It is common for 17- and 18-year-olds to struggle with deciding what to do after high school. For years, they've been told that they "need" to decide on a career to determine next steps – but how many high school juniors and seniors know exactly what they want to do with the next few years, let alone the rest of their lives?
Fortunately, there are a variety of paths that students can venture along to
find a job or career that interests them. Furthermore, there are indicators of who they are now that can help them decide what to do next.
COLLEGE: For the Student that Loves to Learn
While there may be a few students who admittedly love to learn, many would say that they want to continue exploring the academic world after high school graduation. For these students,
college is likely the best option. Some students may not know what they want to do with their lives, but they do know that college is the path they want to take to figure that out.
In college, students will take classes in various disciplines and potentially find a field that interests them. Their time in college may also include
internship opportunities, networking events, and the chance to develop professional skills through clubs and organizations on a college campus. Ultimately, their college experience will help to
prepare them for a job after graduation.
TRADE SCHOOL: For the Students who Want to Work Now
Then, there are those students who want to work right now. They know precisely what job or career they want to pursue, and they'll opt for
trade school vs college.
A recent
NPR article details the high interest Gen Z has in skill trades careers within the past few years. As some experts claim, skilled trades are making a big comeback, with some even giving Generation Z the alternate title of the Tool Belt Generation.
CNBC adds that 25% of all skilled-trade new hires were 18- to 25-year-olds in 2024.
Trade school programs offer students the chance to specialize in a job. They range in length from one to two years and teach students everything they need to know about performing a specific job. Instruction is a mix between classroom learning and real-world work experience. Examples of trade school jobs include dental hygienist, health care technician, electrician, and legal assistant.
An
apprenticeship is somewhat similar to a trade school degree; however, the education involved can take three to five years. Though the learning commitment is longer, apprentices start getting paid on day one and learn exclusively on the job.
MILITARY ENLISTMENT: For the Student That Wants to Serve
If a student is
interested in serving in the military, after high school graduation is the time to join. Students can either enlist right away or attend college through the
ROTC programs.
Joining the ROTC will enable students to attend college without paying any college costs. There are a variety of careers within the military for those who graduate through the ROTC, like health care, aviation, finance, engineering, chemistry, law enforcement, and transportation.
Students can also enlist right after high school and have access to education benefits while on active duty or as a veteran. Get more information about enlisting at
Military.com.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE: For the Student That's on the Fence About College
Next, there are students who are interested in college but don't know yet if it's the right next step for them. They may not be ready to commit the next four years to learning in the classroom. Or they may prefer to start their
post-high school life closer to home before going away to college.
For those students who are on the fence about college,
community college is a great option. Choosing a community college vs. a university allows students to explore general education courses without paying the full cost of college.
Community college poises students to either transfer to a four-year university or graduate with an associate degree within two years. While taking courses, they can consider whether the field they're interested in requires further education or if they have the freedom to get to work sooner rather than later.
Attending community college also allows for greater flexibility. Students pursuing this degree can work part- or even full-time to help cover education costs because classes are offered during the day and evening.
GAP YEAR: For the Student that Needs a Break
Finally, an increasing number of students don't know what they want to do after high school – and that's ok. These students are taking a gap year after high school, which has been the norm in countries like England and Australia for some time now.
Malia Obama, former President Obama's daughter, made it a little more mainstream for U.S. students when she opted for a gap year 2016 before attending Harvard University.
COVID brought back the Gap Year as some students and their families suffered from economic and health setbacks.
During the gap year, students may opt to participate in special gap-year programs,
take on an internship, do a more in-depth college search, or work part-time. The gap year is for exploration, and there are no rules about what a student can or can't do. They just need to do something.
Scholarships for Every Schooling Option
Though the path after high school graduation looks different for everyone, one component remains the same: scholarships. A common misconception about scholarships is that they are just for students pursuing a four-year degree. However, that could not be further from the truth.
There are scholarships for students in trade school, the military, community college, and four-year universities. Students can even find
gap year scholarships!
Students – and their parents – can create a Fastweb profile to see which
scholarships they qualify for. By indicating which school or degree option they intend to pursue after high school, they will be matched to corresponding scholarships. We recommend that students apply to 1-2 scholarships per week to maximize their chances of winning.
Ready to get started on the scholarship search?
Create a Fastweb profile now.