Career Exploration for High School Students: A Comprehensive Guide
High school is an exciting time of self-discovery and academic growth. For many students, it’s also when they start thinking about what comes after graduation—whether that means pursuing higher education or stepping into the workforce. Career exploration for high school students plays a crucial role in helping them make informed decisions about their futures. By identifying interests, gaining exposure to various professions, and developing essential skills, students can make more confident choices about their careers.
In this guide, we will explore different ways for high school students to explore potential careers, including internships, career tests, job shadowing, and more.
Why is Career Exploration Important for High School Students?
Career exploration is not just about finding a job—it’s about discovering what motivates you and where your skills and interests align. Understanding career options early on has numerous benefits, including:
Informed Decision Making: Exploring different fields allows students to make more informed choices when selecting a college major or career path after graduation.
Skill Development: Certain career paths require specific skills, and exploring careers early helps students understand what those skills are and how to develop them.
Increased Motivation: Understanding the practical application of what they’re learning in high school can increase students' motivation and engagement in their studies.
Early Networking: By engaging in career exploration, students can begin building a professional network, which can be valuable for internships and job opportunities later on.
Ways to Explore Careers in High School
1. Take Career Assessment Tests
Career assessment tests are tools that help students identify their interests, strengths, and personality traits, providing valuable insight into potential career paths. Many tests offer a range of career suggestions based on a student’s answers to various questions about preferences and tendencies.
Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI): This is a popular test that categorizes individuals into personality types. It can help students understand their work preferences, how they make decisions, and which environments they thrive in.
The Holland Code (RIASEC) Test: This test helps students explore career possibilities based on six personality types—Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional.
StrengthsFinder: Focused on identifying personal strengths, this test helps students figure out what they excel at and how that can translate into potential careers.
These tests provide a starting point for career exploration, but students should remember that they are just one tool in the decision-making process.
2. Job Shadowing
Job shadowing involves observing professionals in their work environments to learn more about a specific career. It’s a hands-on way to explore a field of interest and gain insight into the daily responsibilities, challenges, and rewards of a particular job.
How to Set Up Job Shadowing: Many students start by asking family members, teachers, or local business owners if they can shadow someone in a specific profession. Local career centers, school guidance counselors, or websites like LinkedIn can also help connect students with professionals willing to offer job shadowing opportunities.
What to Expect: During a job shadowing experience, students typically spend a day or more observing professionals, asking questions, and taking notes on what they find interesting or challenging about the work.
Job shadowing is an excellent way to get a real-life sense of whether a career path aligns with your interests and values.
3. Internships and Volunteer Work
Internships and volunteer work offer practical experience and the opportunity to gain hands-on knowledge about a particular industry or profession. While internships are often associated with college students, many high school students can find internships or summer jobs that provide valuable career exposure.
Finding Internships: High school students can explore internships in various fields, including technology, healthcare, law, business, and the arts. Many companies and organizations offer summer internships for high school students, and some schools even have internship programs built into their curriculum.
Volunteer Work: Volunteering is another great way to gain experience, especially in fields like healthcare, social services, education, and environmental conservation. Volunteering shows employers and colleges that a student is committed, responsible, and willing to work hard for a cause.
Both internships and volunteer positions offer students a chance to explore a career field, build skills, and expand their professional network.
4. Take Career-Focused Classes
Many high schools offer specialized career and technical education (CTE) programs, which allow students to explore various fields while still in high school. These classes can help students build a foundation of knowledge and practical skills in fields such as:
Information Technology (IT): Courses in coding, web development, and computer science can prepare students for careers in tech.
Health Sciences: Classes in biology, anatomy, or health careers help students explore medical professions like nursing, physical therapy, and healthcare administration.
Business and Finance: Business classes teach students about accounting, marketing, management, and entrepreneurship, laying the groundwork for careers in business.
Trades and Engineering: Programs in engineering, welding, carpentry, and automotive repair allow students to explore technical trades that can lead to high-demand careers.
Taking these courses not only exposes students to various professions but also gives them practical skills they can use later in their careers.
5. Attend Career Fairs and Networking Events
Many high schools and local communities host career fairs and networking events where students can meet professionals from various industries and learn about different career options. These events are an excellent opportunity to ask questions, gather resources, and connect with potential mentors.
School Career Fairs: These events often feature local businesses, universities, and professional organizations that can provide career information and advice.
Industry-Specific Events: Depending on your interests, you may want to attend industry-specific networking events. For example, students interested in healthcare might attend local medical conferences or job expos, while students interested in technology might attend coding workshops or hackathons.
Attending career fairs and networking events allows students to gather firsthand knowledge about careers they may not have otherwise considered.
6. Research Careers Online
The internet offers a wealth of resources to explore career options. Websites like Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), O*NET Online, and CareerOneStop provide detailed information on a wide range of careers, including job duties, educational requirements, salary expectations, and job outlook.
Job Descriptions: Researching job descriptions and qualifications can help students understand what is required to pursue a career in fields that interest them.
Salary Information: Students can learn about salary ranges and job stability in various fields, which may help guide their decision-making.
Educational Requirements: Understanding the educational paths required for specific careers will help students identify whether they need a college degree, vocational training, or other certifications.
7. Set Up Informational Interviews
Informational interviews are one-on-one conversations with professionals working in fields that interest you. These interviews give students the chance to ask questions about specific careers, learn about job responsibilities, and gain insights into the skills and experiences needed for success.
How to Set Up an Informational Interview: Students can use networking platforms like LinkedIn, reach out to family friends, or connect with professionals through school or career programs.
What to Ask: Questions might include: “What do you enjoy most about your job?” “What challenges do you face?” “What educational background is necessary?” and “What advice would you give to someone starting out in this field?”
Informational interviews provide valuable, personalized career advice that can help you better understand specific industries.
Conclusion
Career exploration for high school students is a vital part of the journey toward finding a fulfilling career. By engaging in activities like job shadowing, internships, career assessments, and networking, students can gain valuable insights into potential professions and make informed decisions about their futures. The more proactive you are in exploring different careers, the clearer your path will become. Whether you're planning to go to college, enter the workforce, or pursue vocational training, starting your career exploration in high school will set you up for success.
By exploring your interests, honing your skills, and seeking out experiences that give you a taste of real-world careers, you’ll be better prepared to make decisions that align with your passions and long-term goals.
About Inspirit AI
AI Scholars Live Online is a 10-session (25-hour) program that exposes high school students to fundamental AI concepts and guides them to build a socially impactful project. Taught by our team of graduate students from Stanford, MIT, and more, students receive a personalized learning experience in small groups with a student-teacher ratio of 5:1.
