Mike Smith:
All of us would like to spend our workdays doing what we enjoy, but only some of us are able to. By guiding your high schooler down a career path that takes into account their gifts and talents, you can help them get the right kind of training and knowledge. Encouragement from parents is invaluable to an aspiring high school grad.

Building on his childhood love of computers, Andrew Fessler—who was homeschooled through all grades—went right from high school to a job in technology. He worked in different positions within the company, gaining a host of skills in hardware, software, and voice and data communications. He also took a few college courses in business and completed three different technology certification programs. Andrew now works for an information security company with the long-term goal of becoming the director or vice president of an Information Technology—or I.T.—group.

“I do plan on finishing my college degree in the future,” says Andrew, “but I have not made it a priority because I have been blessed with great jobs and have not been limited by my lack of a degree.” Andrew, now 30, attributes his success to “how my parents taught me to put all my effort into learning and doing a task well.”

Parents, thanks for joining us this week as we looked at some of the college alternatives open to your high school graduate. As homeschooling parents, you have a unique opportunity to prepare and guide your student to find the career that fits his or her personality, talents, and interests.

Thanks again, and I’m Mike Smith.