Your path to a successful future is possible with planning and the right information. This page provides various resources to help you make the best decisions for your life after high school. It includes information about college, career pathways, financial literacy, test preparation, and required job skills for various occupations. For some, college is the right decision, while others may choose a vocational school, the military, or another type of job training program. Your high school guidance counselors and teachers are also important resources. Plan to meet with them regularly as you near graduation.
Career Planning
Bureau of Labor and Statistics
The mission of the Bureau of Labor is to collect and analyze job market data for the benefit of the American people. This site contains a wealth of information for everyone about careers, salaries, educational requirements, and necessary skills. There are links to educational online games and important resources for students.
Career Connections
The Ohio Department of Education has created this site for teens and their families to discover pathways to careers in various industries. Students can also learn how to receive the OhioMeansJobs Readiness seal on their high school diploma showing they are prepared to contribute to the workplace and their communities.
Career One Stop
Career One Stop is your place for career exploration, training, and jobs. Take an interest assessment created by the U.S. Department of Labor to help you decide what might be a great career for you.
Career Outlook
Career Outlook articles from the U.S. Department of Labor provide data and information on a variety of topics—including occupations, industries, pay, benefits, and more. These articles are helpful for students, career counselors, and job seekers.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free, personalized learning resource for all ages. You can explore careers and watch video interviews of real people on the job talking about the needed skills and educational requirements for their occupation. Check out "College, careers, & more" at the bottom of the home page.
OhioMeansJobs K – 12
Use this site to learn about careers and planning for your future. Take a career interests survey and build a mock budget to learn about the cost of living.
O*NET Online
Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, this free database contains information about a broad range of careers. Learn about job salaries, skills, educational requirements, and work activities for over 900 occupations.
Monster: What are soft skills?
Developing soft skills can sometimes be overlooked, but they are needed to be successful in any career. Being a problem solver, possessing a good work ethic, and knowing how to get along well with others are all essential soft skill traits. Learn how to develop your soft skills in this article from Monster.
Get My Future
This site is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor and it’s designed just for Young Adults thinking about their future. Take self-assessment quizzes, explore the necessary steps to attend college, and learn how to write a resume. It’s all here!
My Next Move/O*NET Interests Profiler
If you don’t know what you’d like to do for a living, this site will help you explore your interests. The interactive tools will match your interests and talents to related careers. This site is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor.
Occupational and Outlook Handbook
Browse hundreds of occupations to learn more about what a specific job pays, its educational or training requirements, and outlook for future growth.
College Resources
Career and College Planning
Resources from the Ohio Department of Education will inform and help families plan for their children’s careers and college years, including high school graduation requirements, college and work transitions, college applications, financial aid, career-technical education and other learning opportunities
College Board
The College Board is a mission-driven not-for-profit organization that connects students to college success and opportunity. This site provides registration information for the SAT, as well as free practice questions with detailed explanations, sample essays, and full printable practice test with answers.
College Credit Plus
Ohio’s College Credit Plus can help you earn college credits as a high school student by taking FREE courses from community colleges or universities. The purpose of this program is to promote rigorous academic pursuits and to provide a wide variety of options to college-ready, high school students.
Common Application
More than 800 colleges can be accessed through this standardized college application. Fill out one application and submit it to the colleges of your choice. You can add details and tailor your application to meet the requirements of each college you are applying to.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy is a free, personalized learning resource for all ages. This site offers practice SAT tests, along with instructional videos, and a personalized learning dashboard which includes a wide variety of subjects such as math, science, computer programming, history, art history, economics, and more. They have partnered with institutions like NASA, The Museum of Modern Art, The California Academy of Sciences, and MIT to offer specialized content.
KnowHow2Go
This website was developed especially for low income students who may also be the first in their families to attend college. You’ll find practical information (and inspiration) for students who want to obtain a higher education but may not think it’s possible.
Ohio Higher Ed
Students can find detailed information about choosing a college, financial aid, internships, job co-ops, and career planning for life after college.
Financial Literacy
The Mint
This fun and interactive site provides tools to help children and teens understand how to manage money for their future. Whether you are saving money for college or learning how to write your first check, this site can help you be more financially literate.
Washington Department of Financial Institutions
The Washington State Department of Financial Institutions (DFI) has developed this website to provide information about financial education and resources. It includes several games about budgeting.
Military Resources
ASVAB Testing Program
The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, is a multiple-aptitude test that measures developed abilities and helps predict future academic and occupational success in the military. It is administered annually to more than one million military applicants, high school, and post-secondary students. This site offers information about where to take the ASVAB test and provides sample questions.
Military.com: Ace the ASVAB
Military.com is committed to the mission of connecting the military community to all the advantages earned in service to America. Military.com is a division of Monster Worldwide. This link takes you to more information about the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery, or ASVAB, and practice tests.
Today’s Military
The Today’s Military website is produced by the United States Department of Defense. This site is not intended as a recruiting tool for any branch of the U.S. Military, rather it was developed as a resource for young adults, parents and educators curious about military service.
Today’s Military CAREER FIELDS & PROFILES
Choosing a career in the Military takes careful consideration. Explore this site to find jobs that fit your skill set and interests. You'll find information about careers in the military, required training, daily responsibilities and associated civilian careers. Additionally, be sure to check out our career profiles for a personal look from a service member about day-to-day life in that field.
Scholarships & Financial Aid
FAFSA
This is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®). You need to fill out this online application before attending college to receive financial aid. Grants, loans, and work-study programs are all components of financial aid and can be accessed through this one application.
Lake/Geauga Educational Foundation
This local resource provides scholarship information, ACT/SAT preparation, career counseling, and more to Lake and Geauga students. They can help you file your FASFA application and keep you on track with important college deadlines.
Vocational Education
Auburn Career Center
This is your local technical career school center. You can learn skills and gain experience to prepare you for the workforce in such occupations as cosmetology, welding, health sciences, and construction. You may even begin attending classes while in high school.
Ohio Higher Ed: Career Technical Education & Ohio Technical Centers
Ohio offers many career technical options that prepare students for the world of work. Examples of these careers include nursing, information technology, automotive services, welding and cosmetology. There are a variety of choices in training programs, and many of them not only prepare students to enter into a career but also prepare them to transition to college degree programs.