After High School- English

What can you do after you graduate?

Open Ended

What options do you have after high school?

What options do you have after high school?

• 4- year college or university

• 2- year community college or certificate program

• Apprenticeship

• Military

• Join the workforce

• Take a gap year

4 Year College or University

• Bachelor's Degree

• Education and training for a specific career

• Option for further education

4 Year College or University

Pros

• More diverse job opportunities

• Career exploration

• Low unemployment rate

• Networking value

4 Year College or University

Cons

• Expensive (Student loans)

• Stressful

2 Year Community College

• Associate Degree

• Education and training for a career path

• Option for further education

2 Year Community College

Pros

• Cheaper than University

• Local

• Higher flexibility

• Smaller classes

2 Year Community College

Cons

• Less options

• No "Campus Life"

• Difficulty transferring credits

• Less scholarship opportunities

Apprenticeship

• On-the-job training

• Work while taking classes

• Only for a specific career

Apprenticeship

Pros

• Earn a salary

• Avoid student debt

• On-the-job training

• Sometimes leads to full time employment

Apprenticeship

Cons

• Limited Options

• Low starting salary

• Tough competition

Military

• Air Force

• Army

• Coast Guard

• Marine Corps

• Navy

• Space Force

Military

Pros

• Variety of jobs available

• Networking

• Veteran benefits

• Help paying for college

Military

Cons

• Physically demanding

• Difficult on families

• Little control

• Possibility of combat

• Contracted for a number of years or months

Join the Workforce

• Immediate start a career or continue job worked in high school

• Many jobs only require a high school diploma

Join the Workforce

Pros

• Develop work ethic

• Build a network

• Hold yourself to a higher standard

Join the Workforce

Cons

• Work harder to prove yourself

• Less education (pro?)

Take a Gap Year

• Year taken off from school between high school and college

• Many people travel during their gap year

Take a Gap Year

Pros

• Travel

• Year to relax

• Gain work experience

• Opportunity to save for college

Take a Gap Year

Cons

• Spend a lot more money that you make

• Difficult transition back to school

• Lots of planning

• May feel "behind" your peers

How do I know which option is right?

• Everyone is different and has different goals

• Your career and life goals can help you determine what path to take

• Only you can decide what you want to do

  • Don't do something just because it is what your friends are doing.

  • Don't do something because it is what your parents want you to do