How To Encourage Students To Think Beyond Common Or Obvious Career Paths

Starting from when they are very young, students are regularly asked, “What do you want to be when you grow up?” Oftentimes, students are only aware of the careers of family members or those that they have seen on television, in movies, or on social media and, because of this, professions such as doctors, teachers, or sports figures often dominate the responses.

As students enter secondary school, it is important for these career aspirations to align with decisions about courses, extracurricular activities, and postsecondary planning. However, student awareness of possible career options all too often remains centered on personal experiences or commonly known career choices. And for many students, once they realize the training or academic requirements, or start to learn more about the specific nature of the job, they may become discouraged, even if they are still interested in the general field. 

It is critical to act with intention to help students expand their awareness and explore career options so they are able to find career choices that fit their interests, academic strengths, plans for postsecondary schooling, and long-term hopes and preferences. A great starting point for this process can be using a profession or field that does interest them or a general passion to then inform exploration of other options. Use this list below to help students think beyond common or obvious career paths. 

Interested in a job in the medical field? For a variety of reasons, many students, especially when they are younger, name becoming a doctor or a veterinarian as their career ambition. Whether it’s a penchant for science or a desire to work with animals, these two professions are commonly ones that children are aware of from a very young age. Going to medical or veterinary school, however, is incredibly costly, takes many years, and requires intensive prerequisite steps–all of which can be significant barriers. It is important for students to know that there are many jobs related to the medical profession that still allow for patient care or utilize a background in science, but do not require the same level of schooling or training. Students might consider:

• Physicians Assistant (advanced degree, avg. salary $125,000)
• Nurse Anesthetist (advanced degree, avg. salary $210,000)
• Registered Nurse (associate degree, avg. salary $70,000)
• Dental Hygienist (associate degree, avg. salary $80,000)
• X-Ray or Ultrasound Technician (associate degree, avg. salary $60,000)

Interested in a job in education? Because students spend years within a school, they deeply understand the role of a teacher and the impact someone can have when they work with children. Though there is an incredible teacher shortage and many benefits to that profession, students might consider what elements of this work they find most appealing and spend time exploring other roles that work with children, too. Some students might prefer a career where they can spend time one-on-one building relationships with various students and others might prefer caring for students in more direct and intensive ways than what classroom teachers can do in their role. Students might consider:

• Speech Pathologist (advanced degree, avg. salary $90,000)
• Occupational Therapist (advanced degree, avg. salary $95,000)
• Librarian (advanced degree, avg. salary $70,000)
• Pediatric Nurse (associate degree, avg. salary $70,000)
• Social Worker (bachelor’s degree, avg. salary $79,000)

Interested in the arts? Many students who love creating, drawing, or designing are often relegated to think about art as being only a hobby as they grow into adulthood. However, for students passionate about art or who flourish when they are able to use their more creative talents, there are career pathways that allow them to use these artistic elements while also having a more structured role with benefits and a stable income stream. Students might consider: 

• Museum Curator (advanced degree, avg. salary $70,000)
• Marketing Manager (at a performing arts center) (bachelor’s degree, average salary $115,000) 
• Interior Designer (bachelor’s degree, avg. salary $50,000)
• Graphic Designer (bachelor’s degree, avg. salary $50,000)
• Photojournalist (typically a bachelor’s degree, avg. salary $45,000)

Interested in a job that is not constrained to the 9-5 traditional working hours? Sitting at a desk for eight hours each day is not ideal for many individuals. Whether needing more active movement throughout the day or preferring to work during the afternoon or evening hours, many people thrive in a more nontraditional working environment. There are a variety of careers that allow for a work dynamic and schedule that break out of the 9-5 mold. Students might consider: 

• Physical Therapist (advanced degree, avg. salary $95,000)
• Mental Health Therapist (advanced degree, avg. salary $60,000)
• Esthetician (licensed program, avg. salary $40,000)
• Firefighter (licensed program, avg. salary $55,000)
• Flight Attendant (training course, avg. salary $84,000)

Finding Fit and Fulfillment 

This exercise of considering the different elements of a particular role or why a field is appealing to a student can be a productive foundation for career exploration. Extending this to identify other career pathways that might better align with a student’s overall ambitions, preferences, and academic aspirations can lead to a much better fit and overall, a more fulfilling life for each student. 

Beyond this list, counselors might have students consider careers that allow for travel or ones that include time spent outdoors. And, if students are then able to connect with actual professionals in those careers to ask questions, glean more insights, or even hear the drawbacks, they are able to go forward with a nuanced understanding of what is required and what their day-to-day life might look like in a particular role. CCR platforms like SchooLinks make this process able to be much more personalized to the individual student across a school or district and include professions well beyond what any one person is familiar with–ensuring that no student is limited in what they see as possible.