Find a Career

Trade School Jobs

Have you ever wondered if there are any options after high school other than college and working? Contrary to popular belief, there actually are a wide variety of programs and professional training tracks that you can choose from. Trade schools, for example, are a great option for those lucky graduates who happen to know exactly what jobs they want to do. We asked Ashley Parker, media relations manager for the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), to fill us in on exactly what is a trade school and what trade school jobs might be available.

Ashley, exactly what is a trade school?

Also known as a technical school, a trade or vocational school offers students educational opportunities in specific career fields. A trade school equips students with job-specific technical skills, core academic skills in order to function in the workplace and in routine daily activities, and employability skills (such as critical thinking and responsibility) that are essential in any career area.

There are 16 “career clusters,” or groupings of trade school jobs options, available for students to pursue. These include: agriculture, food and natural resources, architecture and construction, arts/AV technology & communications, business management and administration, education & training, finance, government and public administration, health science, hospitality and tourism, human services, information technology, law, public safety, corrections and security, manufacturing, marketing, STEM, transportation/distribution and logistics.

Where are these programs offered?

Career and Technical Education (CTE) prepares both youth and adults for a wide range of careers and further educational opportunities. These careers may require varying levels of education — including industry-recognized credentials, postsecondary certificates and two-and four-year degrees. CTE is offered in middle schools, high schools, area career and technical centers, community and technical colleges, and other postsecondary institutions.

What is the ultimate learning objective for students who attend these programs?

The ultimate objective is to obtain the skills and competencies needed in a particular career field as well as core academic skills and employability. The degree or credentials available for students vary based on the type of program and the requirements of the trade school jobs in that field.

What do you feel is the most challenging aspect of attending trade schools?

Unlike a typical four-year university where students don’t have to declare a major program until sophomore or junior year, students at vocational or trade schools usually select a program to enroll into right away. So, for a student who is not yet sure what jobs they want to pursue, this may be a challenging decision to make. For example, if a student enrolls in a paralegal program and then decides in a year to switch to health sciences, it is unlikely that much of their previous coursework will transfer over to the new program.

What do most students generally do after graduating from a trade school program?

This varies widely! Experts are projecting 47 million trade school jobs opening in the decade ending in 2018. About 1/3 of those jobs will require an associate’s degree or certificate, and nearly all will require real-world skills that can be mastered through CTE. The majority of trade school graduates go on to obtain jobs in a career that corresponds to their program of study.

What is a trade school better suited for as opposed to a 4-year program?

There are numerous advantages for students. A trade school offers degrees and credentials that take a shorter period of time; some consisting of a few weeks, while some take up to two years. A student spends less time in school and is able to enter the workforce more quickly. CTE schools are also less costly than their 4-year counterparts. Students are exposed to and able to interact with their career field in meaningful ways through internships, hands-on learning in the classroom or apprenticeships, where students in 4-year schools are often unable to pursue internships until sophomore or junior year.

Another benefit is that many trade schools have articulation agreements with the local 4-year university, so a student can continue to pursue higher education in a particular field by linking an associate’s degree or credential earned at trade school with a bachelor’s program.

Where should high school students go to find out more about  trade school jobs and programs they are interested in?

High school students considering a trade school should look for schools with strong ties to the local industry and business community. Search through advisory councils, internship/apprenticeship opportunities and faculty. Focus on the numerous programs offered in career fields that are in-demand or projected to grow, and programs that offer rigorous academics. Ask to speak to program faculty, tour facilities and inquire about job placement prospects for graduates.

Parker offers some words of encouragement for the graduating classes to come: “The most important thing is for a student to make the best choice for his/her career goals.”

For more information about career and technical education, visit the ACTE website at www.acteonline.org. We hope you will consider trade schools as a great alternative — both competitive and applicable, not only for your career, but also as you begin to enter the world as an independent, successful adult.

Sarah Girouard recently received her master’s in education from Nazareth College (www.naz.edu) and plans to teach high school English.

Building a Resume Tips

You’ve heard it before and you’ll hear it again — colleges like to see their applicants do more than just excel in school. They like to see involvement in extracurriculars, participation in the community, an active volunteering streak, or maybe even a combination of all three! It can get exhausting to try to get all of the bases covered, but it can also be fun. Building a resume begins with creating experiences worth writing about.

