For students drawn to hands-on careers: the high school classes to take, certifications students often earn before graduation, where the path leads, and what to do this year.
Why this path is worth a look
Many trades and technical careers are in demand, pay while you train through apprenticeships, and can lead to owning a business.
Career and technical education (CTE) classes in high school count toward graduation and can include industry certifications.
Every one of these paths keeps college open: community colleges offer degrees in most technical fields, and some programs give college credit for certifications.
Certifications, ages and licensing rules vary by state, school and employer. Check with your school's CTE coordinator and the certifying organization.
Want help with this part? Our Career and Technical Pathway Plan maps the CTE classes, certifications and apprenticeship or program applications from now to graduation, without closing the door on college.
This tool is general information, not legal, tax or financial advice. Each college decides admission, aid and how credit counts, and requirements change; check each college's own pages. Examples are examples, not promises. Caveat Academic Services is an independent college preparation company. Students do all of their own work.