As a graduating high school student, I can assure you that I’m worried about the future. Somehow, in this ever-changing world of ours, we students are supposed to find our passions, lay the groundwork for our future careers, and sculpt a place for ourselves among the 7.7 billion people around us. This can feel like a daunting task to many, including me, but it doesn’t have to be. As students, we have the unique opportunity to develop good habits and find our passion before being thrown into the future.
I want to be a journalist — more specifically, a political journalist. So, to help secure my future plans, I’ve made connections with people who are interested in the same career path as me. I began working with my local newspaper as a freelance journalist and created a name and place for myself there for when I graduate college. Along with that connection, I’ve been able to meet my government officials through that position and through SkillsUSA. These connections, if kept close, can strengthen my ability to follow my passions for journalism and political science.
The company we keep is a key component to success. Obviously the future isn’t set; we can’t possibly be expected to know what will happen tomorrow, even less what happens months from now. But we can set a standard, surround ourselves with the people that facilitate our success, and, by doing so, we can secure our destinies.
So, look into the businesses near you that focus on your career path, and see about applying for a job or an internship to gain the industry connections that can secure your career.
The future isn’t set, and while I can’t tell you what’s going to happen tomorrow, I can tell you that, by doing these simple tasks, you’re securing your place in the career path of your choice.
Photo by Lloyd Wolf
