What should I do after high school?
I am a junior in high school, and I have a pretty decent GPA (3.7+). I am taking many advanced placement classes, and I'm doing well in them. I have been thinking about my future recently, since I will need to decide soon whether I want to go to college or not. What options other than going to college do I have? Could I pursue an administrative or a commercial job without a college education? #college #career #career-counseling #career-choice #career-path #job-search #career-development #administration
4 answers
Wayne’s Answer
You ask a valid question. The short answer is: Yes you can get an administrative or commercial job without a College education. However that is a very tough road. You would be competing against all of the folks who actually did go to college and as Susan mentions above, college is something employers look for when hiring for the more responsible positions. A person can start at the bottom and work their way up through diligence and experience but that takes time. It sounds like you are wanting to get into one of those roles more quickly. Some folks have the correct connections to make that work but for the majority of us, it is a tough road.
If College is an option, I would recommend it. If you are not certain about what you want to do or what you are passionate about, College offers many courses which are generic and needed by the majority of degree plans. Take those the first couple semesters while you scope out the options. Use this time to talk to the other students and especially the professors of the different schools. See what the different choices offer and make your decisions based on that information. The intern option is a good one for getting both on the job training, but also visibility to the "working world". It also looks good on a resume.
Bottom line: you don't have to decide on a career and stick with it for the rest of your life unless you want to. There are options available which will show up over time. Decide what you are passionate about and look for opportunity in those areas. Don't get hung up on one career choice however. If what you choose turns out to be something other than what you want, keep looking. Good luck in your choices!
Thanks for the thoughtful response! I've been talking to my parents and to my academic advisor, and they all suggest that I should go to college. From the sounds of it, it seems like it is the better path, and I can say that I agree. If I may ask, do you know how I could apply for internships, or if you know any open internship positions? Again, thanks for taking the time to respond, I really appreciate it.
Albert
there are many internship opportunities available but most of them are filled thru contacts at the college. Some companies will have recruiting sessions on campus where they will interview candidates. Others will post opportunities with the various departments. As I mentioned, one key advantage is to get to know the professors in the department along with the college advisors. They will see the opportunities first and notify those students they know might be interested. The opportunities will be there, you just need to be alert to look for them. As to other options, you can also got on some of the on line job sites. They sometimes list internships and if you set up an alert, they will notify you if one pops up. Hope this helps. Good luck!
Wayne Fonville
Susan’s Answer
College is always a good first step. Yes, others have built a career without it but it can be difficult. Having college experience on a resume can get you the interview. Then you have the chance to talk about your great skills.
College also gives you an opportunity to apply for internship programs. Some even have job opportunities while you are in school. This will give you real-life experience working in the field of your interest and a great addition to your resume.
If you are in school studying a subject you enjoy, it won't feel like a chore.
Thanks for the advice! I was planning on going to college, but I wanted to access all my options first. I will have to consider it more, but as of right now, I think I will be applying to college to try to get a higher education (along with the increased opportunities on campus).
Albert
nelda’s Answer
You can do both, apply to college, because this will make you more competitive amongst your peers. It would be great if you can find a company that takes interns, since you would be getting work experience, while pursuing your degree.
Thanks for taking the time to reply! How would I go about finding a company that takes interns?
Albert
matthew’s Answer
You should probably apply to the university, not a college to start a career in what you love. You should probably be thinking of job only if you have no sponsor.
What is a difference between a college and a university? And could you elaborate on what you mean by having a sponsor?
Albert
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