How to Choose a Career Path in High School: It's About Exploration, Not Perfection
Sep 04, 2025
Careers Aren't Checkboxes β
They're Callings!
Confession time: one of my guilty pleasures is to be left alone with a good book. And as a certified book nerd, nothing compares to the thrill of getting lost in a stack of nonfiction gems. If there's an author who's totally changed how I look at work and finding my purpose, it's Arthur C. Brooks.
In fact, after soaking up his book From Strength to Strength, I finally got the courage to launch getCAREERcurious—which, if you're here wondering "what career should I choose," means you're career-curious too!
Recently, Brooks dropped more wisdom in The Atlantic with his piece "The Ultimate Career Advice: Make Your Work Your Calling."
Forget jobs that are just "safe" or "smart." Brooks says the best careers give you purpose, energy, and drive—even on the tough days.
My Journey to Find My Calling (Spoiler: It Wasn't My First Job)
I couldn't agree more Brooks' message! I went the "safe" and "smart" route straight out of college, and let me tell you, that first job was NOT my calling. But here's the thing: that's exactly what I needed at the time. With zero safety net and bills to pay from day one, I took a job with Anderson Consulting (now Accenture) as a systems analyst.
Plot twist? I was a Spanish major with absolutely zero interest in IT systems. How I even landed that job is still a mystery, but it gave me my start, and how thankful I was for that opportunity.
Twelve weeks of intensive training later, I was finally assigned to my first project as a systems programmer. Total disaster! There was no universe where I could sit behind a desk writing and testing code for 8+ hours a day without losing my mind. I knew immediately—this wasn't for me.
But here's where it gets good: I absolutely loved the people I worked with and the company culture. So instead of bailing, I got curious and started looking for other roles within the firm. That curiosity led me to a role in International Business Development role that aligned with my natural skills and interests. Same company, totally different job.
The takeaway? Sometimes the "safe career" choice isn't your forever choice—but it can be your stepping stone to something way better.
How to Find Your Calling (Even When It Feels Impossible)
Let's be honest—when you're in high school or a recent graduate, finding your calling can feel like a mystery. Brooks gets that, and he gets us. Brooks talks about "subjective careers," which are jobs you choose because they feel like your calling.
How do you know something is your calling?
Brooks advises that you will know if a job is your calling when everything's falling apart, you don't just bounce. Why? Because on your worst day, you might rage-quit a job, but you don't quit your calling. It's not something you picked—it picked you. That's the thing that sticks. It gives you grit and joy way beyond a paycheck or a fancy title.
What Career Should I Choose? Start With This Career Advice
Brooks' career advice isn't just for people with decades of experience or stacked resumes. He's all about finding intrinsically interesting work—the stuff that sparks your curiosity. Interest is totally personal, so no one's path will ever look the same when asking "what career should I choose?"
The real key? Finding meaning in what you do and serving others with it. That's where careers turn into callings.
For Students—Get Career Curious, Not Career Stressed
Career exploration for high school students should begin with understanding yourself, not with job titles. Here's how to start your career planning process:
Career Exploration Questions Every Student Should Ask:
- What problems do you want to solve?
- What activities make you lose track of time?
- What are your core strengths and values?
Best Career Exploration Activities for Teens & Young Adults
- Job shadowing professionals in fields that interest you
- Volunteer work to test your interests
- Passion projects that build skills naturally
- Internships for hands-on experience
College vs Trade School vs Gap Year: All Valid Career Paths
Here's something nobody tells you about choosing your career path in high school: there's no one "right" way. Whether you're considering college, trade school, or taking a gap year to explore, each path can lead to meaningful work.
The key is matching your choice to your interests and goals, not what looks good on paper. Some students thrive in traditional college settings, others excel in hands-on trade programs, and some need time to explore before committing.
Why Most High School Career Advice Misses the Mark
Here's what career exploration for teens and young adults usually gets wrong: it focuses on finding the perfect job instead of building the skills to find meaning in whatever work you do. Brooks reminds us that finding your calling isn't about the actual work—it's about the meaning you bring to it and how you serve others.
This is the best career advice for anyone still exploring:
Your first job doesn't define you. Meaning comes from how you show up and grow along the way.
Career Planning Tools: Your Next Step in Career Exploration
If you're ready to ditch the pressure and start with curiosity, the Career Compass is designed specifically for high school and college-age students choosing a career path. It's not a crystal ball, but a stress-free guide that helps you explore careers aligned with your strengths, interests, and values.
Instead of picking your "perfect job," it opens doors to possibilities you can test and explore—without pressure to get it right immediately.
Ready to spark your career curiosity?
Take the Career Compass guide now! Your future is brighter than you think. π
Go ahead—grab a book, take a breath, and getCAREERcurious. Your journey to find your calling starts here, with you and a little curiosity.
