Advice for My Brother, A High School Junior
You have one year to get your life in order.
When you take off for summer break in a few weeks, you’re going to see a quick transition in the types of conversations you have with adults. Instead of answering questions like, “How’s basketball?”, the adults around you will begin to ask, “What do you want to do after high school?”.
You can’t even vote yet, and everyone expects you to have your life figured out. Right now, you’re biggest dilemmas probably involve bad first dates and the book report you forgot is due tomorrow morning.
Tip #1: Get to Work
My first job wasn’t glamorous and didn’t pay great. I spent my freshman summer stocking shelves at a hardware store. I knew absolutely nothing about tools. Work ethic, a desire to learn, and networking got me the job. These three things are critical to getting any job.
By the end of that summer, I had spent most of my paychecks, but I walked away with some major life lessons. The jobs you work at in high school and college will hone your “soft skills”, which are a lot harder to master than they seem. Making small talk, working in a team, and other skills not taught in class will be the things interviewers are looking for that aren’t listed in the job requirements.
Tip #2: Consider Your Options
As an American man, you typically have one of three pathways to success: go to college, join the military, or begin your career. Each of these options can be equally rewarding.
College (The Safe Bet If Done Correctly)
Going to college is the logical next step for most high school graduates. Speak with your high school counselor and make plans to take the SAT/ACT at least three times. A few months before graduation, register for FAFSA.
Visit at least three colleges that you can realistically attend. Whether you are considering the Ivy League or the local community college, college is an investment. Choose the school and major that will net you the largest return on that investment. Consider financial aid, scholarships, living expenses, and potential part-time jobs when making your decision.
I chose to attend college, and it was the best decision I ever made. For others, it is a poor decision. The most difficult aspect of college isn’t getting in or even paying for it; it’s graduating. If you want to go to college, choose a school that sets you up to succeed. Don’t let your friend’s choices or the prestige of one university versus another factor into the equation.
There are all sorts of stories that come out each year listing the best majors and schools in America. Read those, but don’t take them too seriously. If you are unsure which field you should enter, wait. You can take core courses required for most majors in your first few college semesters before you declare a major.
One of the biggest mistakes you can make in college is serially changing majors. With that said, a large number of students change their majors — once. It is an option if you have a “breakthrough” moment or have a similar major that better suits your skills, but it is a decision not to be taken lightly.
Find a field with an unemployment rate below 5%, and choose the major that will best prepare you to enter that field. Reach out to organizations hiring in your field of choice, and ask what majors they would recommend. If you learn a skill in high demand, you’ll have a leg-up on your peers.
“But I want to find my passion.” There is a good chance you’ll spend an eternity waiting for passion. Be proactive. Raghav Haran suggests, “Pick something that sounds interesting and get good at it. Then, you’ll become passionate.”
Service (The Way The Greatest Generation Did It)
There’s something to be said for serving one’s country. Increasingly, it is a choice for a select few, but it may be the right decision for you.
Many of my friends enlisted after graduation. All of them said it was tough, but they mastered those “soft skills” I mentioned earlier. Choosing the military gives you time to decide what you want to do after your finished serving, and the GI bill will cover your college expenses if you choose to go back to school when you return to civilian life.
On the other hand, many find their calling in the military. Now more than ever, American needs exceptional men and women like you to protect the interests of our country and its allies. Regardless who wins the election in November, the world is reaching a climax it hasn’t seen in decades.
Speak with people you know who served before you speak with a recruiter. Ask about the differences between the service branches and the roles that may fit you.
Your mother will lose her mind if you choose this option, but she will respect it. Just be sure to return to her alive. If you do, you’ll come back a completely different person — for the better.
Working (The High-Risk, High-Reward Option)
While the road to success without a college degree is hard, it is possible for those willing to earn it. Both of your grandfathers provided for their families this way, and they went to work each day with pride.
You may find the job of your dreams doesn’t require a college education. Many vocations allow you to learn on the job.
There are a large number of underemployed citizens in America today. If the point of college is to get a job, what’s the point in spending tens of thousands of dollars to work for minimum wage?
If you want to be an entrepreneur or a skilled tradesman, you’re probably better off skipping college. You will have a four-year head start on the competition, and you won’t have a $500 student loan bill.
Tip #3: Don’t Stress About the Decisions Ahead
When Thomas Jefferson penned the Declaration of Independence, he wrote what I consider the most inspiring words in modern literature:
We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.
It doesn’t matter which path you choose as long as you make a choice. You can even change your mind as long as you never stop pursuing.
Over the next year, expand your horizons and reflect on the paths that await you. You are prepared for the journey regardless of your selection. God speed.
