![\"things](\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/things-to-do-after-high-school-education-and-learning-.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nContinuing your studies after high school is one of the most common options, but college is just one kind of education you can choose from.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four-Year College Degree<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Four-year college degrees cover just about every field of specialized knowledge you can think of, and there are plenty of career-specific courses too. When considering college, the most important thing to do is research\u2014research the courses, research the schools<\/a>, research options overseas, and research scholarships. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Community colleges fill multiple roles, offering high school grads a cheaper option for their first two years of a full degree and also offering career training programs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They tend to have a more laid-back atmosphere than private colleges and teach students in much smaller groups. This can help some students transition more smoothly into fully independent study and research.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Another traditional college alternative is trade schools\u2014also called career colleges, technical colleges, or vocational schools\u2014where people of all ages can go to gain practical and focused skills that will help them enter a certain trade. These courses tend to be shorter and less expensive than community colleges or four-year colleges, and they don\u2019t turn people away based on their school diplomas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Certificate programs can be offered by colleges, universities, and even companies like Google. They\u2019re designed to train students in a specialized field or skill over a short amount of time and can be delivered in a classroom, during an internship, or online.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to certificates, bootcamps teach trade and career skills to students over a much shorter period than traditional colleges. Bootcamps are provided by private companies and organizations, sometimes in collaboration with colleges.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can enroll in bootcamps both in-person and online, and many focus on technical skills such as software engineering<\/a>, data science<\/a>, UI\/UX design<\/a>, data analysis<\/a>, and tech sales<\/a>. If you\u2019re interested in the fields available, bootcamps can be a practical, affordable, and time-saving college alternative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n There are also many skills you can teach yourself with help from online courses, internet resources, and textbooks. Technical skills, languages, and creative skills are common examples of skills you don’t need to be a school student to learn.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s also possible to enter the workforce straight after high school and train while you work. If you\u2019re interested in a career where this is possible, skipping the higher education step can save you from student loans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Internships allow you to train for a role on-site and receive compensation at the same time. Internship programs<\/a> are available across a range of industries, but some are aimed at college students and require you to be enrolled in a relevant course. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Non-college internships are more commonly available in vocational areas such as plumbing, construction, or carpentry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all jobs require a full four-year degree. There are plenty of career opportunities for candidates who can back up their skills with experience rather than qualifications. Here are some of the most common:<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re a chatty person and willing to learn the tricks of the trade, getting a junior role in sales<\/a> is an achievable goal. You\u2019ll be taught the sales models<\/a> and tactics used to scout out leads and earn their attention, and once you\u2019ve built up some experience, you can apply for more senior roles. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Hospitality is another sector that you can join with no experience and quickly become qualified for more senior roles. It\u2019s suited to those with a passion for customer service and a knack for organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re an expert in social media, digital marketing might be a great option that doesn\u2019t really require schooling. You can use your own social accounts as portfolios to showcase what you do and how well you know the industry, and you can also pick up some traditional marketing certifications to help bolster your qualifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While there are many childcare-related courses available at colleges and schools, you don\u2019t have to hold these qualifications to get into the industry. By starting in a junior position, you can learn the skills of the trade and even do part-time schooling later on if you decide to move into a more specialized role. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s possible to start a trade job<\/a> without training first, and without it being an internship. You\u2019ll still begin with training, but you\u2019ll be paid a full salary and have lots of other work alongside your studies. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Employers often look for experience over qualifications when it comes to administrative work because tried and tested organization and time management skills are more valued than Microsoft Office credentials. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After starting in a junior role, you can gain experience, find work in larger companies, and be trusted with more responsibility. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Design is a skills-based job that anyone can learn on their own time or have latent skills in. Degrees can be useful in this sector, but an impressive portfolio can showcase your skills and prove your competence without the need for qualifications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can get a junior role in retail even during high school, and once you have some experience, you\u2019ll quickly be able to rise into managerial roles. If you have passion and knowledge for what you\u2019re selling, such as clothes or jewelry, you can also find positions in high-end shops that deal in expensive products and high-class shopping experiences. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Taking some time out after high school is as viable an option as any, and while you\u2019re figuring things out or crossing some items off your bucket list, you can also use gig work to get some work experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Customer service work often involves communicating with customers over the phone or over online chat. In some cases, the work can be done from home and you can find jobs with flexible hours. It can also be good work for people who can speak multiple languages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Online articles are a big industry right now, and it\u2019s not as hard to get into as you might think. Simple, friendly, and casual writing is in demand because it\u2019s easy for people all across the world to engage with, so you don\u2019t need to have a specialized education in writing to start working. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you\u2019re over the age of 18, you can enlist in the military. If this is something that interests you, it\u2019s important to research the various options and be aware of how long you\u2019d be committing yourself to serve. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While many Asian countries like China, Korea, and Japan require the majority of their English teachers to have a bachelor\u2019s degree for visa purposes, there are plenty of other countries around the world that will allow you to teach English without a degree<\/a> (note that most<\/em> employers will require an accredited TEFL certification<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n By applying to dispatch teaching companies, you can get a visa, a placement, and even accommodation through your company. All you have to do is buy a plane ticket and start teaching. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Traveling is a big part of some people\u2019s lives, but no one wants to leave their house unattended for a long period of time. Because of this, housesitting is actually quite a large industry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n By working with a house-sitting agency like TrustedHousesitters<\/a>, you can travel around looking after people\u2019s houses. Since you\u2019re getting paid just to be somewhere, it also leaves you plenty of time to do other remote work like software engineering, writing, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Some people dream of starting their own business, and although success is never a guarantee, it\u2019s now easier than ever to make this dream a reality. If you have an idea or a concept you want to bring into the world, you don\u2019t necessarily have to complete any higher education before starting your business. