WHAT'S nEXT AFTER HIGH SCHOOl?
After several discussions with high school teens in my 2022-2023 Classes for Teens, I would like to consolidate my thoughts thus far. These mid- and late-teen years can be a very tricky time as you try to discover who you are and what you plan to do with your life after high school graduation. I remember that period of my life very vividly and the struggles to sort things out were real and confusing. The information in the letter below may help you to examine your own personality, aptitudes and interests and to match them with a possible career/job.
The first resource, and probably the most helpful IMO, is a $25 course through the University of Arizona with the option to pay more to put it onto a transcript. The course is UNI 194: Explore by Design: Self-Discovery, Majors, and Careers. I would definitely have my own kids take this course (pay $25) and not plan pay the extra “to transcript It” since it’s not really an undergrad gen-ed type course. This course looks great—potentially very helpful! It’s at https://ea.asu.edu/assets/courses/UNI%20194%20-%20Explore%20by%20Design.pdf .
A free 6-week course, that was recommended to me by another secular homeschooler, is The Science of Well-Being for Teens which focuses more on mental health. After the pandemic stress and given current life in the 21st-Century stress, this short course seems definitely worth a try: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens
The premise of this book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink, claims to address “the secret to high performance and satisfaction--at work, school, and at home—is the deep human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.” Although I have not read this, I’ve added it to my TBRs. https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XUDM248E8JTN&keywords=Drive+Daniel+Pink&qid=1680361816&sprefix=drive+daniel+pink%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-1
Two other resources which were recommended to me and relate to this topic. I think they are both free; however, they may have an option to pay to get something extra at the end. I would personally NOT opt to do that.
The “Crash Course” Green brothers have lots of interesting videos about different careers on their YouTube Channel. These are free with an option to give a donation. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q
I’ve always found the US Occupational Outlook to be a helpful way to get an overview of anticipated job demand, median salary, education level needed for an occupation, etc. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
As you know, my retention rate is high, but connecting with other secular homeschoolers is tricky. Please help me advertise my courses with other homeschoolers and homeschool groups. We still have openings in the Classes for Teens 2024-2025 courses. https://classesforteens.weebly.com/
Good Luck!
Marda
The first resource, and probably the most helpful IMO, is a $25 course through the University of Arizona with the option to pay more to put it onto a transcript. The course is UNI 194: Explore by Design: Self-Discovery, Majors, and Careers. I would definitely have my own kids take this course (pay $25) and not plan pay the extra “to transcript It” since it’s not really an undergrad gen-ed type course. This course looks great—potentially very helpful! It’s at https://ea.asu.edu/assets/courses/UNI%20194%20-%20Explore%20by%20Design.pdf .
A free 6-week course, that was recommended to me by another secular homeschooler, is The Science of Well-Being for Teens which focuses more on mental health. After the pandemic stress and given current life in the 21st-Century stress, this short course seems definitely worth a try: https://www.coursera.org/learn/the-science-of-well-being-for-teens
The premise of this book, Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us by Daniel H. Pink, claims to address “the secret to high performance and satisfaction--at work, school, and at home—is the deep human need to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.” Although I have not read this, I’ve added it to my TBRs. https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Surprising-Truth-About-Motivates/dp/1594484805/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2XUDM248E8JTN&keywords=Drive+Daniel+Pink&qid=1680361816&sprefix=drive+daniel+pink%2Caps%2C261&sr=8-1
Two other resources which were recommended to me and relate to this topic. I think they are both free; however, they may have an option to pay to get something extra at the end. I would personally NOT opt to do that.
- https://ohiomeansjobs.ohio.gov/job-seekers/find-a-job/career-profile-quiz
- https://www.mynextmove.org/
The “Crash Course” Green brothers have lots of interesting videos about different careers on their YouTube Channel. These are free with an option to give a donation. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6b17PVsYBQ0ip5gyeme-Q
I’ve always found the US Occupational Outlook to be a helpful way to get an overview of anticipated job demand, median salary, education level needed for an occupation, etc. https://www.bls.gov/ooh/
As you know, my retention rate is high, but connecting with other secular homeschoolers is tricky. Please help me advertise my courses with other homeschoolers and homeschool groups. We still have openings in the Classes for Teens 2024-2025 courses. https://classesforteens.weebly.com/
Good Luck!
Marda