9 answers
Gabriel
Student
Pass Christian, Mississippi
1
Question
Asked
1116 views
Guys what do i do after school. i have no idea what. I know that for my job, i don't want to sit in a office all day and that would like to work with my hands.
I'm in the 11th grade, I do track and cheer. I have a 19 on my ACT. I'm pretty open to any job that involves using my hands, like being in the medical field or being a auto mechanic.
9 answers
Donna Hull
Engineer
118
Answers
Columbia
Updated
Donna’s Answer
Gabriel;
Adulting is a big leap from high school. I am glad you are thinking about how you can enter into productive society and sounds like you have already made one big decision. Sounds like you don't want to go the college route.
Yet there is an expansive difference between the Medical Field and the Automotive Field.
A couple suggestions:
- Pass Christian has a Volunteer Fire Department -- volunteering there now will give you an idea of if you would like the medical field.
- how do you react in the face of chaos
- how do you react to traumatic injuries
- is the medical field something you would like to work in -- do you have an aptitude?
- Not sure how Mississippi Schools operate -- take the ASVAB -- it will provide answers on skills you have an aptitude for
- Does you school have a vocational option for you to try Auto Mechanics out
- I tell any young adult who reaches their senior year and still does not know what to do with their future to go into the Military
- You will be independent with a safety net (always will have a roof over your head and food on the table)
- The recruiters will work with you to find a job that is suitable for both you and the military needs.
- Caution: Recruiters are tasked with fulfilling the military needs. If you don't like what they are offering, just say No!
Adulting is a big leap from high school. I am glad you are thinking about how you can enter into productive society and sounds like you have already made one big decision. Sounds like you don't want to go the college route.
Yet there is an expansive difference between the Medical Field and the Automotive Field.
A couple suggestions:
- Pass Christian has a Volunteer Fire Department -- volunteering there now will give you an idea of if you would like the medical field.
- how do you react in the face of chaos
- how do you react to traumatic injuries
- is the medical field something you would like to work in -- do you have an aptitude?
- Not sure how Mississippi Schools operate -- take the ASVAB -- it will provide answers on skills you have an aptitude for
- Does you school have a vocational option for you to try Auto Mechanics out
- I tell any young adult who reaches their senior year and still does not know what to do with their future to go into the Military
- You will be independent with a safety net (always will have a roof over your head and food on the table)
- The recruiters will work with you to find a job that is suitable for both you and the military needs.
- Caution: Recruiters are tasked with fulfilling the military needs. If you don't like what they are offering, just say No!
Margarita Mendy
orthoptist
33
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Margarita’s Answer
You got some great advices already. Just to add...
What area you think you are interested in? Is it working with people, working with animals, 9-5 or flexible hours? Do you get up early or do you have flex schedule? Would you want to work day or evening hours? try to narrow down to your interests.
Imagine your ideal work day/ hours and go from that.
Try to find some online career questionnaires and tests to narrow it down to your abilities or preferences.
What area you think you are interested in? Is it working with people, working with animals, 9-5 or flexible hours? Do you get up early or do you have flex schedule? Would you want to work day or evening hours? try to narrow down to your interests.
Imagine your ideal work day/ hours and go from that.
Try to find some online career questionnaires and tests to narrow it down to your abilities or preferences.
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2732
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. There are many careers that would nit sit in office. The most important is to find out what you have interest.
Below and my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest and identify the relared career that would not sit in office. You an consider, eg Journalist, Sports Instructor, Chef, Park Ranger, Tourist Guide, Engineers, etc. You xan find out more online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Seek guidance from your mentor, school careers counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in college
Hope this helps ! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below and my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest and identify the relared career that would not sit in office. You an consider, eg Journalist, Sports Instructor, Chef, Park Ranger, Tourist Guide, Engineers, etc. You xan find out more online
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Seek guidance from your mentor, school careers counselor, your parents, etc
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Explore the entry criteria of relevant subjects in college
Hope this helps ! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Diana Rodriguez Velasquez
Psychologist
72
Answers
Memphis, Tennessee
Updated
Diana’s Answer
Hi Gabriel! It’s completely okay not to know exactly what you want to do yet. You’re in 11th grade, and this is actually a great time to explore rather than pressure yourself into choosing one career.
You already know something important about yourself: you enjoy being active and working with your hands. That gives you a good starting point. Since you mentioned both healthcare and auto mechanics, I would explore careers in both areas before deciding. In healthcare, you could look into hands-on roles such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, surgical technology, or emergency medical services. You could also explore skilled trades and automotive careers if working with tools and solving mechanical problems interests you.
Try to get some real-world exposure whenever possible. Job shadowing, volunteering, career fairs, technical programs, or simply talking with professionals can help you understand what the day-to-day work actually feels like. Pay attention not only to what sounds interesting, but also to what kind of environment makes you feel motivated and curious.
And don’t let your current ACT score make the decision for you. It’s one piece of information, not a definition of what you’re capable of becoming. You still have time to strengthen your academic skills while exploring your options.
You don’t need to have your whole future figured out right now. Your goal at this stage can simply be to explore enough options that you begin discovering what fits you—and what doesn’t. Good luck!