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Freelancers exist in most industries, including writing, art, construction, event planning, tutoring, and even software engineering. As long as you can provide a service worth compensation, you can do anything as a freelancer, even if no one else is doing it already. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019re interested in traveling for work, you don\u2019t necessarily have to become a fancy high-paid business professional with important meetings to attend. Working on a cruise ship<\/a> lets you travel while working a range of accessible jobs, from hospitality and janitorial, to entertainment and catering. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After you graduate high school, the mandatory routine you\u2019ve been following for the majority of your life comes to an end. When this happens, the most important thing isn\u2019t making money or gaining work experience as quickly as possible, but finding something that keeps you motivated and excited about your future. Here are some of the most popular adventures and experiences you can take on: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gap years<\/a> are popular amongst high school graduates and can be beneficial both for people with plans and people who are still figuring things out. Many people also work part-time during their last couple of years at school to save up for their gap year. It\u2019s essentially a year of complete freedom, and any of the following ideas would help you gain valuable life experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Travel, both domestic and international, is a great experience for a high school graduate. Depending on your situation, you may have spent your entire life so far in the same state, so seeing new places can really help you broaden your horizons and think bigger about what you want to do with your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Road trips are a special type of travel where the journey is as much the focus as the destination. They\u2019re a chance to see how you fare out in the world by yourself, managing expenses and taking charge of your own transportation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n It\u2019s not for everyone, but investing is an interest that can become a considerable stream of income for some people. If you build up knowledge<\/a> while you\u2019re still young, your understanding of the industry could become a valuable skill later on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people will move away from their family home for the first time after graduating high school, so if you haven\u2019t already, it\u2019s a great time to learn to cook. There are many ways to feed yourself nowadays, but nothing is healthier and cheaper than cooking for yourself. It really is an invaluable skill that can save you a lot of money throughout your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If there was something you always thought you\u2019d like to try during high school but you never found the time, it\u2019s not too late to do it now. Learning an instrument, studying a language, getting into a sport, or a new hobby\u2014any of these things can help you experience new things, find new passions, and meet new people. You never know where and how opportunities will present themselves.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Volunteer work can be great for personal development and always looks good on a resume too. Whether you\u2019re helping out at a local soup kitchen once a week or traveling across the world to help build houses, you can meet a lot of amazing people through volunteer work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adulting is something that comes more naturally to some than it does to others. Gas bills, medical insurance, rent, food, time, and money management\u2014these are all things that can make your life a whole lot easier and less stressful when dealt with efficiently. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Whether you\u2019re staying at home or moving out, it\u2019s a good idea to get involved with the necessary evils of adult life and start picking up the skills that will help you thrive later on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Moving away from your hometown<\/a> is a truly useful experience for a new high school graduate, and you don\u2019t need to have a specific reason to do it. It\u2019s impossible to say whether the experience will lead to your future career or inspire any new goals, but it will give you real-world experience and help you feel comfortable with moving around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When you know you\u2019re capable and open to moving across the country, you\u2019ll be able to find and consider a lot more opportunities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are a lot of different areas to focus on after your high school graduation. The good news is, as long as you\u2019re doing something<\/em>, you will be developing skills in at least one of these three areas:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Technical skills are career-specific skills like coding<\/a>, writing, building, drawing, or anything else you might use to exceed at a specific task. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCommunity College<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Trade School<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Certificate Program<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Career-Oriented Bootcamp<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Self-Taught Route<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Work<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Internship or Traineeship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"things](\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/things-to-do-after-high-school-internship-or-traineeship.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nExplore Jobs and Industries That Don\u2019t Require a University Degree<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"things](\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/things-to-do-after-high-school-jobs-and-industries-that-dont-require-a-university-degree-retail.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nSales<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Hospitality<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Digital Marketing<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Childcare<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Trade Jobs<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Administrative Assistant<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Design<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Retail<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Gig Work (Uber, DoorDash, Amazon Flex, etc.)<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Customer Service<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Writing<\/h5>\n\n\n\n
Enlist in the Military<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
![\"things](\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/things-to-do-after-high-school-enlist-in-the-military.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTeach English Abroad<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Housesitting<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Launch a Business (Entrepreneurship)<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Become a Freelancer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Work on a Cruise Ship<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Adventure and Experiences<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"things](\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/things-to-do-after-high-school-adventure-and-experiences.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nGap Year<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Travel<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Road Trip<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Start Investing<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Learn to Cook<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Learn an Instrument<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Volunteer<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Learn Some Life Hacks<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Move to a New City or Country<\/h4>\n\n\n\n
Essential Skills To Develop After High School<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
![\"Essential](\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/essential-skills-to-develop-after-high-school.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\nTechnical Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Soft Skills<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.springboard.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/12\/how-can-i-figure-out-what-to-do-after-high-school.jpg\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n