Try these five steps to building a resume that works for you;

Choose activities that will look good and be fun for you. This may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised to hear how many students put themselves through extracurricular horrors in the name of building a resume. Don’t do it! If you hate writing, don’t participate in the student newspaper. If you can’t tolerate sports, don’t volunteer to be a team booster. Remember, if you loathe your extracurriculars, you won’t enjoy them and — even worse for resumé-building purposes — your participation in them will be miserable and any leadership positions will pass you by.

Don’t be afraid to try new or unconventional things. Just because you haven’t tried something doesn’t mean you won’t like it. If you’re having a hard time thinking of groups you’d like to join, go with something you’ve never done before. Or, try something that might not immediately seem like the perfect fit for your personality or skills. Go to a few meetings, participate in a few events and see if it clicks. If it does, you’ve found a new hobby! If it doesn’t, you’ve learned what you don’t want to do and can try your luck with another group. Don’t worry; you’ll eventually find something and it’ll be truly enjoyable because you took the time to really find out what motivates and interests you.

Don’t overdo it. While some students struggle to find a few extracurriculars that interest them, you might find yourself on the other side of the coin: having way too many extracurriculars on your plate. Suddenly, you’ll find yourself involved in the student newspaper, yearbook, choir, drama, chess club, math club, team booster…and that’s just on Tuesdays! While keeping yourself busy is a good thing, it’s never a good idea to be so busy that you can’t devote enough time to each of your activities or to your schoolwork. Colleges would rather see extended, consistent commitment to a few groups than superficial participation in many.

Be consistent. Once you’ve found the groups you want to get involved in, be consistent in your participation. Attend meetings, volunteer for events, ask for greater responsibilities and lead committees. Not only will this keep you abreast of what is happening in the group, it will also help in building a rapport with the rest of its members, which will, in turn, make it easier for you to secure leadership positions down the line.

Aim to lead. This should be the eventual goal of your participation in any student group, at least as far as resumé-building goes. While colleges like to see consistent participation in your groups, they like to see evidence of leadership even more. Once you’ve been in a group for a year or more, start thinking about which positions you’d like to campaign for and obtain during your junior and senior years. Don’t just be a part of a group — help keep it going in the right direction!

Building a good resume is easier and more effective if you choose activities that catch and hold your interest.

Veterinarian Career

Most people see veterinarians as the doctors who take care of our cats, dogs, rabbits or birds. But what many don’t know is that veterinary medicine is a multidimensional and broad medical field. We asked Dr. Bennie Osburn, interim executive director of the Association of American Veterinary Medical Colleges (AAVMC) and former dean of UC Davis College of Veterinary Medicine (www.vetmed.ucdavis.edu), to fill us in on what he feels a rewarding and fascinating veterinarian career is all about.

Veterinary Medicine

What exactly does veterinary medicine mean?

“It is considered the most diverse and comprehensive of all health professions,” says Dr. Osburn. “Veterinary medicine covers the health and welfare of all domesticated and wildlife species, whether those animals live on land or in water.”

But veterinarian medicine isn’t just for animals. Dr. Osburn explains that we are closely linked to our furry friends. “A veterinarian career extends to agriculture, food production and environmental systems that affect the health of both animals and people.” Veterinarians even play a role in controlling diseases that could jump from animals to people by overseeing the safety of the food that we eat.

So what exactly does it take to become a veterinarian?

The first step is deciding which specific part of veterinary medicine you are most interested in. “The majority of veterinarians work in companion animal practice (with family pets)” explains Dr. Osburn, “followed by large animal practice (farms, ranches, etc.). Others work for federal and state regulatory agencies, and some focus on veterinary research.” This broad range in specialization options stems from the field’s firm study of scientific and medical background. Having that foundation allows those going into a veterinary career to spread across varying responsibilities.

Dr. Osburn advises students considering this field to invest in science and math within higher education. “Almost all colleges of veterinary medicine will require similar prerequisites, but aspiring students should be aware of the specific requirements of their program.” He suggests visiting individual CVM websites or even the AAVMC website (www.aavmc.org) for more details.

