12 Steps To Jumpstart Your Career After High School
Starting a career and making money right after graduation can be stressful. Your friends may have plans of going on a trip abroad before going to college. You don't need to have everything figured out to start making progress and make money. Here are twelve steps to jumpstart your career after high school.
Discover Your Obsession And Skills
Discover what you obsess over to determine what you want to do for work. An obsession is more potent than an interest or a passion. Your obsession will help you continue working on what you love, even when it becomes challenging.
Find the skills that you're good at. You can then master the primary skill. Once you know the main skill, you can focus on learning complementary skills.
It takes time to learn about yourself. You will naturally discover your strengths, weaknesses, likes, dislikes, and skills through trial and error. You will learn them by trying new things.
Take some time to consider your hobbies, subjects you excel in, practical and sellable skills, and any part-time or full-time jobs you've done. These can give you clues about what kind of work you enjoy.
It took me too long to acknowledge that I was a writer, first and foremost. I thought I could not make any money by being a writer. After all, it's not a career option you can learn in school or from college. There are many ways to make money as a writer, from self-publishing books to copywriting to creating and selling content for a business.
Explore Entry-Level Jobs
Everyone starts somewhere. That means most people begin working entry-level jobs. After all, you can only work in a field when you understand the essentials and have the critical skills needed for a particular career.
You can look at entry-level jobs that don't require a degree. Some larger companies in retail, hospitality, and administration roles can provide growth opportunities while giving you work experience and on-the-job training.
A great benefit of entry-level jobs is developing soft skills such as communication and teamwork. If you work a more sales-focused job, you learn about the sales funnel to help you increase a business's sales.
Sales and marketing are two of the most valuable skills anyone can learn. Why? Every business needs sales and marketing. They are the lifeblood of any business. You can then choose a specific area within sales or marketing you are skilled at.
Consider Further Education Or Training
While college has traditionally been the path to success, that is no longer true because of degree inflation. You could attend trade school, community college, technical college, or take free and paid certification programs. You can take free and paid online and digital courses.
For example, if you're interested in IT, you can take online courses and earn cybersecurity or network management certifications. Many courses and certifications cost a fraction of the cost of a traditional degree.
Digital courses can also help you to master a particular skill. You can take digital courses on various topics on digital course sites such as Coursera and Udemy.
Start Networking
Networking is a critical life skill that can help you advance in any career. Who you know is more important than if you have the right degree or background. Networking is vital for building relationships that can
Start by asking your friends, family, and even teachers or mentors if they know about any job openings where you live. They might know someone looking to hire or train someone for a position.
You can join virtual communities related to your field of interest. You can join Facebook or LinkedIn groups to learn more while helping out in the community. Leaving helpful comments can make you stand out. You can then message active group members or apply for positions that administrators may post in the groups.
Entrepreneurship
If you have an obsession and understand a skill, you can turn it into a business. You can start small by freelancing. Freelancing platforms like Fiverr or Upwork can help you find clients and build a portfolio.
You will be self-employed. You can then work to move from self-employment to creating a successful business that brings in multiple income streams.
How can you do this?
As you learn more about the needs of customers in the marketplace, you can create a product or service. If you read the needs of people in the market correctly, the free market will reward your business for taking the risk and creating a product that customers want.
Use Online Resources
There are many online resources to help you get started in your career. You can view job openings and salary listings on job sites such as Indeed and Glassdoor. You can view freelance jobs on sites such as Upwork.
You can use LinkedIn Learning to learn about professional skills that can boost your resume. You can learn from reading blogs and watching videos online to learn more about a particular job and if it interests you.
Plan For The Long Term
While it's essential to start making money as soon as possible so you can begin to pay rent and save and invest money, keep sight of your long-term goals. Think about where you want to be in five or ten years, or even twenty years. That long-term vision can help guide your career choices.
It's okay if your path changes along the way. That will likely happen. You will likely have to reinvent yourself until you figure out the right field. What's important is that you continue moving forward!
You are getting started in your career after high school. It is all about taking that first step, even if you're uncertain where it will lead. With some exploration, education, and networking, you'll be on your way to building a fulfilling and financially rewarding career.
Stay Adaptable
The job market is constantly changing. The market goes into periods of recession and depression, where people lose jobs. Some jobs may have been in demand a decade or two ago may no longer be in demand or exist.
Technology evolves rapidly. Jobs that didn't exist before are now in high demand. The market continues to change. Keeping an open mind about learning new skills, lifelong learning, and even switching careers later in life is vital.
Lifelong Learning
The dirty little secret about the education system is that it teaches you to be an obedient employee. They do not teach you the proper skills to succeed in life. The education system only teaches you the bare minimum, which is why lifelong learning through self-education is critical.
You are responsible for your success. That means you must take the initiative to continue to learn. Self-learning can help you be competitive because you stay on top of new market trends and in-demand skills and continually hone your skill set to help you make more money.
Self-education is one of the most valuable life skills anyone can learn. It will help you throughout your lifetime. Lifelong learning can help you build wealth.
Manage Your Finances Wisely
As you start earning money, it's essential to manage it wisely. Educate yourself about financial education.
You can start budgeting your income, saving for emergencies, and understanding basic financial principles to help you build a stable financial foundation for your future.
Set up a savings account when you open a checking account with a bank. Build an emergency fund using a high-yield savings or money market account that earns more interest. You can even start investing right out of high school!
An employer may offer you a matching 401(k). You can invest money into that to start to prepare for retirement. You can learn about how the stock market works and invest some money in it.
Seek Mentorship
Finding a mentor can make a critical difference in your career journey. A mentor can give you invaluable advice, share experiences where they made mistakes, and help you navigate challenges as you enter the workforce.
Look for someone in your chosen field who is willing to offer guidance. The person may be a connection you made through networking. It could be someone you follow online who provides advice and tips in your field.
People value their time. So don't be surprised if, to find a mentor, you need to join a premium community or pay for a higher-end digital course to access mentorship. You can then get a one-on-one session with someone you want to learn from more consistently.
Develop A Positive Mindset
Your mindset plays a vital role in your career success. Develop a positive mindset. Your career will have ups and downs. It is normal to feel uncertain, even depressed, at times.
What's important is maintaining a positive mindset and being persistent. Every experience, even the ones that you don't enjoy or you do not think are valuable, could help you later on.
Stay focused on your goals. Learn from your mistakes. Get back up when you fail. Don't be afraid to take risks. Be willing to take the more difficult path. Embrace going your own way and leaving the crowd behind.
Summary
Starting your career after high school is an exciting time full of possibilities. Whether you're jumping into the workforce, pursuing further education, or even considering starting your own business, the key is to take actionable steps toward your goals. It's okay if your career isn't perfectly linear. You can have a successful career with determination, networking, and lifelong learning.
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The views expressed in this article are the author's opinions and views and do not reflect the views of Secure Single. It is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Secure Single does not give health, medical, relationship, travel, or financial advice. Secure Single does not provide advice of any kind. Always consult and speak with a professional.