Can You Change Your Career Path in High School?
byPhoebe Brown
5 min to read
While most high school students probably won’t know what they want to do as a career before they graduate, having an idea of what they would like to do when they join the workforce early can help them get a head start on learning the basic skills required for the job. Career exploration for high school students often begins with discovering what fields of study interest them most and learning more about these fields. From this career exploration, some students may think they know what they want to do, and others may jump from one career path to the next, leaving them wondering if it is possible to change their career path in high school.
Why Students Change Their Career Paths
According to the ACT®, 94% of high school students report that career planning is important to them while they’re still in high school. Whether students maintain their original career track or change their career path, they’re planning for their future.
Students may change their career interests because they:
found a different subject that interests them more
may be unsure about enrolling in higher education after high school
feel anxious about their future
It’s normal for students to change their minds while exploring careers. If they find career planning stressful, or they are not sure where to begin, students can always reach out to their school counselors to learn more about the opportunities open to them.
How to Explore New Career Interests in High School
High school career exploration is an important part of a high schooler’s time, and students can explore new career interests in a variety of ways.
Try an Internship or Part-Time Job
An internship or part-time job is a great way to get hands-on experience in choosing a career path for high school students that interests them. While most internships are unpaid, students can still gain valuable insight into the day-to-day work in a possible career field. Part-time or summer jobs can help students build transferable job skills like time management, interpersonal problem-solving, and responsibility while earning a little money. Working before graduating high school can help students learn more about their working styles and job preferences and give them practical experience that can build a resume.
Attend Career Fairs
Career fairs are another excellent way for students to find out more about different careers opportunities. Some high schools offer career fairs at school or bring in local businesspeople to talk to the students about their industries. Attending career fairs also gives students an opportunity to ask questions about the industries thriving in their area and be exposed to job roles they may have never considered before.
Volunteer in the Field of Interest
If students do not have the time or opportunity to commit to working, career exploration for high school students can also begin on a shorter-term scale by volunteering in their field of interest. Similarly to working part-time, volunteering gives students time to explore a career field, helps them make connections with people in the field, and gives them hands-on work experience in short bursts. The work they do may not be as involved, but volunteering allows them to explore the work environment to see if it is something they would like to do.
For example, students interested in becoming a veterinarian can volunteer to walk dogs at an animal shelter, or students wanting to work in education could volunteer at a library or as a tutor to work with younger kids.
Sign Up for Extracurricular Activities and Electives
High schools often include many courses and clubs that give students the chance to explore different career paths. There are Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses that directly help students learn more about broader career paths, but even Robotics Club or the school newspaper could get teens on the path to thinking about different career options.
Outside of school, as an added benefit, many students can take advantage of earning digital certificates through programs such as Coursera to try their hand at something like computer coding. Even if a class or club is just for fun, students can still use their time there to explore what they like about it and build their soft skills.
Talk to People Working in That Career
If a student’s high school offers business or career days, students may have the opportunity to talk with people working in the career they’re interested in. Students might also reach out to people in industries they might want to work for by sending an email with their questions or by asking for a brief meeting or to job shadow for a short time. Some questions students may want to ask include:
How did you get started in this career?
What’s your day-to-day work like?
What’s your favorite part of your job?
What kind of education does a person need to work in this career?
Did you always want to do this, or did you change your path?
Talk to the Right People About Career Plans
Talking to the right people can help students feel more confident and prepared when choosing a new career path.
Reach Out to School Counselors
School counselors are one of the best resources available to students when it comes to college and career planning. School counselors can help:
create an individualized graduation plan
assist students with college and career readiness
provide resources to address anxiety about the future
offer practical advice and guidance to help students struggling academically
Seek Advice from Family Members or Trusted Adults
In addition to school counselors, high schoolers may want to discuss their career interests with family members and other trusted adults such as their teachers, coaches, tutors, mentors, or family friends. These people can help support their student by:
listening to their interests without judgement
answering questions about the realities of finding a fulfilling career
helping students attend career fairs or job shadowing opportunities
assisting students in finding internships or volunteer opportunities
What Is Career Exploration in High School?
Career exploration in high school is the opportunity for high school students to learn more about various career paths and fields that may interest them. With so many careers available to online high school graduates, learn how students are taking advantage of the flexibility and personalization of remote learning to get a head start on career exploration. Discover more information about Connections Academy® and see if online school is the right fit for your student by downloading our free eGuide.
Ready to Learn More
About Connections Academy?
Explore the benefits of attending Connections Academy, a tuition-free, accredited online public school that’s passionate about helping your child thrive.