Common prerequisite classes include:    

-Math (for quantitative studies, business, and formulation of physiological and chemical information)

-Chemistry (especially biochemistry for understanding the basis of physiological and pharmacological interactions)

-Biology and general sciences (for understanding animal and plant characteristics and interactions)

-Physics (for understanding applications of technology for imagining, diagnostics, and structure/function relationships)

These prerequisite classes can be taken at the high school level, but typically, it takes about three to four years beyond high school to complete a thorough study in these courses. Dr. Osburn specifies that “all US veterinary college programs leading to the Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree (DVM or VMD) are four-year programs at this time.” There are also advanced studies available beyond the college level, which could lead to a master’s or doctoral (PhD) degree for those interested in in-depth, discipline-based degrees under the broad umbrella of veterinary medicine.

Whichever specific aspect of veterinary medicine you choose, the motivating passion for caring for and improving the lives of animals and people alike is what makes a veterinarian career truly rewarding and valuable.

How to Get a Job and Keep it

Five weeks into my first part time-job, I got the call nobody wants to receive. My boss got right to the point, “I have to let you go, it’s not working out. You’re a good kid, but….”

I’d been fired. Epic fail!

At the time, I had no clue how to keep a job and be a good employee. The truth is, many teenagers haven’t been taught what to expect in the working world. Here are some tips for success in your first part-time job!

Know why and where you want to work

Is this your first part-time job? Are you looking for a part-time job to help pay for college expenses, or transportation? You may need to work a certain number of hours every week. If you are just looking for extra spending money, you may be able to work a few hours per week. In other words, know what you plan to earn money for before you decide where to apply! Many teens choose to work in restaurants, retail, theatres or simple office jobs. In fact, these are the most common areas where teens will work.

How to get a job with future benefits

However, you can benefit from finding work relevant to your future career interests. If you know what majors or field you are interested in, look for jobs related to that area. Thinking about becoming a teacher? Consider working in a day care, babysitting or tutoring to earn extra cash and get the experience of working with younger children. Medical oriented students might look into possible jobs at a hospital or medical office. Check for age requirement and specific areas of employment for young people. Perhaps you love to work with animals and dream of being a zoologist or veterinarian. Check your local pet store, shelter, zoo or vet’s office for employment opportunities. Let potential employers know your interests and life goals and they may be more willing to give you a try!

Be wise when choosing jobs

Make sure your skills match the employer’s expectations. If the job is in a fast-paced environment like a restaurant, make sure you are a suitable fit. Do you want to work on your feet, or do you want to sit in an office? Think about what you enjoy in life. Start with those jobs first. Don’t be afraid to try something new if it dovetails with your passion.

Making a first impression: interview tips

Jacob, general manager of a Mexican fast food restaurant, has owned and managed several restaurants over the past 35 years. “Future performance is based on past behavior,” he states. “You are always being evaluated long before you put in an application. If you come in for an application and then ask for a pen to fill out your paperwork, or my phone to check your contact numbers, that shows me you are not prepared for this job.” It pays to come in ready and equipped to make a good impression.

You may not need a suit and tie or dress when applying for a restaurant or retail job, but your clothes do need to be neat and appropriately professional. Leave the baggy pants or wrinkled T-shirts at home, even if that is what everyone else is wearing. You are asking an employer to put their trust in you. Present yourself as someone capable of being part of their team.

“Try to convince the person you interview with that you will benefit the company,” David Clarke, owner of Buon Giorno coffee house in Grapevine, Texas, suggests. “I need to know you are not just collecting a paycheck. Don’t ask about money first. I know you want to get paid, but I want to know how much you are willing to give. I will cut off an interview when asked that question.”

Being a great employee: How to Keep a Job

Knowing how to get a job is great, but learning how to keep a job may be just as important. Teen workers are an indispensable part of America’s workforce. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that 80 percent of teens will hold a job before leaving high school. Understanding how to get that important job and keep it is essential to meeting your life goals.

Clarke is extremely picky about whom he hires. He’s only had to fire two or three employees during the five years his coffee house business has been opened. “It’s not just about earning money,” he says. A prospective employee’s main reason for working here needs to be showing love, respect and service to your co-workers, the business establishment and especially your

community.”

