{"id":16028,"date":"2024-10-07T11:35:20","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T17:35:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/?p=16028"},"modified":"2024-10-07T15:30:58","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T21:30:58","slug":"options-after-high-school-lets-explore","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/options-after-high-school-lets-explore\/","title":{"rendered":"Options After High School\u2014Let\u2019s Explore!"},"content":{"rendered":"

There are so many options after high school and <\/span>Oh, the Places You’ll Go!<\/span><\/i> by Dr. Suess is a classic high school graduation gift to demonstrate the grand adventure that awaits upon tossing your graduation cap. You may feel excited, nervous, uncertain, and sad that this chapter of your life is closing. You may or may not know where you <\/span>want<\/b> to go after graduation. Rest assured, there are options for you and we\u2019re confident you will find one that works for you. Various paths you hear about in this article or elsewhere may speak to you! Keep your eyes and ears open, listen to the wisdom of those who have gone before you, and stay attuned to your desires as well as passions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

College\/University<\/b><\/h5>\n

There are benefits to going to college and university after high school. Some of these include higher education, specialized degrees, and networking opportunities. There are financial considerations to take into account like <\/span>scholarships<\/span><\/a>, loans, and <\/span>grants<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Be diligent in your search and choose the<\/span> right school and program<\/span><\/a> for your aspirations. Remember, most students change their major at least once. There\u2019s no shame in chasing what feels best for you while you get an education.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

With university, you\u2019ll want to position yourself for the greatest chance to get into your chosen school and qualify for scholarships by bumping your standardized test scores with a<\/span>\u00a0prep course<\/span><\/a>. You can save even more money in your college education by taking<\/span> CLEP<\/span><\/a>\/<\/span>DSST<\/span><\/a> exams.<\/span><\/p>\n

Community College<\/b><\/h5>\n

Community college is often a more affordable option after high school than large or private universities. You can even start your degree at a community college and then transfer your credits to universities. Pay close attention to what universities will accept your credits by talking with admissions counselors so that credits don\u2019t go to waste. Community college pathways can include associate degrees, bachelor’s degrees, certifications, and skill-building. Once again, you can save even more money in your college education by taking<\/span> CLEP<\/span><\/a>\/<\/span>DSST<\/span><\/a> exams.<\/span><\/p>\n

Trade\/Technical School\/Certification Programs<\/b><\/h5>\n

Trade, technical, or certification programs may be a great option if you are a kinesthetic learner eager to master a specific skill. In these programs, you can focus on hands-on skills like plumbing, electrical, healthcare, etc. Usually, trade schools have a shorter duration, offer job readiness, and emphasize demand-specific fields. For many of these trades, there may be tests that you need to pass to get certified and Peterson\u2019s<\/span> Careers<\/span><\/a> can support you in your efforts to score highly.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Entering the Workforce<\/b><\/h5>\n

A full-time job can help you build on experience and skills directly in a job setting. There are a plethora of fields that hire high school graduates. Consider going into serving, data entry, or other roles.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Apprenticeships\/Internships<\/b><\/h5>\n

Apprenticeships and internships offer the ability to learn on the job and may lead to a full-time job in the future. To get an internship, capitalize on your enthusiasm for the opportunity to learn, curiosity, and ability to pick up new skills on the fly. With a<\/span>\u00a0Peterson\u2019s 3 or 6-month subscription<\/span><\/a>, you can build a resume with our partner service,<\/span> Visual CV<\/span><\/a>, while customizing templates for resumes and cover letters that will capitalize on your relevant experience.<\/span><\/p>\n

Gap Year<\/b><\/h5>\n

Taking time off of education to explore, travel, or work before making major decisions may be a good way to discover your interests and where you\u2019d like to begin your career. In the gap year, you can accelerate your career through volunteering, internships, and skill development\u2014colleges and employers may look fondly on these sorts of experiences. Gap years can be especially beneficial if you want to avoid academic burnout. Like anything, there are pros and cons to taking a gap year. Here are some to consider:<\/span><\/p>\n

Pros<\/span><\/h6>\n