Congrats!! You have made it!! The future is bright...
High school is a stressful time for any teenager, and it's hard to know what to do after graduation. As a senior portrait photographer in the Chesterfield, Virginia area, I hear teens talk about these decisions all the time. It’s A LOT to have to make such big choices about your future! But don't worry: there are so many different options available to you—and with a little research, you can find the one that's right for your personality, interests, and goals. Here are some of the most common options:
4-year college or university
The most obvious advantage of going to college is that you'll earn a degree, which can help open doors to better jobs and more money. In fact, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), people with bachelor's degrees earn more than those with only high school diplomas--and they're also less likely to be unemployed. In addition, employers often prefer applicants who have gone on to higher education; even if you don't get your first choice of job after graduation day, having that extra credential could make all the difference in getting hired over someone else who doesn't have it (or even applying at all).
However, college can be expensive. In 2021 the average cost of a four-year education in the US was $35,551 per year. This includes tuition and fees, room and board, books, and other expenses. Over four years, the average cost of a four-year education is $142,200.
The cost of college varies depending on the type of institution, location, and the student's financial aid package. Public colleges and universities are generally less expensive than private colleges and universities. In-state students at public colleges and universities typically pay less than out-of-state students. And students who receive financial aid often pay less than the full cost of attendance.
The cost of college has been rising steadily in recent years. Between 2008 and 2018, the average cost of tuition and fees at four-year colleges and universities increased by 25%. This increase has made it more difficult for many families to afford college. There are a number of things that families can do to help offset the cost of college. These include saving money early, applying for financial aid, and working part-time while in school.
2-year community college
If you're looking for a less expensive option, consider a two-year community college. The average cost of community college in the USA in 2021 was $3,730 for in-district students and $8,210 for out-of-state students. This includes tuition and fees, but does not include the cost of room and board, books, or other expenses. The cost of community college varies depending on the state and the college or university. For example, the average cost of community college in California is $4,542, while the average cost of community college in Texas is $2,970.
There are a number of ways to reduce the cost of community college. One way is to apply for financial aid. Many students qualify for grants and scholarships that can help to offset the cost of tuition and fees. Another way to reduce the cost of community college is to take advantage of tuition-free programs. A number of states offer tuition-free community college programs for students who meet certain eligibility requirements. Finally, students can also save money by taking advantage of online courses, which are often less expensive than traditional on-campus courses. This can make it easier to afford higher education without taking on mountains of student loan debt.
At community college, you can get your general education credits done first so that when it comes time for transfer or graduation from whatever school you eventually attend next (whether it's another community college or another type), all those requirements are out of the way already!
Going straight into the workforce
But what if you don’t want to go to college yet? If earning an undergraduate degree isn't right for you or your family situation requires an immediate income source after high school completion (such as helping with household expenses), consider vocational training instead of heading back into academia right away. Vocational programs are designed specifically around career fields such as accounting or nursing; some require formal education like community colleges do while others operate more informally through various organizations across America like churches or unions.
If you are planning to go straight into the workforce, there are some things to consider. First and foremost, you will need a job! While it might seem like it would be easy to find one in today's economy, this is not always true. Finding a job can take time if you're not sure where or how much experience is needed for each position. A good place to start looking for work is on websites like Indeed and LinkdIn; these sites allow potential employees like yourself access into companies around town so that everyone gets exposure before interviews begin taking place later down the line when more applicants have been filtered out through initial screening processes such as phone calls with HR representatives from each company regarding qualifications.
Gap year
A gap year is a period of time between high school and college or university. It can be used to travel, work, or volunteer. A gap year can also be used to explore career options as well as develop skills that will help you in your future career. Gap years are becoming more popular among students who want to gain experience before entering college. They may decide to take a gap year after high school graduation so they can:
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Travel around the world and learn about different cultures;
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Work at an internship doing something related to their interests;
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Join an organization like Doctors Without Borders or Teach for America which helps people who need medical care or education;
Trade and certificate programs
Trade and certificate programs are another option for students who want to enter the workforce quickly. These programs are shorter than college degrees, taking anywhere from one year to two years to complete. They are also more focused on a specific area of study and tend to be hands-on, so you may be able to find a job right after graduation. Trade programs often have good job placement rates because they can provide students with skills that employers are looking for in this economy.
