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There is so much to look forward to as a high school sophomore at the end of the school year! Becoming an “upper class person,” driving, thinking seriously about post-secondary pathways, preparing for ACT/SAT tests, working at your local ice cream store for the summer, and the list goes on. But as a sophomore, it isn’t yet urgent to make long-term decisions.
However, it is time to begin to think about career options, shadowing professionals in careers in which you’re interested, deciding what you like to do or not do. It’s a time to think about what you want your future to look like. Do you enjoy working with your hands? Do you like working alone? Do you like working with technology?
There are so many resources to help you start to figure it out. LEAF has a Career Leaflet that contains many resources to help you match what you like to do with career choices. Ask your LEAF Advisor for a copy. Many careers don’t need a college education; others require not only college but a graduate degree, such as becoming a lawyer.
This year and the summer between sophomore and junior year are certainly times to reflect on you. How do you envision your world after high school? Is college important? Is working your choice? Or is it a combination or both? Do you want to learn a trade or work in manufacturing? Do you want to own your own beauty salon? Do you want to own your own business?
Talk to your families about your plans. Maybe your family knows someone you can talk to about a career that you are interested in. Do you want to be a dentist? Ask your dentist to spend some time in their office. Are you interested in becoming a firefighter? Go to your local fire house and ask questions…even try on some of the equipment they wear and carry.
The options are limitless. Take time to explore you. After all, your future is all about you!
Patricia G Egan, MBA, CFRE
Executive Director at LEAF
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