5 Essential Career Planning Resources for High School Students
Children start thinking about their career as young as seven, but they plot their future objectives more strategically in high school. During these formative years, students can take advantage of internships, which give them a chance to gain experience and exposure to various career fields. The more information students receive about career opportunities, the better informed they can be in making decisions about their future after high school.
To celebrate that February is Career and Technical Education Month, here are some of the best career resources for teens.
1. What Color Is Your Parachute? For Teens
“Discover yourself, design your future and plan for your dream job,” reads the subtitle on the cover of this teen guide to career success. Written by Carol Christen, a career strategist, and Richard N. Bolles, a career developer, this book covers everything from higher education to job interviews, with step-by-step exercises that help students measure their skills to transition from high school to college or a career seamlessly.
2. Career Outlook
Career Outlook, from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), is a government career portal designed for teens. There are various resources available on the website, including career planning tips and interviews with recent high school graduates. Students can browse national and state data to find the most popular and highest paying jobs across a range of industries—and discover what skills they need to land their dream role. The site is updated on a regular basis and focuses on a different occupation every month.
3. Teens’ Guide to College & Career Planning
This comprehensive guide features interviews with teens, parents, and career experts, with a focus on post-high school training. There’s information about choosing a college major, obtaining financial aid, and embarking on a career in the military, as well as resume and interview tips. Written by journalist Justin Ross Muchnick, this book serves as a primer for high school students who still haven’t determined their career goals.
4. Corporation for National and Community Service
The Corporation for National and Community Service is a federal government agency that supports service and responsibility. Its educational initiatives help students discover the skills they need to flourish after high school, and the nationalservice.gov website includes a directory of trade schools, where students can discover training programs from a range of disciplines. There is also information about volunteering, mentoring, and tutoring programs.
5. Now What? The Young Person’s Guide to Choosing the Perfect Career
This guide is like a career planning workshop for students, with useful techniques that let readers design their perfect career from scratch. Now What? written by social scientist Nicholas Lore includes charts, quizzes, and worksheets that match students with jobs based on their personality type. The result? Teens can discover their vocation long before they apply to college.
These resources help high school students identify and prioritize their future career goals, and they offer plenty of useful advice. Students can also benefit from career technical education in high school, which prepares them for college and the working world. Visit K12.com to learn about the many online schools that offer career education for high school students.
Related Articles
Online Learning
Six Ways Online Learning Transforms the Academic Journey
September 5 2024
Reading and Writing
Encouraging Kids to Love Writing: Fun Activities to Spark Creativity
September 3 2024
High School
A High School Senior’s Checklist for a Great Year
September 2 2024
K-12 Education
Turn Up the Music: The Benefits of Music in Classrooms
Bullying Prevention
How to Create a Bully-Free Zone
Health and Wellness
A Parent’s Guide to Managing and Reducing Student Stress
Bullying Prevention
Protecting Your Child from Bullying: Signs, Solutions, and the Role of Online Schools
Pop Culture
QUIZ: 20 Fun Trivia Facts to Celebrate Culture and Diversity
Society and Culture
15 Must-Read Books this Hispanic Heritage Month
K-12 Education
5 Factors That Affect Learning: Insights for Parents
College , College Application
Navigating the College Application Process: A Timeline for High School Students and Their Parents
Online Curriculum , Online Learning
Education Online? One Family’s Success Story
Esports vs. Traditional Sports: Exploring Their Surprising Similarities and Key Differences
School Choice
Tips for Choosing the Right School for Your Child
Homeschool , Sports and Athletics
Can Homeschooled Students Play School Sports?
What is Esports and Why Should My Child Participate?
