High School Corner

A Step-Up Job is a job that you have prior to landing your Goal Job. These are the jobs that help you along the way, giving you the opportunity to learn as you grow. However, did you know that you can start developing very important life skills in high school? Keep reading to learn about the ways you can leverage your education. And when you’re ready to join the workforce, reach out to AppleOne to assist you in finding your next opportunity.

NAVIGATING THE TRANSITION FROM HIGH SCHOOL TO THE WORKFORCE

Sure, you may not be in the workforce at this very moment but prepping ahead of time can give you the kickstart you need to set you apart from other people around you.

When looking at high school graduates, did you know that more than half of them feel unprepared for college and the workplace? Even more astonishingly, only 45% of these graduates feel positive about their readiness for the journey of life after high school.

It is more important now to understand the new ways in which we find and learn from our experiences at school and through our environment. Where school is still the main source of learning academic skills and exams are still the main source for evaluation of the student and the schools, other programs are sometimes cut in order to make way for academics.

What is the solution?

Taking your future into your own hands! It is up to you to educate yourself and make sure you are prepared for the real world.

We have created this page dedicated to students just like yourself who would like some assistance, tips, and tricks to help get them pointed in the right direction.

We recommend you check out our section on 12 Ways to Leverage Your Education. By reading, and implementing these tips, you can properly utilize and make the most out of the education you already have—be it high school, secondary school, or technical school, to create more market value for yourself. These tips will help you take advantage of all the resources currently available to you, whilst providing you with additional tips to help you stand out from the crowd.

How to prepare for the workforce while still in high school?

1. Learn to ace first impressions! In the workforce as well as your everyday personal life, first impressions are everything! It is very hard to change someone’s opinion of you once they’ve developed their first impressions. That is why you should work on feeling comfortable in front of people you may not know. High school is an incredible opportunity to practice this skill as you have countless opportunities every day to make first impressions with your peers. Introduce yourself, and get to know them!
2. Practice and create a 30-60 second “elevator pitch”. Have you ever watched the show Shark Tank? In that show, you will see how entrepreneurs can not only market their product, but market themselves in a very brief period of time. That is not to say all elevator pitches are successful, but by practicing, and learning from successful examples you can nail this part and be ready for the question every prospective employer asks, “why should we hire you?” Every interview is your chance to market yourself!
3. Start preparing a resume! A resume is a timeline of your education and your work experience. It shows a hiring manager what you’ve done and why you would be good for their opening. Make sure to add your skills, hobbies, certifications, and volunteer or leadership experience. Find out what a great resume looks like by clicking here.
4. Become a leader on your campus. There are many student-run organizations like student body government, clubs, and charities where you can volunteer for special events that give you experience to add to your resume.
5. Determine what you want to do and begin educating yourself. We have so many free tools available to us today on the internet. For example, you can learn about virtually anything on YouTube. This is a great resource to begin researching the industry or job you may be interested in pursuing and what it takes to be successful in each field. Once you have a general idea, then you can begin more in-depth research about the topic.

College Bound after High School?

When looking at the statistics, the percentage of high school students that want to go to college sits at 87%. However, as we dive a little further into the fine details, we notice this number decline. Of this 87% only 67% of students will go on to enroll in a university, and the current national statistic is that only 34% of Americans will continue to receive a degree. Clearly there is a big difference between wanting something to happen and making it happen. By preparing ahead of time, you actively shape your future for the better and stand out from your peers in the real world.

If you’re planning on going to college after high school, here are tips on how to prepare for that journey starting today.

1. Research different fields and industries and determine what interests you. Once you have an idea, talk to your teachers or school counselors about what you learned. Make plans to talk with them after school, and learn more about the benefits different industries have to offer. Always remember: the more connections you form now, the better off you’ll be in the future.
2. Research the universities you would like to attend and schedule a tour. Did you know that while many universities may offer certain programs, typically different universities will specialize in different fields. This will greatly impact the programs they offer, as well as your options within specific fields (i.e., culinary, computer, engineering, marine biology, etc.).
3. Look at application dates, deadlines, and plan ahead of time. Most schools will require an entrance essay, which is usually a paper you have to write to demonstrate your writing ability. This essay can also determine your eligibility for acceptance to the school. If you plan ahead, you can review your essay with your teachers and set yourself up for success by getting feedback and modifying it as needed. It is also crucial to plan ahead as schools typically charge a fee to apply, so you want to be sure you are only applying to the schools you want to go to. If you apply early, depending on your situation, there are some instances where you can get the fee waived. In addition to getting the fee waived, applying early for your FAFSA, which is required to attend college, will increase the amount of FREE aid you’re able to receive. This also gives you time to review scholarships and begin applying to them. Talk to your teachers and counselors for help with scholarship and college applications.

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