
Graduating high school is the first step to exploring the world beyond. At this point, you have several options. What you decide next will determine how you spend your first several years after high school.
Your Options After High School |
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Pay: Grants and loans
Food: on-campus cafeteria or off campus Housing: dorms or off campus |
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A degree that will, in theory, get you a better job and higher pay. | ![]() |
Expensive demanding. Loans you have to pay back. No guarantee it will lead to jobs. |
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~4-5 years for undergraduate or ~4-5 for graduate | ||
JOB |
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Pay: $7.25/hour (min. wage), $1,160/month, or $15,080.00/year Food: eating out or cooking at home Housing: at home or in an apartment |
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Mind-opening experiences, travel, pay, and an opportunity to earn money for college | ![]() |
Entry-level jobs are often not a living wage. Sometimes you won’t be able to stay out late or hang out on weekends because of scheduling. |
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It depends on your schedule. 40 hours is full-time |
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YEAR OFF / TRAVEL |
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Pay: travel-related work or job to pay for travel Food: eating out or cooking at home Housing: home to save money to travel |
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Mind-opening experiences and an opportunity to consider all your future options | ![]() |
This is expensive and it’s possible to lose momentum by getting distracted |
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Varies | ||
MILITARY |
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Pay: $1,468 per month or $17,616 per year plus bonuses Food: Provided Housing: Provided |
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Mind-opening experiences, opportunity to consider all your future options | ![]() |
Depending on your placement, this could be a dangerous, several-year investment |
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4 – 8 years |
Continue on to learn phrases to adult by and how to verify facts. Then head over to our Civil Duties heading, to learn how to vote and, if you choose, enlist in the military.