You already know something important about yourself: you enjoy being active and working with your hands. That gives you a good starting point. Since you mentioned both healthcare and auto mechanics, I would explore careers in both areas before deciding. In healthcare, you could look into hands-on roles such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, nursing, surgical technology, or emergency medical services. You could also explore skilled trades and automotive careers if working with tools and solving mechanical problems interests you.
Try to get some real-world exposure whenever possible. Job shadowing, volunteering, career fairs, technical programs, or simply talking with professionals can help you understand what the day-to-day work actually feels like. Pay attention not only to what sounds interesting, but also to what kind of environment makes you feel motivated and curious.
And don’t let your current ACT score make the decision for you. It’s one piece of information, not a definition of what you’re capable of becoming. You still have time to strengthen your academic skills while exploring your options.
You don’t need to have your whole future figured out right now. Your goal at this stage can simply be to explore enough options that you begin discovering what fits you—and what doesn’t. Good luck!
Madan Khadka
Data Center Technician
6
Answers
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Updated
Madan’s Answer
Hi Gabriel,
First, don’t worry too much about having everything figured out in 11th grade. I was in a similar position when I was younger and wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go. The one thing I knew was that I loved computers, so I followed that interest. That eventually brought me into IT, and today I work at as a Data Center Technician. It’s a surprisingly hands-on job working with servers, hardware, cabling and troubleshooting and i love it. My next goal is to move further into networking and eventually become a Network Engineer.
You already know something important about yourself: you want to be active and work with your hands. That gives you a great place to start.
There are a lot of cool paths you could explore: sports medicine or athletic training, physical therapy, EMT/paramedic, firefighting, radiology, surgical technology, automotive or diesel mechanic, aircraft mechanic, electrician, HVAC, robotics/automation, or even hands-on IT roles like data center or network technician.
And about your 19 ACT score don’t let one number make you feel like your options are limited. Test scores can matter for certain college admissions or scholarships, but once you find something you're genuinely passionate about, your willingness to learn, practice, improve and keep going can matter much more in building your career.
My advice would be to pick two or three careers that sound exciting and start exploring them. Watch what people in those careers actually do, talk to professionals, shadow someone if possible, or take a hands-on class. You might discover something you never knew you would enjoy.
You have plenty of time, Gabriel. Stay curious, try different things, and don't be afraid if your direction changes along the way. Good luck!
First, don’t worry too much about having everything figured out in 11th grade. I was in a similar position when I was younger and wasn’t really sure where I wanted to go. The one thing I knew was that I loved computers, so I followed that interest. That eventually brought me into IT, and today I work at as a Data Center Technician. It’s a surprisingly hands-on job working with servers, hardware, cabling and troubleshooting and i love it. My next goal is to move further into networking and eventually become a Network Engineer.
You already know something important about yourself: you want to be active and work with your hands. That gives you a great place to start.
There are a lot of cool paths you could explore: sports medicine or athletic training, physical therapy, EMT/paramedic, firefighting, radiology, surgical technology, automotive or diesel mechanic, aircraft mechanic, electrician, HVAC, robotics/automation, or even hands-on IT roles like data center or network technician.
And about your 19 ACT score don’t let one number make you feel like your options are limited. Test scores can matter for certain college admissions or scholarships, but once you find something you're genuinely passionate about, your willingness to learn, practice, improve and keep going can matter much more in building your career.
My advice would be to pick two or three careers that sound exciting and start exploring them. Watch what people in those careers actually do, talk to professionals, shadow someone if possible, or take a hands-on class. You might discover something you never knew you would enjoy.
You have plenty of time, Gabriel. Stay curious, try different things, and don't be afraid if your direction changes along the way. Good luck!
Martina Hayes
Project Manager
46
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Martina’s Answer
Hi Gabriel, if you're looking to stay active and enjoy working with your hands, there are many exciting career paths that offer both physical activity and the chance to see the results of your work. Plus, these jobs often come with good pay. You might consider skilled trades like carpentry, welding, plumbing, or electrical work. Other options include becoming an aircraft mechanic, an elevator or escalator installer, or an automotive technician. If you love the outdoors, you could explore roles like construction foreman, site supervisor, forestry or land management, or even work as a field scientist or environmental technician. These careers can be both fulfilling and rewarding!
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
852
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
There are so many jobs that allow you to exist outside of an office. Parks and rec, catering and events, construction and more. The trade off is that most of these can be very laborious, so being able to move up the ranks to supervisor level may be something to consider
Ari Langer
Manager, Technical Documentation
6
Answers
Oakland, California
Updated
Ari’s Answer
It's more competitive now, but there historically has been a lot of need in the trades (electrician, plumber, elevator maintenance, HVAC technician, etc.)
Everett Z
Human Resources Administrator
8
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Everett’s Answer
Hi,
Since you’re still in school, I highly recommend speaking with a career counselor at your school. They would be able to provide you free resources on what you might like to do for work (ie career tests, career fairs, local volunteering options, etc.).
You can also write down a list of interests/school subjects you seemed to like, and read introductory books on them (or watch day in the life of a _____ videos on Youtube).
Your curiosity is the first step!
Since you’re still in school, I highly recommend speaking with a career counselor at your school. They would be able to provide you free resources on what you might like to do for work (ie career tests, career fairs, local volunteering options, etc.).
You can also write down a list of interests/school subjects you seemed to like, and read introductory books on them (or watch day in the life of a _____ videos on Youtube).
Your curiosity is the first step!
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