Employers look for people who are hardworking, dependable, responsible and honest. Yet, they also want workers who care about their establishment and want to see it be successful. Such employees are there on time, ready to work and help make that business thrive. These workers get the better raises and promoted to higher positions. There are also a few other things to keep in mind when taking on a job.

“I’d like them to be aware of their approach to the working world,” Jacob says. “Some young people may just want gas or spending money, but it’s a livelihood to most of the other workers. This is not a game. It’s a serious activity. I want them to take that to heart.”

Whatever the job you are seeking, be sure to keep a professional attitude and take it seriously. Of course you want the paycheck, but the lessons learned and life skills obtained when working in the community are indispensable. Clarke adds, “They need to know they are not just doing me a favor, but themselves a favor by taking pride in the work they do here.”

You are important

Many establishments depend on teen workers. Yes, it often begins with minimum wage, but if you work hard, the raises will come and so do promotions.

Those who join the workforce early are more prepared to attend college and able to take on the heavy workload. They also are ahead of their peers who wait until after graduation to start finding jobs. Colleges, as well as future employers, look for those who are hard workers and take on responsibility well. Are you ready for the challenge?

How to Find the Right Career

Q: Should I choose a career because of job outlook—even if I think I’ll hate the work?

A: What’s hot and what’s not predictions of supply and demand, outlook, or descriptions of futuristic careers are not reliable, nor realistic. But, inter-networking and interpersonal networking will provide data needed to set career field and job function goals.

Remember…

• If you can describe a job, you might someday get that job.

• If you’ve met someone with a job you would like, you can someday get that job.

• The more people you meet in career fields of interest, the more likely you will succeed in those fields.

These three statements provide realistic and time-tested approaches to how to find the right career (what career to choose) and goal articulation. Today, learning about career fields, jobs and educational requirements, is a point and click away.

If you’re wondering how to find the right career for you, Enter any career related phrase, including those you hear about in “top fields” and “future careers” articles, into Google, Yahoo, Bing or Ask. As you read downward look inward and think about values, interests and personality traits—not about outlook. Soon, you will be able to state: “The more I read about [insert three fields], the more I want to meet someone in these fields?”

Soon after inter-networking, conduct interpersonal networking. This involves e-mail communiqués, reviews of profiles on career websites, as well as in person or phone interactions.

Networking via “information conversations” is how you learn about career and educational biographies. The last question you should always ask is: “Can you suggest two or three persons I can talk to about their backgrounds?”

Once you have role models, you can follow in their metaphorical footsteps and the path becomes so much clearer. While you should envision weeks, months and years ahead, don’t try to control the future. Take steps that involve continued cyber sleuthing, networking for information and inquiry to potential internship sites or formal application for hire.

Introspection and information yield goal clarification! Soon, you will know what career to choose!

Through books, articles and counseling, Burt Nadler, a career services professional, inspires high school students, college students and others to clarify, articulate and, step by step, to attain career, academic and personal goals.

Women in Science

Nerd. Geek. Smarty pants. You’ve heard them all. And you have powered through, holding strong to the knowledge that girls can do anything. So what is next? If the research is correct, a science, technology, engineering or mathematics career is waiting for you!

In 2012, the Girl Scouts of America revealed research that shows women are nearly half (48 percent) of the United State’s workforce, but they are underrepresented in STEM careers (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Interestingly, employers are vying for women graduating from STEM programs and, overall, women in STEM careers are better compensated than in other fields. So why aren’t more girls heading into this field?

STEM Careers

Much of the discussion surrounding women in STEM careers centers on concerns that girls in grade school are discouraged from making science and math a priority. However, it seems that groups like the American Association of University Women, the Society of Women Engineers and even President Obama’s Council on Women and Girls are trying to change that thinking. What should you know? Read on for the basics.  

Where to start

Colleges across the country have programs designed to assist women into STEM careers. Many four year schools offer everything from summer camps to workshops to assist you with an understanding of the course requirements you will need to pursue a career in one of the STEM fields.

For example, Karen A. Full, director of undergraduate admissions at Kettering University (kettering.edu) says, “Kettering University offers a two-week experience for high school juniors called LITE (Lives Improved Through Engineering) that teaches girls how engineers apply science, math and technology to finding solutions to human problems.” Also take advantage of career fairs at school, inquire about job shadowing with your guidance counselor and try to explore many different fields before you choose a college major.

