What should I do after high school?

Confused about what you want to do with your life after high school? Higher education can be something that society encourages you to pursue, but the reality is that not everyone is cut out for it. If you are a senior in high school and don't want to attend a college that requires four years of study, or if you would rather obtain some experience in the working world before going to college, there are a lot of other paths you may take. Here is a list of 10 possible next steps for you to take after graduating from high school.

1. Get a job.

There are jobs available, even if it can seem like it's difficult to acquire a career with only a high school graduation, particularly one that pays well. Even while the majority of the highest-paying occupations that don't need a college degree still require training of some kind, some of those jobs actually give on-the-job training. Some examples are those who work as bus drivers and train operators, as well as those who oversee casino games and provide home health care.

If you are having trouble finding anything that piques your interest, you may work as a barista, server, or retail worker at the shop that you like the most. If you have a passion for reading, you should look into working at a bookshop. If you are interested in games, you should inquire at the gaming shop in your area. Find a profession that is closely linked to the passions you already have. You will not only have a better time, but you will also be more likely to put yourself in a position where you may take advantage of prospects for promotion.

2. Find and complete an internship.

There are thousands of internships available, which means that there is surely one in your area that is suited to your skill set. Find a job that pays well and allows you to get real-world experience in a field that interests you. This should be your goal. Even if the position does not pay you, you may still utilize the time to learn about possible future occupations, network with other people, and build connections.

3. Participate in a volunteer group such as AmeriCorps.

Volunteering for a year may help you figure out what you're most passionate about, which can then point you in the direction of a future job. AmeriCorps is a fantastic organization to join if you wish to maintain a local presence in your career. There are a wide variety of AmeriCorps programs available in every state in the United States. Some of these programs allow participants to work with children in classroom settings, while others help to clean up after natural disasters or provide financial assistance to local nonprofit organizations.

Be careful to examine the prerequisites for participation in the particular program in which you are interested in order to avoid any unpleasant surprises during the admissions process. For the majority of programs, you need to be at least 17 or 18 years old, have graduated from high school, and be a citizen of the United States.

In return for their work, members of AmeriCorps get a small stipend to help cover their living expenses. You will also be eligible to earn an education award of up to $6,195 when you have completed your term of duty, which is typically about a year. This award may be used to pay off existing or future student debts at almost any college, university, or technical school. That implies that you will already have some money saved up in the event that you make the decision to go back to school at a later period.

Although being an AmeriCorps member does not pay much in terms of monetary reward, you will walk away with skills and experiences that are vital to your future career. Some former members have had the good fortune to find employment in the organizations where they previously served.

4. Enroll at a community college and start taking courses.

There is a possibility that you are not prepared for a college or university that requires four years of study, but that does not

You are unable to advance your education by attending some courses. There are several students present.

Spending one or two years at a community college merely to save money on essential coursework is a good idea.

than one that is just four years long. Others could try their hand at it by enrolling in one or two classes first.

You could also choose to pursue your goals by enrolling in courses at your local community college.

interest in other things as well, such as learning a new language, pursuing creative writing, or studying movies.

You will acquire new skills and knowledge even if you decide not to go on to get a bachelor's degree.

talents and information that will serve you for the rest of your life.

5. Enlist in an armed service.

If you are searching for a means to increase your income, you may always consider joining the military.

difference while while acquiring vital skills for a career. For instance, if you join the Army, you

may get training for vital professions in STEM fields such as engineering, technology, and even science.

web design.

Free rent, housing, and health care are just a few of the additional advantages of joining the military.

insurance. You will most likely have the opportunity to see sections of the globe that you would not have seen otherwise.

and make connections with individuals who share your interests along the way.

Obviously, not everyone is cut out to serve in the armed forces. You'll need to maintain a certain level of physical fitness.

prerequisites to enroll. In addition to this, you will need to be willing to give up a significant portion of your time.

as well as your time and energy to helping your nation, particularly during times of war. On the other hand, a lot of people feel that a career in the military is incredibly satisfying.

6. Establish a new company.

The truth of the matter is that in order to become an investor, a degree in business is not required.

entrepreneur. Consider the case of Lani Lazzari, who was a junior when she attended her high school.

when she started using sugar scrubs as a treatment for her dermatitis, she found that it helped a lot. She

made the decision to forego attending college in order to start a company. In 2013, she

An appearance on the television program "Shark Tank" was the catalyst for the explosion of business. Simple

Because to Lani, Sugars was able to achieve a total of 2.5 million dollars in sales in the year 2015.

she made the decision to pursue her goal.

You shouldn't expect to see results right away, and it's possible that your business won't even make it into "Shark Tank.

despite this, there is still a chance that you will be successful. Some individuals have a natural talent or aptitude for business.

They have common sense as well as a knack with statistics that will carry them a long way. If this describes you in any way,

You may want to think about starting a small company and seeing where it takes you.

7. Enroll in a vocational school.

In the event that you are skilled with your hands and/or have previous expertise in a trade such as

If you have an interest in working with vehicles, plumbing, or welding, you might think about going to a trade school.

Alternatives to a four-year university that often come with lower tuition costs include trade schools. Most

You will be prepared to enter the workforce in less than two years if you participate in these programs.

You might also consider working in the medical field, either as a dental assistant or a nursing assistant.

hygienist at the vocational school in your area. If you like interacting with others in the workplace and are interested in,

If you are interested in starting a career in the helping professions, this could be an excellent place to begin. Many

People ultimately make the decision to get the further education necessary for higher-paying jobs.

professions as that of licensed practical nurse or registered nurse.

Laborers, electricians, welders, and cosmetologists are occupations that will never go out of need.

as well as mechanics. Attending a vocational school may pave the way to a career that is both secure and satisfying.

8. Get some kind of on-the-job training.

Apprenticeships, much like trade schools, may give students with incredible learning opportunities to prepare for occupations such as that of an electrician, plumber, or chef. An apprenticeship is basically a combination of learning on the job and in a classroom setting, with the goal of maximizing a person's learning capacity in a relatively short amount of time.

Apprenticeship programs are offered by a number of local unions. You won't have to shell out any cash in order to participate in this instruction, in contrast to vocational institutions. You will really be required to labor, and you will be compensated for your efforts.

Apprenticeships require a lot of effort, but if you are skilled and have a strong work ethic, you may be able to get a well-paying job via one of these training programs.

9. Sign up with the Job Corps.

If you don't feel like you're a good match for any of the other programs, Job Corps might be a viable alternative for you.

college, are having trouble financially, or don't believe they have the qualifications necessary to obtain work. Since

Since its founding in 1964, Job Corps organizations throughout the United States have assisted about two

a million children and teenagers participate in academic, vocational, and life skills programs.

To be eligible for membership in the Job Corps, your age must fall between 16 and 24 years old. After you have signed up, you

may enroll in courses for a variety of job training programs, including those for automotive and machine maintenance.

to the skills of cooking. You will get assistance from a counselor on your employment before you graduate from the program.

search.

10. Take a break from school to see the world.

Utilize your spare time and money to visit exotic parts of the globe, learn about various cultures, and engage in fascinating conversations if you are in a position to travel. The phrase "backpacking through Europe" may be a cliché in popular culture, but there are plenty of possibilities to engage in cultural interaction all over the globe.

If you are at a loss as to what steps to take next, it is in your best interest to conduct some study on the many possibilities presented here and choose which one is most suitable for you. Make sure that anything you do once you graduate counts for something meaningful. Put your talents to use, learn some new ones, and position yourself to achieve success in the future by doing so.