So you are trying to figure out what to do with the rest of your life….welcome to the club and don’t freak out. It seems that once you get to be a teenager, the first question that every adult asks you is about what type of career you want. You can feel pressured to know exactly what you want to do for the rest of your life. The truth of the matter is that whatever you think you may want to do as a career will probably change. Most people change careers on average five times during their lives. So don’t feel like expressing interest in or pursuing a career is a permanent choice.

That being said, high school is a good time to think about what careers interest you. There are things you can do now to land a great career in the future. Here are five steps you can do now to have a great job in the next years to come:

• Educate Yourself Beyond High School. Recognize that most high paying jobs that offer career advancement require education beyond high school and that your high school diploma is just the beginning of your education, not the end. You will succeed in any career you choose if you see yourself as a life-long-learner. Most good careers require you to have the most up to date skills and knowledge and employers may require you to go back to school or to training classes often in your career. View education as an opportunity, not as a burden, and you will go far.
• Take all the technology classes you can. Every career today requires an understanding of technology. Many colleges now require freshmen to own a computer. Prepare yourself for any career by understanding all you can about computers, both hard ware and soft ware. You will be competing for a career with others who have these skills. Don’t get left behind.
• Take Spanish. According to the U.S. Census by 2010, there will be more Spanish-speaking residents in Texas, Florida, and California than English-speaking residents. This growth trend in Spanish-speaking residents extends to all other states as well. Employers will need to hire employees with Spanish-language skills. You will be in demand if you speak Spanish.
• Know which are the “hot” careers. Being the ice cream taster at Ben and Jerry’s is a great job, but unfortunately there aren’t many opportunities to get that job. Think smart about your career and choose a profession that will hire a lot of people so that your chances of actually getting a job in that career area is good. Know what the average entry-level salary is so that you know if that career can support the lifestyle you want. A great resource is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics which produces a report every year predicting the fastest growing careers, the average salary, and educational requirements.
• Follow Your Dreams. Last but not least, this piece of advice may be the most valuable. Whatever you decide about your career, remember, it is ultimately something you have to decide. Lots of people will give you advice and have expectations about your career: your parents, your teachers, your friends, your coach, or your pastor. You can choose a career that makes them happy, and that is okay because they usually have your best interest at heart. But if their choice is not your choice, you may not have the “passion” it takes to be successful and happy in a career. Just remember this: You will work more than you do anything else in life, other than sleep. Choose a career that gives you the opportunity to do things you love and is worthy of your time and talents. Don’t allow money or other’s expectations to be the primary motivation for your career decision. Follow Your Heart!

1. Accounting
2. Health Care, especially geriatric care
3. Criminal Justice
4. Military
5. Education - Teachers
6. Information Specialists / Librarians
7. Graphic Designer
8. Paralegal
9. Social Workers
10. Biological or Environmental Engineering