Types of STEM careers

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2012) confirms that STEM fields are expected to add 2.7 million new jobs by 2018. Don’t think you will be stuck in a lab with test tubes all day if you choose a STEM career (unless, of course, you want to be in a lab). Think about collaborating with others and working as a team to invent the next hydrogen powered car or iPhone app. If you like art, consider the field of animation, illustrating or cartooning. Full also shared that “attending a cooperative education university can help students find the right field as well.” Students can apply what they are learning in school to real-life settings in the professional world and use that knowledge determine if a particular discipline is the right fit for them.

The right fit for women in science

Finding the right career path is difficult, but assistance from a mentor can be helpful. Carole Vogt, associate principal engineer — packaging, has had a few mentors in her decade-long career at Kraft Foods. Presently, “my mentor is also my boss who helps me maneuver through the business side of things,” Vogt shared. “His assistance has helped me gain confidence in my problem solving and technical skills, and his advice allows me to fine-tune different aspects of my position, such as presentations and clear, concise directions.”  

The bottom line

There is more opportunity than ever for young women in science to pursue and succeed in a STEM career. Start by identifying which jobs and skills appeal to you and then actively pursue mentors to guide you toward your goals and interests. With a dedication of time and effort, as well as assistance from a guidance counselor and a college admissions professional, you’ll find yourself headed for success!

Kelli O’Connor is a freelance writer in Rochester, N.Y.

Occupational Therapy Programs

Think about the activities you do every day: taking a shower, surfing the internet, driving to a friend’s house. Imagine you couldn’t do them by yourself.

Occupational therapists work with people who have these challenges and help them live on their own. Some of their patients have disabilities or were injured in accidents.

Therapists figure out how to treat patients so they can go about everyday life independently. That could mean teaching someone how to use a walker after having hip replacement surgery or helping a teacher plan lessons for a student with autism.

Occupational therapy is a diverse field. Practitioners work in patients’ homes, offices, schools and hospitals. It’s a rewarding profession for those who enjoy helping people.

“You would not believe how disheartening it is for someone to not be able to wash their own hair because they just had a stroke,” says Jamie Morris, who has a master’s degree in occupational therapy from Loma Linda University (www.llu.edu).

A master’s degree is required to be an occupational therapist, but you can work as an occupational therapy assistant if you have an associate’s degree.

Occupational Therapy Career: A job with variety

“We have such a broad scope of practice that there’s something for everyone,” says Karen Jacobs, a clinical professor in the occupational therapy department at Boston University (www.bu.edu). Practitioners can work full-time or part-time and build flexible schedules.

Occupational therapists work with babies, the elderly and everybody in between.

Jacobs, who has studied how students use computers, says she might teach a child how to set up his laptop. She also gives advice to parents, like pointing them to a software program that prompts kids to take breaks to stretch while using the computer.

As the population of the United States ages, experts predict an increased demand for occupational therapists who work with older adults. Jeremy Furniss of Ergo Solutions, a company that specializes in rehabilitation of people who are at least 65, says he can’t find enough qualified occupational therapists to hire.

Typical day in an occupational Therapy career

Therapists with Ergo Solutions, which is based in Washington, D.C., work with patients who have been released from hospitals, but need help living independently. They might not be able to cook or get dressed without assistance.

Therapists there have seven or eight patients each day. Treatments are designed for individual patients based on their limitations and goals. “Some of the treatments could be in the kitchen cooking,” says Furniss, the company’s vice president of operations. “Some of them could be in the swimming pool. Some of them could be on horseback.”

Furniss says therapists at his company spend about 80 percent of their time working one-on-one with patients.

A promising career

An occupational therapy career may be a good option if you want to work in health care, but don’t want to be a doctor. About 109,000 occupational therapists worked in the U.S. in 2010, and about 145,000 are expected to be needed in 2020.

Therapists need to be good listeners and able to connect with people because they have to motivate patients to accomplish difficult tasks. Creativity also helps.

