When I first started working as a career counselor in a small suburban high school in the United States, I thought my job would be mostly about helping students pick majors or write résumés. But over the years, I learned that real career planning is not just about choosing a profession; it’s about guiding young people through a journey of self-discovery, trial, and adaptation. It’s about giving them the tools to navigate a world that is constantly shifting beneath their feet.
I still remember one of my first students, Sarah, who came into my office on a rainy afternoon, clutching a folder filled with college brochures. She was a bright junior with a GPA most students would envy, yet her voice shook when she said, “I have no idea what I want to do.” That moment reminded me of something important: career planning at this stage is less about knowing all the answers and more about learning how to ask the right questions.
The first step I always take with students like Sarah is to explore who they are beyond grades and test scores. I ask about the subjects they love, the hobbies they lose track of time doing, the causes that stir something deep inside them. Sometimes the answers come quickly—like the student who could talk for hours about designing video games—but more often they emerge slowly, through conversations, self-assessments, and even a few uncomfortable silences. High school is the perfect time for this exploration because it’s a safe space to experiment and fail without the long-term consequences that adulthood brings.
I’ve learned to stress the importance of exposure. A student might think they want to be a doctor until they shadow one for a day and realize they faint at the sight of blood. Another might discover a passion for mechanical engineering after joining the school’s robotics club. Volunteering, part-time jobs, internships, and even summer courses give students a taste of different fields and help them build a mental map of what excites them and what doesn’t. Career planning isn’t just about aiming for a single target; it’s about walking through a series of open doors to see what’s on the other side.
Once students have some sense of direction, I encourage them to think about their path in stages rather than a rigid plan. In today’s world, careers often twist and turn in ways that would surprise even the most prepared student. A teenager might start in computer science and later move into business, design, or even education. The key is to focus on building skills that are valuable across multiple fields—communication, problem-solving, adaptability, and digital literacy. These become the anchors when the tides of the job market change.
There’s also the practical side of planning that can’t be ignored. I spend time walking students through the realities of education costs, scholarships, and how to weigh potential debt against expected salaries. For some, this means considering community college before transferring to a four-year university. For others, it might mean exploring apprenticeship programs or specialized trade schools that lead directly into well-paying careers without the burden of a bachelor’s degree. It’s not about pushing one path over another but about aligning choices with both ambition and financial reality.
I try to make every student understand that career planning is not a one-time decision made at seventeen; it’s a lifelong process of setting goals, testing them, and adjusting course when necessary. This mindset removes the crushing pressure to “get it right” on the first try. Instead, it turns the journey into a series of informed choices, each one bringing them closer to a fulfilling and sustainable career.
By the time Sarah graduated, she hadn’t chosen a single, unshakable career goal. Instead, she had built a toolkit of skills, experiences, and self-awareness. She went to college undecided, but within her first year, she found herself drawn to environmental science after joining a research project on campus. That decision didn’t come from panic or guesswork; it came from years of exploration, reflection, and guided steps during high school.
Every student I meet reminds me that the real purpose of career counseling is not to hand them a map with a fixed route but to teach them how to navigate, read the signs, and trust their instincts. In the end, the best career planning strategy is one that empowers them to walk forward with curiosity, resilience, and the confidence that they can adapt to whatever lies ahead.