You've made it! You've conquered the gruelling2 years of high school and senior secondary now you're staring down an even bigger challenge: what comes next? It's a question many 12th graders are asking themselves as they contemplate their future after high school.
It's an important question to ask, but unfortunately, one that often comes with little guidance. Thankfully, you don't have to go it alone. With the right career guidance and some expert resources, you can make informed decisions about your future (and your career) and be well on your way to success.
We know that figuring out where to start can be overwhelming—trust us, we've been there—so in this article, we'll provide you with some key tips and resources for navigating your next steps in life.
Why You Need Career Guidance After 12th Grade
It's no secret that transitioning from high school to college or the workforce can be a daunting and overwhelming experience. With so many choices, it’s hard to know where to start. And that’s why career guidance is so important.
Career guidance after 12th grade can help you make well-informed decisions about your future and help ensure that any educational path or job you choose is in line with your interests, skills and goals. It can also provide you with valuable information about potential career opportunities, the job market, educational requirements and more.
With the right guidance, you can easily identify the best career paths for you and start taking steps to achieve long-term success. By working with someone who knows the ins and outs of various careers and industries, you can explore all available options, create a personalized plan of action, bridge any gaps in your skill set and develop a strong foundation for your future professional endeavors.
What Are the Different Types of Career Guidance?
If you're a 12th grader, you know that you have an important decision to make- what career should you pursue? It can be hard to make this important choice, so one of the best ways to start is by accessing career guidance.
But what exactly is career guidance? Career guidance encompasses different activities and services that can provide insight into your skills and interests, help you to identify potential job opportunities, and give you insights into the various industries and roles available. There are several different types of career guidance available:
Having access to career guidance can give 12th graders the confidence they need to make informed decisions about their future careers.
Finding Your Passion & Interests With a Mentor or Coach
Having an experienced mentor or coach to guide you in the right direction can make all the difference when it comes to figuring out what your passions and interests are. Working with a mentor or coach can help you to break down complex ideas, ideas and processes into manageable chunks, allowing you to see the bigger picture and understand what direction you should take next.
A great way to find mentors is by searching for industry professionals who specialize in the field of your interest. There are plenty of websites devoted solely to connecting students with mentors, such as MentorMe. You may also reach out to people in your network—the parents of friends or colleagues—to ask for advice on how they found their passions and which career paths they chose.
Mentors are great for brainstorming ideas and talking through potential opportunities. Not only can they provide important advice on which career path is best for you, but more importantly, they will be able to introduce you to people and organizations that may be looking for candidates such as yourself. They may also be able to give you invaluable career guidance on everything from resumes and cover letters, preparing for interviews, salary negotiation, job search techniques, gaining experience in related industry events etc. As such, it pays off tremendously in the long term if you take time out to research potential mentors who can help set you up on the right path!
Making the Right Choice: Research & Insights Into Different Careers
It’s important to keep in mind that when making a career decision, there are a lot of factors to consider. Any choice you make should involve researching and gathering insights into different career paths so that you can make an informed decision.
Career Exploration
The first step is to explore all the options and get an understanding of the various possibilities. This will help you narrow down your choices and make it easier for you to find the right path for you. There are plenty of resources available online, such as websites, forums, and articles that can guide you through the process of exploring different career paths.
Ask Questions
Once you have identified some potential careers, reach out to mentors or industry professionals in those fields on social media. Ask questions about their experience with the field and any advice they may have for someone just starting out. These conversations can offer much-needed clarity on whether or not a particular career is right for you.
Internships & Apprenticeships
Another great way to learn more about a potential career is by doing an internship or an apprenticeship in that field. Getting hands-on experience in a field can provide invaluable insight into what it's like to actually work in that profession, giving you the opportunity to see if it matches up with what you imagined it would be like before heading into it full force.
Preparing Your Application Process With Professional Feedback
Are you feeling overwhelmed with the thought of preparing for college applications? It's a big deal, and you don't have to do it alone. A great place to start is to seek out feedback from professionals in the field you're considering.
This way, you'll know what really matters when it comes to making an attractive application package. Professionals can help you figure out what qualifications and skills are needed, what extra activities (internships, extracurriculars) will make your application stronger, or even how to best highlight something specific in your resume.
Plus, getting professional feedback on your portfolio - whether it's for a design portfolio or essays for writing-heavy fields - is a great idea too. They can give insight into how employers view the pieces and provide tailored advice that’s invaluable in perfecting your pieces before submission.
You want to make sure that you're presenting yourself in the best way possible, so don't be afraid to reach out to people who have been there before. It may even lead to helpful connections as well!
Creating Your Ideal Career Path With Mentorship & Support
It's exciting to consider your options after the 12th, and you may feel overwhelmed with the possibilities! But don't worry—reaching your goals is easier when you have mentors and supportive networks in place.
So why is having mentors and supportive networks so important?
Developing Skills
A mentor can help you identify skills that are lacking and suggest areas of improvement. This feedback can also help you develop a strong skill set, which is essential for reaching career goals. Some of the skills mentors might suggest developing include communication skills, problem-solving skills and organizational skills.
Networking Opportunities
Having a mentor can also give you access to their network, which could open up more opportunities than what's currently available. That could include internships, scholarships or even job opportunities. Your mentor can also help you form relationships with employers or people in the industry, allowing for valuable networking experiences.
Ultimately, mentorship gives you access to resources that may not have been available before. Here are some ways in which mentors can help guide your career decisions:
Having a knowledgeable mentor by your side will allow you to make informed decisions about your future while ensuring that nothing gets overlooked — increasing your chances of success!
Conclusion
All in all, graduating from 12th grade and choosing what to do after is difficult—but it can be made easier with the right guidance. Working with a career mentor or coach can be a great resource to help you clarify what options are out there and could potentially be your best fit. They’ll be able to help you further refine your options and identify the right career path for you.
Whatever you decide to do, stay flexible, stay open-minded, and stay driven. You’re at the start of something great, and if you take the right steps early on, you’ll be that much closer to a fulfilling career choice. So if you’re looking for the best advice on where to start in your professional journey, reach out to a specialized career coach for more tailored guidance and support.