“I think it’s one of the most creative fields within health care and within medicine because each therapy is individualized for each patient,” Furniss says. Many get into the field after seeing an occupational therapist help a friend or relative. That was the case for Morris, who volunteered at a foster home for infants with health problems when she was in high school. One of those babies was born with several illegal drugs in her body and suffered a brain injury after being shaken by her birth mother.

Morris’ family eventually adopted that infant and an occupational therapist helped the little girl learn to crawl and talk. “We got to watch firsthand what therapy can do,” Morris says. She studied psychology at Regis University (www.regis.edu) before earning her master’s degree in an occupational therapy program.

Jacobs says graduate students in occupational therapy programs have bachelor’s degrees in a wide range of majors, from social work to marketing. Master’s degree programs include a combination of classes and fieldwork experiences in which students work with real patients.

Occupational therapy is an attractive field for students looking for a career that allows for a balanced life, Jacobs says. “Every day, you get to wake up and go to work and feel really good about yourself,” she says. “You’re impacting a person’s life.”

Rebecca VanderMeulen has a degree in journalism from American University

(www.american.edu).

Education required:
Master's degree in occupational therapy

Licenses: Required in each state

Median salary: $72,320

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Helpful Tips for College and Career Readiness

If you don’t like your 8:30 class on Monday morning, you are going to hate your job at 8:30 on Monday morning. And your job is going to last a heck of a lot longer.

That’s why John Strelecky says career decisions should be in line with your interests—not necessarily with the hottest new career in the field. “You have to find a heart connection to a job,” says Strelecky, author of The Why Café. And if you don’t have that connection, “you’re just trading time for money. That’s a sad future,” he adds. How are you starting your college and career readiness?

Consider this: 30 percent of entering college freshmen drop-out; the average completion of a college degree now takes six years; and 64 percent of employees under the age of 25 are unhappy in their jobs. These are sad statistics. So how do you ensure you don’t become another sad figure? Find the right fit.

College and Career Readiness: What’s your fit?

Both college and career readiness begin with finding the right fit. How do you decide on a career that’s in line with your passion? Jim Beqaj, a recruiting consultant, career coach and author of How to Hire the Perfect Employer, has helped answer the important question, “do you have the fit factor?”??

Beqaj, who spent 20 years in the financial security system, says he never quite fit. “Imagine how much better I would have done and how much more fun I would have had if I had fit,” he says.

So what’s fit? It’s more than passion, Beqaj says. You have to consider what you want to be doing and what you are good at. In addition to the passion, you need the skills to succeed. If you could create a job for yourself, what would it be? You may enjoy playing golf or watching basketball, but that doesn’t mean you would be a good fit in the industry.

Need some help figuring out what your fit is? Beqaj says everybody needs an infomercial. “If you don’t have an infomercial you are relying on somebody else to tell you who you are,” he says. Creating your infomercial tells prospective employers what you’re good at, what kinds of people you work best with, if you’re detail oriented and how you resolve conflict.

Find the companies that need what you’re good at and distinguish yourself from the other applicants. Talk about why you’re the best candidate to strike the right “match” in terms of philosophy, vision and culture. Plus, if you are working a job you don’t like, you are likely worse at it and less motivated, which could equal less pay and chance for promotion. Employers will certainly notice your lack of enthusiasm. Fortunately, it goes both ways.

“When you have deep, deep expertise in something, you become irreplaceable and it’s easy to get deep, deep expertise in something when you love it,” Strelecky says. Plus, that means someone will pay you more for your skill sets.

Career exploration: Too many opinions

Up until you are 17 or 18 everyone tells you what to do. Then you get ready to graduate and people start asking you about your future. It can be a bit overwhelming. Strelecky writes, “Most people make significant academic and then career decisions based on the feedback of family and friends. Sure these people mean well, but they aren’t you. Listening to others is only part of college and career readiness. If you can’t listen to your own wants and needs, then you’re in trouble.”

He’s talking from experience. Strelecky’s dad was a dentist, so he figured he’d follow in his footsteps. But he soon realized dentistry was not his passion. His real passion was to become a pilot so he could work and see the world. After pilot school, at the age of 22, Strelecky was diagnosed with a heart condition that meant he could never fly again. Fortunately, Strelecky realized he could still see the world. He just needed to find another fit. “We’ve got lots of options at our disposal,” he says.

