The teacher-internship experience this summer made me realize there a many career opportunities for students. Just at Carowinds alone, there were positions for chefs, computer programming and software professionals, engineers, mechanical technicians, sales people, marketing personnel, digital media experts, event planners, entertainment managers, food and dining specialists, accountants, aquatic supervisors, artists, actors, landscapers, and much more.
I think the biggest change in my mindset about career opportunities is that a 4-year college experience is not the only path to finding a fulfilling job. Specific skills sets are needed at companies and industries that can be learned at trade schools, community colleges, and even “on-the-job”. There are so many opportunities for young people, but I’m not sure students in high school are aware of these options.
In addition, it’s difficult to know when you are a teenager what you want to pursue as a career after high school. I met several people during my internship at Carowinds who worked during the summer months and “got a feel” for a job before realizing it was the right fit. Some employees also experienced different positions at the amusement park before determining the area they wanted to focus on long-term. They learned a great deal from managers and trainers, and are now in leadership roles themselves – just a few years after graduating high school.
My takeaway: If you are unsure about a career then choose a summer job while you are still in high school related to something you are interested in, or “test-drive” a few jobs to know if one is the right fit. There are plenty of careers out there and they are not going away! Before investing in a 4-year college, take advantage of the opportunity to experience some options!
Last, I realize there will be many careers – not even created yet – available when my second graders graduate from high school 11 years from now! While it may seem hard to start preparing them for the future, it really isn’t. People will always need to collaborate, teach one another, communicate, problem solve, and use critical and divergent thinking skills. No matter what the career, these are capabilities our students will need. I plan to incorporate many opportunities for students to learn and practice these skills for real world application!