Resources / What I want to be
What do I want to be?
This is the question adults ask you the most. You are allowed to answer “I don't know yet.” The goal in high school is not to pick one job — it's to keep good doors open. Here is what each pathway can lead to, and the classes that get you started.
Pathways and job titles
Health & Medicine
Nursing, medicine, therapy, lab and clinical work.
Jobs people do
- Nurse
- Dental assistant
- Physical therapist
- EMT
- Lab tech
Engineering & Manufacturing
Design, build and test physical things and systems.
Jobs people do
- Engineer
- Welder
- Machinist
- Drafter
- Robotics tech
Computing & IT
Software, networks, cybersecurity and data.
Jobs people do
- Programmer
- IT support
- Cybersecurity analyst
- Data analyst
- Web developer
Business & Finance
Accounting, management, marketing and entrepreneurship.
Jobs people do
- Business owner
- Accountant
- Bank teller
- Marketing manager
- Realtor
Skilled Trades & Construction
Construction, automotive, electrical and welding careers.
Jobs people do
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Carpenter
- Auto technician
- HVAC tech
Agriculture & Natural Resources
Farming, animal science, agribusiness and the environment.
Jobs people do
- Farmer or rancher
- Ag lender
- Vet tech
- Agronomist
- Game warden
Education & Human Services
Teaching, counseling, childcare and social work.
Jobs people do
- Teacher
- Child care provider
- School counselor
- Social worker
- Coach
Arts, Media & Communication
Visual art, music, theater, design and media production.
Jobs people do
- Graphic designer
- Musician
- Photographer
- Journalist
- Video editor
Law, Government & Public Safety
Law, criminal justice, military and public service.
Jobs people do
- Police officer
- Firefighter
- Paralegal
- Military service member
- City planner
How to test a job title
- Pick two or three titles that sound interesting — not one.
- Find out how much school each one needs: on-the-job training, a certificate, two years, or four.
- Ask someone who does that job what their Tuesday looks like.
- Take one high school class this year that touches it.