High School Students

What's in Your Future?

The first step in heading towards a good future is to take a look at yourself. Knowing yourself will help you pick the right program, the right college, and the right career for you.


You'll want to build on your strengths - the things that interest you and that you're good at. Maybe you already know where you are headed. You play the piano like a pro and want a career in music, or you program computers in your sleep and want to pursue a job in information technology, or you spend your time watching all those makeover shows and want to become a hair and make-up artist. But most teens are not so sure.


Take a look at yourself

Here are some ways to pinpoint what might be a good area of study for you.

  1. List your abilities.
    Have you ever stopped to really think about your strengths? Probably not. Make a short list of things you're good at. They can be school subjects, but they can also be anything else: fixing things around the house, finding information on the internet, putting together just the right outfit every day.
  2. List your interests.
    Now make a list of things you like to do. Include subjects and activities at school, and what you especially like doing outside of school. Not just "eat nachos" and "go to the movies"! Take yourself seriously - this is just for you.
  3. Talk to a relative or friend.
    It can also help to talk to people who know you really well, maybe a relative or good friend. Ask what they think you most like to do, and what they think you're good at. They might point out something you didn't think about.
  4. Learn more about your strengths.
    Now think about how your interests and abilities mesh. Don't rule out anything you're good at just because it doesn't match your interests. Maybe you're talented in math or sewing - but it bores you. You might find you would love working with the math behind the shape of the galaxy, or designing embroidery on clothing. And don't rule out something you love because you don't think you can earn a living at it. If you love being out in the woods, learn more about forestry. Follow the strengths you've identified to find a field that's perfect for you.
  5. Check on interest and aptitude tests.
    Special tests can help you realize what your interests and skills are and match your interests to occupations. Ask a school counselor which ones might be best for you. Be cautious about tests on the web, though. Many of them charge fees and some aren't reliable. Check this one out: http://www.livecareer.com/home.asp. The questionnaire takes about 25 minutes to get a basic interest and skills profile. (If you don’t want to use the services offered by the website, click the “No Thanks” button on each page to continue receiving results).

Take a look at the work world

Why should you think about work when you're still in high school and have no idea what you want to do? Because learning about the work world can give you a focus that will help you make the most of high school and college. If you're thinking of becoming a veterinarian, you might decide it's worth studying that chemistry lesson. If you want to run your own bed-and-breakfast, it will be important to take accounting. You don't have to decide on a career right now - the point is to know what your choices might be.

Start in the library and on the web. Books about careers range from surveys to first-person accounts. Use your library to find some in your areas of interest. Check publication dates: you will want recent ones. You can also find information on the web, but be careful. Many Ohio libraries have a really cool site called the Ohio Career Information System with aptitude tests and career related information. Stop in the library and ask if they use it. And if you live in Campbell, Kenton, Boone or Dearborn counties in Kentucky and Indiana, you are eligible to apply for a Hamilton County library card. Just bring your current library card, picture I.D. and go to the Cincinnati Branch to apply.

Remember that websites aren't always reliable. Look for websites sponsored by institutions like colleges or universities, governments, labor unions, or business associations. Check these out: http://stats.bls.gov/oco/ocoiab.htm;www.mapping-your-future.org; http://www.acrnetwork.org/students.aspx.

An especially useful tool is the "World of Work" diagram created by the American College Testing program (ACT). It shows how interests or abilities relate to all types of career possibilities in the United States today. The possible job activities are divided into working with:

  1. Data: Facts, numbers, files, business procedures
  2. Ideas: Knowledge, insights, theories, new ways of saying or doing something
  3. People: Care, services, leadership, sales
  4. Things: Machines, tools, living things, and materials such as food, wood, or metal

Finally, you should see for yourself. Nothing compares to actually being on the job. Ask your teachers or counselors about opportunities to:

  1. Shadow
    Follow a person through a typical work day. You'll be most interested in jobs you think you'd like to do, but it can be useful to shadow a person on any job - you'll learn about skills every job requires, such as keeping good relations with other workers.
  2. Volunteer
    Many institutions and companies are happy to have volunteer help, and it's a great way to see how a workplace operates. Besides, volunteering is almost as good as work experience when it's time to look for a job or apply to college. If you know a place where you'd love to spend time, call to ask about volunteering.
  3. Intern
    Some employers hire young people, especially over the summer, to work temporarily and learn what their business is like. Pay is low and some are unpaid, but internships not only let you learn about a career, but often directly lead to good jobs.
  4. Take a part-time job
    Having a job while you're in school can help you learn about the workplace and can lead to employment later. It's also a way to earn money for college.
  5. Interviewing
    Do you want to be a police officer? Why not talk to one and find out what the job is really like? This type of interview usually takes less than an hour of your time and is a quick way to get “insider” info on what the day to day of that job is like. If you know someone in the field, asking a few questions is easy. Or if you don’t know anyone personally, ask a guidance counselor or relative to help you make the connection. Some key questions to ask are:
    • What do you like most about your work?
    • What don’t you like?
    • What type of school did you need?
    • Do you have anything to recommend to someone entering this career?
    • What is your typical day like?
    • If you could go back in time, would you prepare differently that you did?

And if you like what they say, ask if they use volunteers or hire interns!