Still not sure? That’s OK. Every student’s personal situation is very different. Some students have known what they want to be since they were 5 years old. But most people switch majors at least once, usually twice. Then within two years of graduating college they end up working in an industry that’s not relevant to their college degree. So don’t worry so much about what your major is called or what careers are hot. If you look at people who are truly successful—in all definitions of success—they are all doing something they are psyched about. Find people who are successful in what you want to do and figure out how they found success. Ask them what courses they took in college and about their career path.

College and career readiness begins with passion.  Strelecky writes, “The common thread among truly successful people in fields as diverse as those of Bill Gates to Bill Maher is that they are passionate about what they do. That passion is what creates drive, and that drive is what leads to success.”

Take as many different classes as you can. Backpack around the world. Take a semester at sea. Strelecky says it best: “Now’s the time to have a very broad horizon until you lock into that thing where you say, ‘that’s it!’”

Enid Arbelo Bryant is Editor in Chief of NextStepU Magazine.

Thinking about your career choices can be stressful business, especially as an upperclassman in high school. The pressure of deciding just who and what you want to be can often feel overwhelming. But one career choice has been putting young people on the right track for many years: the military.

There’s more to the military than boot camp and fatigues. In fact, enlisting or becoming an officer in one of the branches of the military can provide you with the career skills you need to succeed in life. It is also a terrific arena to experiment with different types of jobs to see which one suits you best.

The following representatives will give you an inside look at the career options, skills and benefits of joining the military.

Skills for the business world
As young women, Angie Morgan and Courtney Lynch joined the Marines.

“The great thing about the Marine Corps is it’s a military branch that operates on the land, sea and in the air,” says Lynch. “There are pilots, lawyers, communications specialists, infantry troops, air traffic controllers, graphic designers, supply clerks, combat correspondents and many other diverse specialties available to those that want to serve.”

Now leading lives as successful businesswomen, Morgan and Lynch founded a consulting firm, Lead Star LLC, that helps women develop leadership skills.

“Not only did our military service provide us with the leadership training we needed to succeed in life, it gave us the opportunity to lead and manage others at a very young age,” says Lynch.
From responsibility to leadership, accountability and performance quality, “you can hone these career skills in the military,” says Morgan. 

Tons of jobs
An admissions/scholarship officer in the military science department at the University of Texas at Arlington, Lt.Col. Kevin R. Smith, says the military offers a wide selection of careers.

As an enlisted member, “just about any career you can imagine in the civilian world exists in the military,” says Smith, from administration to health care.

Officer careers begin at management levels and require a bachelor’s degree.

The military—all branches included—helps provide you with an education that gets you off to a good start in the world. And you’ll have the bonus of serving your country and acquiring hands-on training in your profession.

Career direction
To help you decide what career path to follow, take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), says Smith.

“This test is designed to help soldiers know more about themselves and help them pick the right job to realize their goals,” he says.

Even if you don’t know what you plan on doing with your life, enlisting in the Army “will give you a jump start into life financially, emotionally and educationally,” says Smith.

Military college opportunities
Retired commander of the U.S. Navy Drury C. Nimmich, Jr. works as assistant director of admissions at The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. He spends his days interacting with young adults and helping them make important decisions about their lives.

By attending a military college, you are “given the opportunity to personally interact with active duty officers holding positions in career fields [you] are seeking,” says Nimmich. This is great for people who aren’t sure about what they want to do as a career, and helps guide them in the right direction.

Nimmich emphasizes that career fields in each branch of the military differ. Because each branch has its own policies, careers differ depending on the branch you join. Attending military college can also give you a heads up as to the right branch of the military for you, should you eventually decide to join.

Whether or not you decide to join the military, keep in mind the benefits associated with signing up. Education, life experience and practical career skills can help you land the job you want during of after your time in service. And again, you’ll also have the honor of serving your country.

Everyone wants to know what you will study in college. But do you know the answer?

As you read through the descriptions and courses, your eyes linger on the art department’s listings. You picture yourself manipulating copper wire in art metal design class and splicing scenes in video imaging and you feel happy — like those classes would hardly constitute what you think of as school.

