11 Paths to Excellence After High School

My purpose and platform as a College & Career Coach is all about arming our children with the best options and information so they can make conscientious decisions about their lives in the “real world.” Today, I’m dropping in to share eleven paths that students can choose after high school, which I discussed recently on my LIVE weekly series, Teen-Aged Thursdays on Facebook and Instagram at 8pm (EST).

Gap Year – Gap year programs are paid courses in non-traditional and experiential learning focused on leadership development and professional skills. This is a structured alternative and some programs even have housing options. On the other end of the spectrum, less structured gap years may consist of travel, typically filled with a variety of learning opportunities and time to consider next steps after high school.

Year Up – Year Up is a workforce development organization committed to ensuring equitable access to opportunity and education. Students have the ability to train in one of five tracks: information technology, financial operations, sales and customer support, business operations, and software development/support. Students work in the classroom for a year before training and getting paired with an employer for an internship year. According to their site, 80% of graduates are employed and/or enrolled in a college program within 4 months of graduating at Year Up. It’s a great way to explore different career paths and the best part? The program is free AND while in the first year of the program, they pay you to learn.

Work – For a long time (just a few generations back, in fact), work was the go-to next step after graduating high school. You worked to learn and advance your skill-set. This is still true now, but in today’s society and economy, we must also work to earn and the earning potential with only a high school diploma may be limited or capped depending on the industry you’re in. The key thing to remember with this option is that you don’t get paid what you’re worth… you get paid what you ask for, and your ask must be backed by skills.

Apprenticeships – Apprenticeships are when an organization hires and trains you to do a specific task/job. As your skill-set and level of knowledge increases, so does your pay. There are a variety of apprenticeships in different fields. Some that I know of are with Enterprise, Target, and Walmart. For more information about these and other opportunities, you can go to apprenticeship.gov.

Peace Corps – Joining the Peace Corps, which is a government-owned operation, is a great opportunity for individuals who are interested in the social and economic development of communities. You volunteer your time doing various types of jobs and receive a living stipend as well as $10,000 at the time of completion. In addition to invaluable and eye-opening experiences, students also build a resume. For example, they may get certified to teach English as a second language. As a public service, the Peace Corps also qualifies you for student loan forgiveness, which makes college a viable option.

Community College – Community college, sometimes referred to as junior college, is a great option for students who want to explore higher education with lower financial risk, which I am all about! This option is great for students who don’t know what they want to major in, would like to remain at home initially, or those who want to improve their educational transcript (i.e., their grades) before moving on to a 4-year institution. One thing to mention here, as well, is that many community colleges have alliance agreements with state schools, allowing for smooth transfers. Lastly, community college allows students to explore industry certifications, such as banking, heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC), food handling, and hospitality to name a few.

Job Corps – Job Corps is the largest residential education campus for education training. Their aim is to prepare you for in-demand jobs/careers. With over 50 options of study, there really is something for everyone. The main barrier to entry is age, with applicants having to be between the age of 18-24. One of the biggest benefits of Job Corps is that you’re earning while learning and receiving a housing stipend, so it’s a great option for students with limited resources or those who had difficulty completing high school.

Volunteer – While volunteering does require some level of support, if the financial means exist, it is a great option to allow high school graduates time and experience to get clear about what they want to do. I recommend it to the late bloomers, or those who checked in just at the end of high school and are left questioning, “What am I supposed to do now?” Volunteering is an amazing way to build character and a professional network to prepare for next steps. The best part? You can volunteer almost anywhere and if there’s ever any shortage of opportunities, send them my way! I can always use the help!

Trade or Certificate Program – This option is great for students who are very clear on their ideal job or career path. Some examples of trades or certificate programs include: flight attendant, elevator mechanic, a dental hygienist, etc. Trade schools and certifications are also great for those who know that they’d like to start a small business. A word of caution: be sure you do your research. Some trade schools and programs are filled with false promises, so make sure you ask all the important questions and do thorough investigation before investing your time and money.

Military – Did you know there are six branches of the U.S. military? I knew five: Army, Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy. However, there is also Space Force. While you don’t have to be a U.S. citizen to join the military, there are some barriers to entry, such as a fitness test, age, written exam, and extreme training. Only 28% of Americans are actually eligible for military service, so it’s truly a badge of honor to serve in the armed forces.

Four Year College/University – I saved perhaps the most obvious, but not necessarily the best, for last. I strongly believe that a 4-year college or university is a great investment, but only after serious consideration of three things: 1) cost and expected return on investment, 2) social and cultural fit, and 3) professional/career alignment. To keep it brief, first you need to make sure that the cost of certain schools (think in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, private vs. public, etc.) will yield a return after program completion in order to pay off student loans. Sometimes there are more cost-effective alternatives… if a private, out-of-state school and a public state school 30 minutes from home both offer the same major, the public state school may be a better alternative financially, and allow the student to live at home and save on room and board. Costs aside, I stand firm that my students need to visit a campus and do research on the cultural and social environment to make sure they will be happy and experience feelings of belonging. Lastly, the school should align with career goals. At minimum, the school should offer the major they wish to pursue, but there’s great benefit in attending a school with accolades in a chosen field. Ultimately, universities are the most financially risky option on this list, so we need to do our due diligence to ensure the college or university is the perfect, or absolute best, fit.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive… there are many other avenues for new high school graduates to consider, but these options are certainly ones to get the conversation started. Again, we want our children equipped with every option, so they can make an informed decision on their future!?

Stay excellent!

-Linnita Hosten