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Finish high school
Nearly every job requires basic communication and math skills. Compared to workers at higher education levels, high school dropouts have more difficulty getting and keeping jobs. They also have lower earnings throughout their lives.

Consider continuing your education
The more education you get, the higher your earnings are likely to be. On average, high school graduates earn more than high school dropouts. Those who receive post secondary training earn more than high school dropouts and graduates. And workers who have bachelor’s or higher degrees usually earn more than those with less education.

Research career information
A small investment of your time will help you make an informed career choice that could pay dividends throughout your life. There are hundreds of occupations, so choosing and planning a career is a lot more complex than it may appear. The ideal career for you might be something you’ve never heard of or thought about. The Occupational Outlook Handbook and other career publications are loaded with helpful information.

Plan your career
Seek out information about occupations with favorable career prospects, high earnings, and other attributes that are important to you. Having a solid career plan can affect your future prospects more than how much education you have. True, college study increases opportunities for careers with above-average earnings—but not in all fields. Good opportunities await workers without college degrees who spend several years learning a sought after skill or craft.

by Jon Sargent Adapted from the Occupational Outlook Quarterly, Summer 1999