Sports and Athletics
Enhance Your Student-Athlete’s Competitive Edge with Online Schooling
Enrollment and Back to School
Preparing for the First Day of Online School
Art and Music
Why Arts Education is Important in School
Online Learning
Online School Reviews: What People Are Saying About Online School
Technology
Smart Classrooms, Smart Kids: How AI is Changing Education
Parent Role
Everyone Wins When Parents Get Involved In Their Child’s Education
Enrollment and Back to School
5 Ways to Start the School Year with Confidence
E-Learning Best Practices
Top Four Reasons Families Are Choosing Online School in the Upcoming Year
Homework and Study
Tips for Scheduling Your Online School Day
Career Prep
Life After High School: Online School Prepares Your Child For The Future
Enrollment and Back to School
The Ultimate Back-to-School List for Online and Traditional School
Technology
Nurturing Digital Literacy in Today’s Kids: A Parent’s Guide
K-12 Education
What Public Schools Can Do About Special Education Teacher Shortages
listening to an audiobook with headphones. Her parents are sitting behind her on the couch, looking on." width="150" height="100" />
Reading and Writing
Audiobooks for Kids: Benefits, Free Downloads, and More
Socialization
7 Fun Outdoor Summer Activities for Kids
Society and Culture
Beat the Summer Slide: Tips for Keeping Young Minds Active
How to Encourage Your Child To Pursue a Career
Curriculum , STEM
Easy Science Experiments For Kids To Do At Home This Summer
4 Ways to Get Healthcare Experience in High School
Online Learning
5 Strategies for Keeping Students Engaged in Online Learning
Mental Health Awareness , Students
How Parents Can Prevent Isolation and Loneliness During Summer Break
The Ultimate Guide to Gift Ideas for Teachers
How to Thank a Teacher: Heartfelt Gestures They Won’t Forget
Military Families
Six Ways Online Schools Can Support Military Families
7 Things Teachers Should Know About Your Child
K-12 Education
Countdown to Graduation: How to Prepare for the Big Day
How am I Going to Pay for College?
Summer School
5 Major Benefits of Summer School
Art and Music
Inspiring an Appreciation for Poetry in Kids
A Parent’s Guide to Tough Conversations
Family Activities
The Importance of Reading to Children and Its Enhancements to Their Development
5 Steps to Master College-Level Reading
10 Timeless Stories to Inspire Your Reader: Elementary, Middle, and High Schoolers
A boy lays down to read a book in a library" width="150" height="100" />
Learning Resources and Tools
From Books to Tech: Why Libraries Are Still Important in the Digital Age
Trends in Education
The Evolution of Learning: How Education is Transforming for Future Generations
Student Activities
The Ultimate Guide to Reading Month: 4 Top Reading Activities for Kids
Movies and TV
Make Learning Fun: The 10 Best Educational YouTube Channels for Kids
February 27 2024
Career Prep
The Value of Soft Skills for Students in the Age of AI
February 20 2024
K-12 Education
30 Questions to Ask at Your Next Parent-Teacher Conference
February 6 2024
Career Prep
Four Life Skills to Teach Teenagers for Strong Resumes
January 25 2024
Student Activities
Exploring the Social Side of Online School: Fun Activities and Social Opportunities Await
Advanced Learning
Is Your Child Ready for Advanced Learning? Discover Your Options.
Family Activities
Your Ultimate Guide to Holiday Fun and Activities
December 18 2023
Arts and Crafts
Free Printable Holiday Coloring Pages to Inspire Your Child’s Inner Artist
December 12 2023
Traditional School
Five Reasons to Switch Schools Midyear
December 5 2023
Enrollment and Back to School
A Parent’s Guide to Switching Schools Midyear
November 29 2023
Homework and Study
Building Strong Study Habits: Back-to-School Edition
November 17 2023
A Parent’s Guide to Robotics for Kids
November 6 2023
Bullying Prevention
How to Get Ahead of Cyberbullying
October 30 2023
Bullying Prevention
Bullying’s Effect on Students and How to Help
October 25 2023
Bullying Prevention
Can You Spot the Warning Signs of Bullying?
October 16 2023
Bullying Prevention
Could the Online Classroom Be the Solution to Bullying?
October 11 2023
Bullying Prevention
Bullying Prevention Starts With Parents
STEM Careers
Infographic: Should High Schools Offer Career Education?
STEM Careers
Infographic: Plotting a Course for Career Readiness
STEM Careers
Career Readiness: Career Planning Starts in High School
Sign up for our newsletter
Subscribe to our newsletter and join America’s premier community dedicated to helping students reach their full potential.
Sign up for our newsletter
