military & Service Resources →]
Gap Year
Gap Year
A year of purpose before your next chapter.
A gap year is a structured period — usually 12 months — between high school and your next step, used intentionally for travel, work, volunteering, skill-building, or personal growth. Done well, a gap year isn't a pause on your future. It's an investment in it.
Many colleges allow you to defer enrollment for a year, so you can secure your admission and then take intentional time before you start. The key word is intentional — the best gap years have a plan.
Good fit if you:
Feel burned out and need time before committing to the next step
Want to earn money, travel, or gain real-world experience before college
Have a specific program, volunteer opportunity, or goal in mind
Resources to explore:
AmeriCorps — Paid service year + education award
College for Social Innovation — internship in a non-profit to support social change
USA Gap Year Fairs — Find accredited gap year programs
Verto Education — Gain college credit while traveling abroad
[Button: Explore Gap Year Resources →]
Not sure which path fits you?
Not sure which path fits you?
That's exactly what Xello is for. Take a career interest survey, explore career pathways that match your strengths, and start building a plan — all in one place, free for every BPS student. Login through Clever (search for xello).
Check out the Xello 2-minute videos below describing pathways after high school including 4-year college, 2-year college, Vocatoinal Training, Apprenticeships, Military, straight to work, gap year, and supported training.
What is the MyCAP?
What is the MyCAP?
MyCAP stands for My Career and Academic Plan. It is a way for you to explore who you are, what you are interested in, and what you might want to do after high school.
Starting in 6th grade, you’ll take part in MyCAP activities that help you:
Learn more about your interests, strengths, and skills
Explore careers and options after high school
Set goals and make plans for your future
See how what you are learning in school connects to what comes next
Update your plans as your interests and goals change
Your MyCAP is your plan, and it will grow with you over time. You do not need to know exactly what you want to do yet. MyCAP gives you time to explore, try things out, and build a plan that works for you.
How do I access My Career and Academic Plan?
How do I access My Career and Academic Plan?
Does the MyCAP exist outside of school?
Does the MyCAP exist outside of school?
xello
xello
Go to www.clever.com/in/bostonpublic and log into Clever.
Find and open Xello under Student Links.
On your Xello home page, look for your MyCAP activities and tasks.
Use Xello to learn more about yourself, set goals, explore careers, and plan for what comes after high school.
12 Gr: Connect Xello to Common App to apply to college and request teacher recommendations.
Talk with your school counselor!
Talk with your school counselor!
You will be completing different MyCAP experiences and tasks over the course of the school year. Check in with your school counselor and ask about when you will be working on your MyCAP this year.
Yes! MyCAP can keep going outside of school, too.
You can explore programs, activities, jobs, internships, and other experiences that help you learn more about your interests and future goals. Check out the Resources & Activities section and Partner BPS to find opportunities.
You can also use the Family MyCAP Scope & Sequence for ideas about activities and conversations you can do with your family at each grade level to support your planning.
Resources & Activities
Resources & Activities
Check out the BPS MyCAP Scope & Sequence for ideas about activities and conversations you can do with your family or community to support your MyCAP journey.
Check out the BPS MyCAP Scope & Sequence for ideas about activities and conversations you can do with your family or community to support your MyCAP journey.
College Exploration
College Exploration
Not sure where you want to go yet? Start by comparing colleges based on things like location, cost, majors, size, and campus life.
College Scorecard to compare cost, graduation rates, earnings, and more
BigFuture to search for colleges based on what matters to you
Common App College Search to see which colleges use the Common Application
Getting Ready to Apply
When you are ready to start applying, these resources can help:
26/27 Common App Essay Questions
Asking someone to write you a recommendation? Complete a Brag Sheet first so they can learn more about your strengths, experiences, and goals. Make a copy of the Brag Sheet.
Explore HSIs and HBCUs
You may also want to explore colleges and universities that were created to serve specific student communities.
Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs)
Interested in computer science? Explore opportunities through the Computing Alliance of Hispanic-Serving Institutions
Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
TheHundred-Seven.org lets you search academic programs offered by HBCUs
The Common Black College Application (CBCA) is a single online platform that lets students apply to over 60 HBCUs for one flat fee of $20 (check w/ common app where it may be free!)
Watch the HBCU webinar below to hear from alumni and current students about the HBCU experience
Career Exploration
Career Exploration
Not sure what kind of career might be a good fit for you? Start by exploring your interests, strengths, skills, and different career options.
Use the Massachusetts Career Information System (MassCIS) to explore careers and take interest and skills assessments.
Research different careers using My Next Move and O*NET Online.
Curious about well-paying jobs in Boston? Explore this interactive Boston jobs dashboard to learn about different careers, pay, and opportunities in the area.
Interested in public service? Learn about public service careers that may help pay for college.
Build Your Career Skills
Career exploration is also about getting experience and learning how to talk about your skills.
Connect with your PIC Career Specialist for help finding internships, summer opportunities, and building your resume.
Create or update your resume to highlight your skills, experiences, activities, and accomplishments.
Explore LinkedIn to learn about people working in careers that interest you and start learning how professional networking works.
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