Though the idea of not going to college right after high school is sometimes met with stigma, not every student needs to attend college to find a job they love and excel in! More and more teens are entering straight into the workforce after graduating high school and building successful lives and careers. 

This is a great option for a multitude of students: teens who prefer to be active and hands-on with their work may find that trade and service jobs are the perfect fit. Entrepreneurial spirits who are interested in building or starting their own businesses may be interested in this path. And teens who have special needs or learning disabilities can end up thriving in service or trade jobs after high school.  

For teens who want to start their careers right after graduation, the possibilities are endless, and you are already helping them build the essential skills they’ll need to thrive in the workplace. Following a few steps will help them match those skills to a job opportunity. 

Sectors of the workforce 

The first step is for your teen to decide what kind of work they’d like to do. The hands-on workforce is divided into sectors and occupations:  

Trades

For teens who enjoy working with their hands, there are trade jobs such as welding, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, auto mechanics, and manufacturing. Additional training or certification, either at a technical school or with an employer, may be necessary for these fields. 

Services 

For the student interested in the people-oriented services sector, there are jobs in retail, food service, customer service, transport (delivery/trucking), beauty and personal care, first response (police, fire, EMT), and allied health roles such as nurse aids and patient transport and care. Some service jobs require additional training or certification, but many require no prior experience and provide on-the-job training. 

Technology

There are entry-level jobs in the technology sector, such as web development, IT support, technical writers, and help desk technicians. Prior at-home experience and a portfolio of work samples are beneficial in applying to entry-level tech jobs. 

Entrepreneurship

Some teens are interested in the entrepreneurial track of starting their own business: anything from lawn care to photography to nannying to woodworking. Depending on the size or scale that your young adult wants to reach with their company, they may want to consider getting a degree in business management or consulting with a local small business attorney. 

Find the right fit for your teen

The flexibility of the homeschool environment can naturally cultivate career exploration throughout high school as your teen engages in activities such as working alongside the family business, helping at church and summer camps, or volunteering with recreational organizations. This early exposure helps teens discover what they enjoy and what job characteristics are important to them.  

Having your teen answer a few key questions can help give them clues about which jobs they may be geared for. Having them consider questions such as: 

  • What am I good at?  
  • Which subjects and activities have brought me the most joy? 
  • What skills would I like to develop? 
  • What problems am I passionate to solve? 

These questions can go a long way to help them narrow down their choices.  

Just as there are resources that help you with academics, there are career exploration and occupational outlook websites, as well as aptitude/preference tests that can aid your efforts. One resource is ZipRecruiter, which is an online, AI-powered search tool that helps match jobseekers to employers based on the companies and jobs available in a specific location.  

While exploring options, you and your teen can determine which jobs require additional training such as certificates or specialized course work. You can check your state’s vocational office to find out what your teen will need to fill certain roles.  

How to prepare during high school  

There are a few things you can do throughout high school to prepare your teen to enter the workforce after graduation. 

1. Choose the right high school plan

High school plans vary based on how many credits a high schooler completes. If your teen is certain they aren’t interested in attending college at any point, you can follow a general high school plan.

However, if there’s any chance that your teen may want to enroll in college at some point, an average college prep plan is a good idea, because it gives them the option to have enough credits to get into college down the road. (It’s always better to over prepare!). 

2. Consider preparatory training

If your teen needs additional training or certifications to enter the field they are interested in, high school can be the perfect time to start working towards that! Community colleges and technical schools offer a wealth of resources and classes geared toward students who are looking to become job ready. High school students can enroll in either of these institutions (often at a discount) through dual enrollment. 

Also consider apprenticeships, internships, or job shadowing in high school. Any of these can be beneficial for gaining experience as well as possible job opportunities. HSLDA members can download a job shadowing proposal form at the bottom of this article. 

Plan your teen’s homeschool activities with a view toward helping them build the “soft skills” needed for success on the job. Giving your teen more independence in learning and providing feedback about their efforts helps them hone skills such as time management and problem-solving. Enrolling your teen in extracurricular activities promotes teamwork and potential leadership skills which are highly valued by employers. 

3. Prepare them for the hiring process

Help your teen with the process of getting a job. Walk alongside them as they write up their resume and cover letter and apply to jobs. These can even be assigned as part of their English curriculum.  

Check out the resources at the bottom of this article that can help in the application and hiring process.

You might even want to do mock interviews with your teen to help them hone their skills and prepare them to respond thoughtfully and confidently to interview questions. If you have family, friends, or members of your faith community who are willing to invest a bit of their time, you could enlist them to practice interviewing with your teen. Have them provide feedback so your teen can adjust their approach, if needed. 

It’s a great idea for your student to start applying for jobs during their senior year.

4. Be patient in the process!

The last step is to develop a long view. 

No matter what age or qualifications you have, finding a job can come with difficulties. It might take your teen a while to find a job, and once they have a job, they could deal with challenges at work or even face losing a job.  

But with your support, your young adult can gain the insight necessary to adapt to challenges, while learning valuable problem-solving skills which will be of use to them throughout their working life.  

Use time to your teen's advantage. Encourage them to continue learning, continue maturing, honing skills, researching opportunities, and thinking outside of the box. With patience and perseverance, your teen can find their way to meaningful work after high school, and thinking outside of the box. With patience and perseverance, your teen can find their way to meaningful work after high school. 

The final thing to remember is that first jobs aren’t permanent decisions. For example, if your teen tries a trade for a while and then realizes they want to go to college to pursue a job that needs a degree, they can pivot and enroll at a college. You’re never too old to start something new! 

Summing it up

Work does more than just provide a paycheck. By starting their careers early, your student will gain valuable experience that can help them discover their interests, develop a strong work ethic, build a network of employers who can vouch for their abilities, and ultimately, create a strong foundation for future employment.  

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