Dare to dream about your future. What will you do after you graduate from high school? Will you go to college? Will you have a good-paying career in a field that you are passionate about?
There are lots of jobs that don’t require a college education, but an education beyond high school can make the difference between living the life you want and just getting by. The things you like to do now may be a good indicator of the career you’d like to have as an adult.
Using your list of interests and skills, you can begin to explore jobs that might make a good fit. Look at the list below and show the jobs that are related to your interest areas. Click on a job to learn about it. The jobs shown are just a few of the paths you can follow; you can find similar occupations in each job you select.
What are you interested in?
Building and fixing things
Computers
- Database Administrator
- Computer Support Specialist
- Computer Hardware Engineer
- Software Developer
- Web Developer
- Systems Analyst
Food
- Cooks
- Waiters and Waitresses
- Food Preparation Workers
- Chefs and Head Cooks
- Food Service Managers
- Bakers
Healthcare
Helping your community
Law
Managing money
Math
Media
- Editors
- Technical Writers
- Reporters, Correspondents, and Broadcast News Analysts
- Film and Video Editors and Camera Operators
- Broadcast and Sound Engineering Technicians
- Public Relations Specialists
Music and art
Nature
Reading
Science
Social studies
Sports
Teaching
- Kindergarten and Elementary School Teachers
- Elementary, Middle, and High School Principals
- High School Teacher
- Postsecondary Teachers
- Special Education Teachers
- Teacher Assistants
- School and Career Counselors
Transportation
- Heavy and Tractor-trailer Truck Drivers
- Railroad Occupations
- Airline and Commercial Pilots
- Delivery Truck Drivers
- Taxi Drivers and Chauffeurs
Don't see what you're interested in? See information on hundreds of jobs at our full Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Make a list of the careers that interest you; include the minimum education level required for an entry level position and the average pay for each job.
You can achieve your dreams for the future with a plan. Your plan beyond high school will likely include higher education, whether at a four-year college, a two-year college, or a trade school.