Career Planning for High School Students Part 1: Identifying Interests

High school is a stressful time for many students.   It is a time when many students are trying  to juggle the increasing demands of an adult life, with all of the activities and social requirements associated with the upper levels of high school.   Transitioning from high school to college, or a career or technical program, is a major life change.  I have included some helpful information that may help students make informed choices about their future.  The Bureau of Labor has a great article written by  Elka Torpey titled: "Career Planning for High Schoolers":

I have highlighted some of my favorite information from the first part of this article, but follow the link to read the article in its entirety.
Link to full article: /career-planning-for-high-schoolers.htm


In the article, Elka Torpey states,
"If you’re still in high school, you may not be as sure of your vocation as Lovely is of hers. But, like Lovely, you can start thinking about—and planning for—your future before graduation.
“Start exploring what you want to do when you’re a freshman,” says Mark Danaher, a career counselor at Newington High School in Newington, Connecticut. “The high school years go very quickly.”
Most people need some preparation before they’re ready for the workforce, and planning should begin long before it’s time to start a career. This could include taking technical courses during high school or, after graduating, attending a college or university to earn a certificate or a degree. Knowing what type of career preparation you need begins with thinking about what type of career you want.
This article helps high school students plan for careers. The first section talks about exploring your interests. The second section highlights the importance of internships, jobs, and other opportunities for getting experience. The third section describes some education or training options, both in high school and afterward. The fourth section offers some thoughts on pursuing your dream career. And the final section lists sources for more information."

Here are some of my thoughts on the initial stages of career planning for high school students:

The first part of the article lists many free career interest  tools that can be useful as a starting point for career exploration. 

I agree with the article's position on not putting too much pressure on students to find one career and stick with it.  The most important questions high school students should ask are:

What do I like to do? (List 5)

What are some job that I know I don't like to do? (List 5)


Most high school students have work experience, and this is a good starting point for thinking about what they are willing to do for work, or what they know they don't want to do.

For example, if a student has worked in a the service industry and they know they love working with and helping people, it may be a good starting point for looking into a career in hospitality or management.

I find that many students have a passion they love to pursue, but may need assistance with figuring out how to turn this passion into a career.

After identifying interest, many students may find it helpful to complete a free online assessment at a great site for career exploration : http://www.mynextmove.org/