Military
If you're looking to get training and experience, military service is a great option. You'll gain valuable skills that you can use in any job or career path. You'll also be able to make connections with people who have similar interests and goals as you do, which may help when it comes time to find work after graduating from high school. In addition, the military offers leadership opportunities that can help teens grow into their own personal strengths as leaders later on in life.
Finally (and perhaps most importantly), joining up gives teens an opportunity not only to earn money while serving their country but to save up enough money so they don't need loans during college! Depending on your specific situation, your education could even be paid for by the military.
Travel abroad
Traveling abroad is a great way to learn about the world, yourself and other cultures. It can also be a good way to learn a language. When you travel abroad, you will be exposed to different cultures and ways of life than what you're used to at home. This can help you become more open-minded and tolerant of others who may be different from yourself (e.g., race/ethnicity). In addition, seeing how people live in other countries will give you insight into what it means when someone says something like "I'm from [country]!" or "My family comes from [country]." There are many ways to fund traveling abroad like working abroad, participating in a volunteer program, crowdfunding, or finding a sponsor. It ultimately depends on your financial situation, preferences, and goals for your trip.
Fellowship
Fellowships are competitive, so you'll need to be well-rounded and have a strong resume. They're also for those who want to work in a specific field, such as the nonprofit sector or government sector. A fellowship can be a great option for a student who has completed high school and is looking to further their education or gain valuable experience in a particular field. A fellowship typically involves a period of intensive training or research, often in a specialized area of study, and is usually funded by an organization or institution. Some fellowships are designed for recent high school graduates, while others are open to college students or recent graduates. Depending on the fellowship, students may receive a stipend or other benefits in addition to the opportunity to learn and develop new skills. Fellowships can be a great way for students to gain hands-on experience, build their resumes, and make important connections in their field of interest.
Entrepreneurship
You can start any type of business you want, so find one that fits your skills and interests. For example, if you love fashion and have a talent for sewing clothes, consider opening up an online store selling handmade clothes or accessories. If computers are more up your alley and you have some programming experience under your belt, maybe try making an app that helps people track their fitness goals or manage their money better. Maybe entrepreneurship is more than just an idea: It's something that has been brewing in the back of your mind for years now--and now is finally the time for action!
Find an idea for a new product or service (or improve upon existing ones). There are so many possibilities here! Think about what problems people face everyday--and then determine how your idea could help solve those problems better than other solutions currently available on the market today. Create a business plan outlining how exactly this would work logistically and work on getting funding from investors, if necessary. There is so much information out there to help with this!
Internship
An internship is a great way for you to get your foot in the door and gain experience in your field. The benefits of an internship include:
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learning about what it's like working in that field
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making connections with people who can help you later on in your career
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being able to try out new skills or tasks without having too much at stake if they don't work out, since you're still at school
Each post-high school path has it’s pros and cons, but they are all important to consider. Now that you have an idea of what your options are, it's time to get started on your plan.
First, do some research. Find out more about each career path and the requirements for entry into the field you're interested in. Talk to people who are working in the industry and find out what they like about their jobs and how they got there. You can also talk with someone from your school counselor's office or local college or university if you need help finding resources related to careers and education planning.
Second, plan ahead. Think about how long it will take for each path before deciding which one(s) might be best suited for you based on factors such as cost/time commitment required versus reward potential after graduation (the payoff). Remember: You don't have just one chance at success; there may be multiple ways into any given career track!
Last...be flexible! Life happens--you might change majors midway through college; maybe an opportunity comes up unexpectedly while working toward another goal altogether; perhaps even something unexpected happens within your personal life. Whatever happens along life's journey, keep moving forward; don’t be discouraged just because things aren't going exactly according to plans made 6 months ago when starting out this journey towards adulthood.
Before you head off into adulthood, be sure to celebrate your last year of high school with a senior portrait session in the Chesterfield, VA and RVA areas! I love providing high school seniors and their families with fun senior sessions and beautiful portraits and products to remember their significant high school achievements! Let’s chat soon!!
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