From Classroom to Career: A Roadmap for Today’s Youth

OutoftheDrafts

Moriah is a young adult herself, still navigating the ups and downs of becoming an adult. Through her writing, she shares honest reflections

The Hidden Challenges of Building a Financial Future

The majority of young adults step into the world with a clean slate, often without fully realizing how challenging it is to build a solid financial foundation. Establishing that foundation takes years of consistent effort and planning. The process typically begins with deciding on a career path, a choice that many start considering during their high school years. Once you have a clearer idea of the profession you’d like to pursue, you can begin mapping out the specific steps needed to get there. But if success were as simple as choosing a career, going to school, and starting a job, why does it remain such a difficult journey for so many of us?

How Your Environment Shapes Your Financial Independence

A person’s background plays a major role in the ease of becoming financially independent. One factor can be growing up in an environment where you are exposed to only a limited range of career options. You may not even be aware of the variety of career choices available, or how to achieve them. This lack of exposure can make it seem impossible to pursue a different path in life. You also need to have the confidence to try something new. It isn’t easy to go against the grain, and more often than not, you will face some level of pushback. If you decide to aim for something outside the norm in your area, you may not have access to the necessary resources to reach your goals. Many in your area might not even know how to guide you toward them. It’s not always about how intelligent you are, but about having the resources to access the information to get started. This can be a decisive factor for young people striving to build the life they envision.

Laying the Groundwork for Your Career Path

Once you decide on a career, you need to start researching the necessary steps required to be qualified for work. This might involve certain courses to be completed, or certificates to be obtained before you can begin. Depending on your choice, it can take months to years to gain the qualifications required to start working. Most times, the credentials for higher-paying careers take longer to obtain. Once you become an adult, you’ll realize that all the things worth something take a long time to get. There are no real get-rich-quick schemes, because even those take tedious steps to actually work. Unfortunately, there is no reinventing the wheel, but you can choose the most suitable options for your circumstances. Where do you begin?

Do a web search for the career.

Look online for the qualifications needed in your area.

Watch videos from those who have experience.

Check the school site, call to speak with the advisors.

Create a checklist.

Begin looking up the career and watching videos of those in the field to see what they say about it. Look online to find all of the qualifications, create a checklist for completion, and start marking things off as you go along. Take advantage of school advisors—they can make things easier for you by emailing links or walking you step-by-step over the phone on how to submit required documents. Also, going to open house events at the school so you can tour the facility is a good option. All of these things take time; schools have deadlines, and you might not even be able to start your program until the following year. So make sure to check the deadlines right away.

Landing Your First Job After Graduation

So, you’ve completed school and received the credentials to work in your field. Now comes the next challenge—actually finding a job. It can be difficult as a new graduate because many employers prefer candidates with more experience. On top of that, the job market is not in the best shape right now, so you should begin your search immediately. Submitting as many applications as possible and following up with phone calls can help you secure a few prospects. We are all still trying to determine the best ways to navigate the current challenges in the job market, but with persistence, you’ll eventually land an entry-level position. When you first start, you will typically earn the minimum pay for your field due to your lack of experience. However, as you learn on the job and your skills improve, your pay will naturally increase over time.

Final Thoughts on Starting Your Career

Beginning life after high school can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with navigating the ins and outs of college or learning a new skill. However, every professional starts somewhere, and the first step is often the hardest. Be patient with yourself, and remain open to learning opportunities in every role you take on. The skills, confidence, and connections you gain early on will become the foundation for greater achievements in the future. Remember, building a financial foundation is a journey and each step forward is progress.

© 2025 Moriah