How to Avoid Graduating High School Without Knowing What you Want to do

Start Exploring as Early as Possible

Don’t wait until grade 12 to finally start thinking about what college to go to, and what job you want after. Throughout your time in secondary, or even elementary school, try new things. Explore the arts, sciences, cooking, sewing, interior design, construction, dancing, music, or anything else you can get your hands on. Once you reach an appropriate age, start volunteering with various organizations that interest you. It’s also a great idea to find a part-time job and get experience. Furthermore, when you are young, it’s the best time to find a mentor and shadow the adults in your life. This will give you a real glimpse into what it's actually like to work in certain industries. Shadow your parents, a family friend, an older cousin, aunt, or uncle if possible. These are some great ways to explore your options and gain valuable experience to add to your resume. Be willing to work for free to get a feel for an industry you’re interested in. You will not only gain valuable experience, but you will learn a ton. You will have a better idea of what you want to pursue as a career, and you will become a well-rounded person who’s valuable to employers.

Get a Feel for What Fits You

As you explore what’s out there, take note of what you find the most interesting and enjoyable, then go all out in researching career opportunities in that field. Also, take note of the types of people who work in that field and the vibe of the workspace. If you’re not especially geared toward a certain job or naturally talented in a certain area, try looking for careers that are best suited for your personality. Think about what type of people you could work well with or have a similar personality as you. Then zero in on the fields where people like that work. Even if you’re not naturally good at something, if it fits your personality, you’ll be sure to learn it well in time. For example, there’s a lot of different fields that interested me, but I knew I could never excel in those areas enough to make a solid living. So I thought about my personality, my habits, and what type of people I could see myself working with. I ended up deciding on a career that was far different than anything I’d ever considered previously. But once I got to college and started getting a feel for the work and the industry, I knew it was the best fit for me.

Plan Out Your Goals

Furthermore, choose a job that fits your future goals. Do you want to eventually be your own boss? Do you want to eventually buy your own home, have kids, and be able to leave them with a healthy inheritance? Do you prefer a more stable job that has the potential for promotions, or has the ability to be upgraded after some time? Or do you want work that can be more flexible? Even at a young age, you can start thinking about the direction you would like your life to go. Where do you see yourself in 10, 15, or 20 years? Sound familiar? Yeah thinking about this will help a lot with interview questions too. But, you’re probably thinking, I’m only in high school, how can I possibly know what I will want by the time I’m 25, 30, or even 17?? No worries. It’s totally ok to change course as you grow, and get to know yourself and what you want better. However, the best thing you can do is give yourself some kind of direction. Blindly picking a college course, or career with no goals or direction may end up costing you years you’ll wish you could get back. Instead, be sure to do your research and get out and explore. Don’t just pick the school all your friends are going to, or the one you think will make you look good. Make sure your decision is yours, not influenced by others who don’t really care what you do. Think for yourself and what fits with where you want to go in life.

Choose Your Post-Secondary Education Wisely

University is overrated. It’s definitely for some people, but don’t choose it because you’re trying to follow the crowd. Do your research. Don’t spend thousands of dollars on a university program that has no clear job opportunities afterward. Instead of losing 4 years of your life trying to get a university diploma, you could do the same thing at a polytechnic institution in half the time. Look for the most practical and hands-on education, one that has clear job opportunities afterward. As part of your exploration endeavors, tour all the colleges and universities around your city. Get a feel for what each one offers and each institution’s style of education. Then start narrowing your search based on what career interests you the most. Choose the institution that gives you the best chance of landing a job afterward, and that offers its programs in a style that most appeals to you.

Go Get ‘Em!

Once you know what career path fits you the best, you have a rough plan for the future, and you’ve decided on a college course, you’re in great shape! Having gained valuable experience as a teenager, having done your research, and having thought deeply about your goals for the future, will set you up for success. You can always change course in a few years, but it will help greatly in the future if you’ve started off on the right foot.