Planning for After High School
Understanding Pathways
Career & College Center
As you go through this presentation remember this question: ��What is the vision you have for your life after High School?
Other helpful questions to keep in mind:
What is important to you in pathway after graduation?
What are your interests and eventual career goals?
Which plan/path best supports your goals?
Postsecondary Pathways
Life After High School
Common Pathways
Employment | |||
You plan to get a job right after high school graduation as your main activity | |||
💰 | Average Salary | $38,000 - 46,000�Mpls min wage - $30,000 | |
⌚ | Training Time | Job dependent (usually paid on the job training) | |
🧭 | Focus Areas and Career Examples | Retail, food service, driver, indoor/outdoor maintenance | |
👍 | Positives | Earn money now! No debt, ability to build skills | |
👎 | Considerations | Lower starting salary, lower wage ceiling | |
Where to Start | Online, in-person, contacts | ||
How to Apply | Directly with employer | ||
Timeline | Anytime during Senior Year | ||
Apprenticeship | ||||
Earn-as-you-learn workforce training model usually sponsored by a union | ||||
💰 | Average Salary | $50,000 | ||
⌚ | Training Time | Approximately 4 Years (depends on industry/job) | ||
🧭 | Focus Areas and Career Examples | Pipe fitting, construction, electrical, plumbing, weld | ||
👍 | Positives | Earn while you learn, little to no debt | ||
👎 | Considerations | Less clear entry process, high physical demands | ||
Where to Start | ||||
How to Apply | Online or at a union offices | |||
Timeline | Varies - throughout Senior Year | |||
Military | ||||
Armed forces of the US Government Army | Marine Corps | Navy | Air Force | Space Force | Coast Guard | ||||
💰 | Average Salary | 2023 Basic Pay + Benefits | ||
⌚ | Training Time | Usually 8 year �(depends on position/branch) | ||
🧭 | Focus Areas and Career Examples | Admin, combat, logistic, construction, healthcare | ||
👍 | Positives | Training, benefits, service | ||
👎 | Considerations | Less autonomy, time commitment, risk | ||
Where to Start | ||||
How to Apply | Recruiter or military academy | |||
Timeline | Anytime during Senior Year | |||
Gap Year | ||||
A chance to take time between high school and college with specific goals | ||||
💰 | Average Salary | $0 or Living Stipend | ||
⌚ | Training Time | Up to 1 Year | ||
🧭 | Focus Areas and Career Examples | Volunteering, building skills (language), travel | ||
👍 | Positives | Travel, reflection, service | ||
👎 | Considerations | Delays college, cost with little to no income | ||
Where to Start | ||||
How to Apply | Usually online | |||
Timeline | Second half of Senior Year | |||
Career Certificate | ||||
Short-term training option that will prepare you for a specific job | ||||
💰 | Average Salary | $50,000 | ||
⌚ | Training Time | Few weeks up to a year | ||
🧭 | Focus Areas and Career Examples | Forklift, nursing assistant, web design, automotive | ||
👍 | Positives | High employability, less debt, quick access to work | ||
👎 | Considerations | Initial cost, lower income ceiling, more future training | ||
Where to Start | ||||
How to Apply | Usually online | |||
Timeline | Program dependant | |||
Two Year College Community College | ||||
Awards Associate Degrees for either work or to transfer | ||||
💰 | Average Salary | $46,000 | ||
⌚ | Training Time | Approximately 2 Years | ||
🧭 | Focus Areas and Career Examples | Carpentry, culinary, transfer pathway, construction, electrician | ||
👍 | Positives | Lower cost, transfer possibilities, career focused majors | ||
👎 | Considerations | Credit transfer issues, not the “traditional” college experience | ||
Four Year College | ||||
Award Bachelor's Degrees for work or pursue graduate level degrees | ||||
💰 | Average Salary | $70,000 | ||
⌚ | Training Time | Approximately 4 Years | ||
🧭 | Focus Areas and Career Examples | Arts, engineering, philosophy,biology, pre-studies | ||
👍 | Positives | Higher salary, various campus communities and fields of study | ||
👎 | Considerations | Expense, delayed income, can have difficult employment search after | ||
HBCUs and Other BIPOC Serving Institutions
Pathway Comparison Chart
Quick Reference
Employment | Apprenticeship | Military | Certificate | 2-Year College | 4-Year College |
Earn | Earn and Learn | Learn then Earn | |||
Full time employment directly after high school | Work and learn on a job site and/or training facility Up to six-year program | Immediate work and multi-year commitment Can be before or after pursuing a college degree | From couple of weeks up to 1-year training program in a very specific career field | 2-years in a specific field Can transfer to a bachelor program after completion | 4-year degree program Can be used to obtain further advanced degrees |
What’s the cost? | |||||
$ | $ | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$$ |
$0 (May need to buy uniform) | $0 (May need to buy tools) | $0 | Average cost per program: $0-$2,000 | Average cost per year: $8,270 | Average cost per year: Public: $14,880 | Private: $27,290 |
Average salary range: $38,000 - 46,000 Minneapolis minimum wage - $30,380 | Varies by industry/level: $35,800-71,000 | Varies by rank: $20,000-90,000 (base pay without allowances like housing, uniform, medical, etc.) | Average salary: $46,500 | Average salary: $50,000 | Average salary: $70,000 |
Is a credential earned? | |||||
Not usually | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Highlights and Considerations | |||||
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Examples of Careers | |||||
Child Care Worker, Service Industries, Retail | Plumbing, Welding, Construction | All civilian jobs + Combat | CNA, IT, Automotive, EMT | Dental Hygienist, Paralegal, Graphic Design | Engineering, Business, Edu, Psych, Pre-Studies (Med/Law) |
Common Pathways
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