Posted On: March 1, 2010
Now that you have graduated high school you have some serious decisions to make. What you choose to do as a job at this point could have a major deciding factor as to what kind of lifestyle you and your family will have in the future. Although there are a number of options you could look into, many of them offer limited opportunities with much less income than to those who choose to pursue college degrees.
They say that high school isn’t for everyone. It’s true that not everyone who has been successful in their life has gone to college. But the less than 1% of the population that have gotten lucky is no reason for you to base your entire future on such a gamble. Unless you have invented something that will revolutionize the world, or you have what it takes to become a movie star, chances are you will most likely not be counting your wads of money in a huge mansion.
Some high school graduates simply have no desire to go to college, though. Their choice to immediately enter the workforce is understandable. Many young people simply want to start earning an income and forge a living on their own. Their tenacity for independence is admirable but keep in mind that there is a huge difference between working a job and having a career.
Careers come out of hard work and experience, and chances are you can’t obtain these by simply graduating high school. Many college degree holders have life goals that a low paying job just can’t accomplish. Careers give workers room for advancement within a company, allowing them to earn even more money and gain experience over time. They also give one a sense of pride and accomplishment for having such an important position.
According to data studies in 2005, the average high school graduate only earns $28,700 a year. Compare that with the average person holding a bachelors degree who earns an average of $53,800 a year. With the extra income those individuals make annually they have the opportunities to provide for their families better, live healthier lifestyles, and enjoy their leisure time more frequently.
Some people might opt for entering into public service work such as law enforcement officers, paramedics, and government employees. While many of these individuals find their careers to be quite lucrative, keep in mind that they too must obtain some type of certification and training for two to four years in order to become fully accredited.
Joining the military is another option. Those who choose this route after high school rarely do so in order to start a lifelong career with the government. With the funding they receive from their G.I. Bills most soldiers will take advantage of their free financial aid. It’s very common for enlisted soldiers to finish their required years of duty and go on to attend college or a training program in order to secure a high paying job with lesser risk.
It would seem that all of your options besides immediately going from high school to working a low paying job will inevitably lead to college. You don’t necessarily have to enroll immediately after you graduate but you should keep in mind that anything worth having is going to take time and hard work. The more effort you put in the more you fortunes you will reap in the future.