What are my options after High School especially if my grades weren't that good?

Graduating from high school is the end of an era. Gone are the days of carefree learning and socializing with friends. Now you need to decide what you are going to do with the rest of your life and that is no small decision to make. While lots of teens see high school as a chore, something to get through and leave behind, the reality is that high school is the last frontier to cross before the responsibility of adulthood takes center stage.

So let’s take a quick look at your options. What are your choices when high school is done? Where do you go from there? Don't forget Israelite PRIDE is here to assist you.

Post Secondary School - This includes university, college or career training in a non-trades field. Some examples of non-trades training include; Medical Office Assistant, Legal Assistant, Dental Assistant, Corrections Officer, and Office Assistant.

Is it right for you? 
This is for you if you are ready to select a career path, did reasonably well in an academic program at school, and are able and ready to study and learn in a traditional setting. If you are thinking of university or college you will need good grades in high school course work to get accepted to a school, or you must be willing to take extra time to upgrade in a post-secondary college prep program. Just because your grades right out of high school weren’t great does not mean that college or university is not an option for you, it just means you’ll have to take a slightly longer path in getting there. As for career training programs, like the ones noted above, your high school grades may be less important but could come in to play when seeking financial aid for tuition. 

Trade School - Trade school is where you go to learn a trade or craft. In trade school you study to become a ticketed journeyman in a trade such as; electrician, plumber, carpenter, master builder, mechanic, auto body technician, mason, drywaller, heating and refrigeration technician, etc. You enter in to a program where you learn the skills hands on, become an apprentice in a specified trade and eventually take a test - usually both written and practical - to become a full journeyman in that field.

Is it right for you? 
This is for you if you thrive in a hands-on learning environment, if you have an interest in a trade and/or have taken basic courses in a specific area while in high school, and if you enjoy physically demanding work that is also mentally challenging. Many people who do not do well in the academic part of high school choose a trade as a profession giving the incorrect impression that tradesman are not “intellectuals.” This is just not true. Trades work is just as mentally challenging as fields like law, business, journalism, and medicine. Where it differs most from these professions is in how you are trained not in how smart you have to be to do the work.  

Public Service Work - Police officers, ambulance attendants, paramedics, firefighters, social workers, government employees and politicians are some examples of public service workers.

Is it right for you?
 This is for you if you like helping people, work well under very stressful circumstances, are able to cope with the best and the worst that society has to offer, and adhere well to structure and rules. This is not for you if you have problems with authority or if you do not handle stress well. All of these professions are very, very stressful. They are also very, very satisfying and stimulating. Being a public servant will be the most fulfilling and heartbreaking career choice you can make. It takes a certain type of personality to effectively do this type of work, which is why personality profiling and psychological work-ups are often part of the hiring process.

Straight to Work - You get a job right out of high school or you continue doing a job you had while in school, maybe moving to a full time position instead of a part time one.

Is it right for you? 
This is for you if you want to work to save for school, are not sure what you want to do with your life yet and need to keep busy while you sort it out, or if you have already have a job with growth opportunities that could make it a great life-long career. A career has three key components that a job does not; it offers room to grow and advance, it has increasing earning potential as time goes on and you gain experience, and it is something you take personal pride and satisfaction in doing. A job just pays the bills. If you are lucky enough to get on a real career path right out of high school that is great but if you are just a taking a job so that have something to do and as a way to earn some cash you may come to regret it.


Read more
http://teenadvice.about.com/od/teenlifefaqsandqas/a/postgradchoices_2.htm

For assistance with any of these options, Israelite PRIDE is here to assist you. 

Please do not hesitate to send us a message via email at israelitepride@yahoo.com.