Suddenly, your practical-self interrupts your daydream: What are you thinking? How could studying art possibly help you make a living in the real world? Besides, you are pretty sure your parents wouldn’t be exactly thrilled to hear you’ve chosen basket weaving over business.

So, you scroll back to Accounting. Though the classes sound dull, you are convinced you will at least be employable when you graduate.

If this sounds familiar, you are probably an artist at heart.

Somehow mentioning the study of art leads people to assume you will be a "starving artist." The truth is, not all creativity is found in the art department. With good information and a solid plan, you can enjoy a fulfilling and lucrative artistic future in nearly any industry.

It’s up to you to convince your loved ones (and perhaps even yourself) that your artistic aspiration does not guarantee a one-way ticket to the poorhouse.

Be realistic
Carol Lloyd, author of “Creating a Life Worth Living” and executive director of Greatschools.org, encourages creative types to supplement artistic training with a skill. She says those who expect to pursue traditional artistic careers need to recognize their lives will likely be entrepreneurial. It makes sense to hone marketing, communication, networking and money management skills to ensure you’ll earn a living.

“It’s unrealistic to think you will paint every day in an ivory tower and that someone will care enough to seek out and purchase your work,” says Lloyd. That’s a fast road to failure, she warns. “There are no serious artists out there (the successful ones) who do not have serious business acumen. They just don’t exist anymore,” she says.

But artistic careers are not just limited to studio painting, drawing and photography.

Choose your direction
Artistic careers encompass a wide range of positions across industries. Some require working collaboratively while others allow you to work alone. A few are technical and science-based while others let you imagine and create in free form. Each field suits different personalities and will require specific artistic and life skills. For instance:

Design
Designers often work in team environments, translating ideas into art and form. Good designers know how to communicate well and are open to suggestions. Would you call yourself a visual person? When you study, do you draw pictures to better understand concepts? You might be destined for design.

Careers in design might include: visual, sound, graphic, product, curriculum and architectural.

Writing
Writers love words, but not all writers love the same kinds of words. Some prefer writing long, fictional stories while others prefer writing short, technical pieces or compelling sales messages. Do you journal and write letters to express your thoughts? Can you easily turn ideas into words? Nearly every industry, from car manufacturers to software developers, needs writers.

As a writer, you could write poetry, educational materials, screenplays, journalistic pieces, company manuals, catalog descriptions and grants.

Management
Those who manage artistic projects know how to put pieces together. For instance, a museum curator doesn’t design art, but decides how art collections should be displayed for flow and visual effect. An editor might not write articles, but knows how to organize a magazine’s graphics, copy and advertisements. Are you the one who pulls group projects together? Do you recognize team member strengths and know how to use them? You might consider working toward artistic management in a field that interests you.

Creative management careers include art direction, event coordination, business marketing, wedding planning, museum curation and editing.

Get schooled
A continuing education will never be wasted, whether you choose a vocationally-destined major such as accounting, or an artistic one like fine arts. Traditional majors may help you break into certain industries, while artistic majors offer less obvious benefits.

“Art training helps you bring new perspectives to the workplace,” says Lloyd. In her office, for instance, a cinematography graduate improved her company’s website by incorporating filmmaking and documentary skills. Employees with artistic training are hugely valuable and can make their own opportunities to reshape jobs that aren’t so interesting, she says.

She suggests attending a four-year college if you can manage it. Technical schools are great options, too, but she emphasizes again that students absolutely must build technical skills to support their art. “You’ll need to merge your art with reality,” she says.

Today’s technology has ushered in the need for talented, creative and innovative workers. Visual art, industrial design and digital media are some of the newer creative opportunities available.

“Literature and painting offer a limited understanding of what an artistic career looks like,” says Lloyd. Too many give up after going through turmoil trying to figure out where and how they are meant to be creative, she says. “And that’s too bad because they were meant to have artistic careers.”

Do not fear your artistic desires. Use your creativity to look beyond traditional artistic careers and find new places where you can add beauty to the world.

Carrie Schmeck is a special features and business copywriter from northern California.

Teen Advisory Board

Q: What is your creative passion? Do you plan to apply it to your career someday?

“My creative passion is acting. I love being able to try out different personalities and being able to get away with it…I don’t plan to apply this to my career though.”

— Anna Kenoyer
Newell, South Dakota