Life After High School
The Challenge
Can’t wait to get out of high school? Juniors and seniors … it won’t be much longer! Much of your life after high school will be determined by you. How will you evaluate your choices for what you will do after graduation? How will you invest in yourself? Where will your journey start?
Here are some of your possibilities…
- Attending a four-year college could put you on the fast track to your dream career.
- Community college offers an associate’s degree — with the option to complete a bachelor’s degree after the two years.
- Starting an apprenticeship or directly entering the workforce allows you to earn while you learn, and it may help you decide what kind of training you really need to move forward.
- Joining the armed services or volunteering for a service corps can teach valuable, hands-on life skills and offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
- And what about that year off? Common in European countries after high school, a “gap year” can be an ideal time to travel, do community service, or live in a foreign country. As you explore the real world, you will have the opportunity to reflect and learn more about yourself.
Here is your challenge: Write a brief essay about your post-graduation plans that incorporates economic concepts.* How will you weigh the costs and benefits of your options? What is the best road to earn the education and skills you need? Does college make the most economic sense? Is there an economic benefit to entering the workforce right away?
There is no right or wrong path to choose. Every path can lead you to more than one destination, and changes are bound to be made along the way. But remember that each choice you make requires sacrifices. Good luck!
Entry Deadline: April 11, 2008
*Examples of economic concepts include:
- Financial Goals
- Desired results from one’s efforts to achieve personal economic satisfaction
- Human Capital
- The total of a person’s productive knowledge, experience, and training; the more you invest in yourself, the more productive you become and the more you contribute to the economy
- Incentive
- A factor that encourages people to do something; often a monetary reward or the prospect of obtaining one
- Standard of Living
- The overall degree of comfort of an individual, household, or population, as measured by the amount of goods and services consumed