not just making plans but aligning them with purpose & wisdom

Navigating Your Career Journey

A Guide for Teens

🔑 Start with Your Working Genius

Thinking about your future can feel exciting—and a little overwhelming. The best place to start is by identifying your Working Genius. These natural strengths show you how you think, create, and contribute. Knowing your Genius can help you spot careers and environments where you’ll thrive.

For example, someone with Wonder + Galvanizing loves asking big questions and rallying others to take action, while another with Enablement + Tenacity thrives in supportive, results-driven roles. When you understand your Genius, you can look at career paths through the lens of who you are, not just what you “should” do.

🧭 Route Exploration

There’s no single “right way” to build a career after high school. Your Working Genius can guide you toward paths that fit your natural strengths, but the truth is, there are many ways to get started. Some students thrive by earning certifications and jumping straight into the workforce, while others prefer college, entrepreneurship, or learning through experience. The routes below highlight different options you can mix, match, or move between as you grow.

RouteDescription
Certs + WorkStack certifications with hands-on jobs to build a powerful résumé.
CollegeEarn a college degree to enter a a career that requires it. Think teachers, school administrators, doctors, lawyers, registered nurses, etc. Take advantage of dual enrollment to save time and money on your degree.
EntrepreneurshipStart small — learn business by doing.
InternshipBegin on-the-job, paid training typically in tech, manufacturing, and skilled trades.
Organic RouteStart in a job or field of interest and gradually shape it into something you love.
Two-Job RouteWork for money to live on while exploring your passion on the side. Build a portfolio of work you’re perfecting on the side.

📝 How Do I Get Started?

To help you narrow down a career path that fits you, start at the end—by exploring job postings that align with your interests, values, and any personal constraints. Remember, this doesn’t have to be your forever career. Most people explore one path and later pivot—sometimes more than once—as they grow and discover new passions throughout their lives.

  1. Field of Interest: Explore job listings on employment sites like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn. This will give you valuable insight into current industry trends, in-demand roles, and typical job requirements. Your field of interest can be broad and shaped by specific preferences or constraints—such as minimum salary, location (including hybrid or remote options), desired shift, education level, or industry focus.
  2. Qualifications and Salaries: Compile a list of qualifications required for positions that appeal to you. Additionally, research salary ranges to set realistic expectations for your future earnings. Utilize Glassdoor, Salary.com, or Salary Transparent Street to determine salary ranges if necessary.
  3. Education and Certifications: If education or certifications are prerequisites, diligently search for the most cost-effective and efficient ways to acquire them, considering online courses or local programs.
  4. Job Experience: Look for entry-level positions in your field of interest to start building valuable hands-on experience. Job search platforms like Indeed, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn are great tools for discovering opportunities that can launch your career. Even better, identify companies you admire and explore the career sections of their websites—many organizations post openings there first, and it shows initiative when you seek them out directly.
  5. Networking: Connect with professionals in your field by scheduling conversations with those already working in the industry. Their insights can guide you in making informed decisions about your career path.
  6. Career Path Planning: Begin charting your career path by researching the costs associated with required education and certifications. Create a roadmap that outlines the steps needed to achieve your goals. Use resources at Ohio Means Jobs.
  7. Financial Aid: Explore scholarship and grant opportunities to alleviate the financial burden. Many organizations offer financial assistance to support individuals pursuing education and career development.
  8. Budgeting for Loans: If student loans become necessary, identify entry-level jobs in your area that provide sufficient income to cover loan payments. Aim for positions that ideally allow you to repay loans within five years post-education. Watching the documentary, Borrowed Future, may assist in gaining insights into loan specifics, ensuring you fully understand the implications and repayment expectations.
  9. Consult with Professionals: Before committing to student loans, engage in meaningful conversations with two or more individuals currently working in your chosen field. Ask them about their career path, what they enjoy, the challenges they face, and how their education has (or hasn’t) contributed to their success. Hearing real-world experiences will give you a clearer sense of whether the potential debt is worth it. Remember: loans can follow you for years, and unlike many other forms of debt, student loans are extremely difficult—often impossible—to discharge through bankruptcy. Avoid borrowing money until you’ve spoken with professionals who can help you understand the return on investment for that degree.

By following these steps, you can strategically prepare for your future career, making informed decisions that align with your goals and aspirations.

🔁 Learn from the Experience of Others

My own career path has taken me through multiple industries, earning a degree as a stay-at-home mom, and later re-entering the workforce. For a long time, I saw this winding path as unusual—until I identified my Working Geniuses: Wonder and Galvanizing. I realized that curiosity, idea-generation, and rallying others were consistent threads in everything I’d done. That self-knowledge reframed my background from “scattered” to “strength-based.”

To any teens just beginning their own career path: know that it’s okay not to have all the answers right away. Your journey doesn’t have to follow a straight line to be meaningful or successful. Explore different interests, take chances, and pay attention to what energizes you. The things that make you different may just be your greatest strengths. Embrace the twists and turns—they are often where the most growth and self-discovery happen. Your path is uniquely yours, and it’s full of possibility.

🌟 Final Takeaway

You don’t need to have it all figured out right now. Your path may twist and turn, and that’s okay. Start by understanding your Working Genius—your natural energy zone. Use that as a guide to explore routes that fit your strengths, experiment with opportunities, and notice what energizes you. The things that make you different may become your greatest assets. Your future isn’t one-size-fits-all—it’s uniquely yours, and it’s full of possibility.

💡Helpful Resources