Career Planning for Your Homeschooled High School Students
Career Planning 101: 11 Practical Tips for Homeschool High School Students
At Timberdoodle, we’re all about preparing your child for a successful and meaningful future. Planning a career path can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Whether your teen’s next step is college, entrepreneurship, or jumping into the workforce, these 11 tips will help guide you through the process to make the most of your homeschool high school years.
1. A GED Isn’t the Worst Case
In our family, a GED—not a diploma—has defined graduation. While many people associate GEDs with dropping out, we see it differently. From an employer’s perspective, a diploma merely shows that a student spent time in a classroom. However, a GED demonstrates basic proficiencies in math, reading, and writing—skills some high school graduates are sadly missing.
If a GED works for your family, don’t be afraid to consider it. It’s the skills and knowledge your child gains that matter most.
2. Be Intentional About College
College is a considerable investment and is not always the right path. Many of the millions of students currently in college are wasting time and money pursuing degrees he doesn’t need.
Make a clear plan to pursue a degree if your child’s chosen career requires it. But if college isn’t essential for his goals, it’s worth asking: Is this the best use of his time and resources?
3. Embrace On-the-Job Training
Real-world experience is invaluable. In our family business, the next generation started young—carrying boxes, organizing inventory, and eventually taking on more complex roles. These years of hands-on learning developed skills that book learning could not.
Encourage your child to seek out opportunities to work and learn simultaneously. The skills he gains will prepare him for future opportunities and could even provide financial stability later in life.
4. Encourage Entrepreneurship
Entrepreneurship is one of the best ways to learn responsibility and problem-solving. As children, we pooled earnings to run a small farm. Although we didn’t turn a profit, the lessons we learned—managing costs, handling unexpected challenges, and working hard—were invaluable.
Whether your child wants to repair computers, start a lawncare business, or launch a creative side hustle, encourage him to invest his time and talents. The experience will serve your teen for a lifetime, whether his business venture succeeds or fails.
5. Plan Early
Every career path has unique requirements: an SAT score, a portfolio, a résumé, or specialized certifications. Research your child’s field of interest early to ensure he’s prepared.
- Talk to professionals in the industry.
- Meet with college and business advisors.
- Read books, blogs, or magazines related to the field.
- Ask successful people how they got to where they are.
Take notes, sketch out a plan, and get to work.
6. Balance Planning with Action
While planning is essential, don’t get stuck in “analysis paralysis.” Some people spend so much time planning that they never take action, while others waste time on unnecessary steps they could have avoided with better research.
Encourage your teen to plan thoughtfully but then move forward. It’s easier to adjust a plan in motion than to start from a standstill.
7. Focus on Strengths
Help your teen identify his strengths and weaknesses. A career that aligns with his skills will be far more sustainable than one that constantly feels like an uphill battle. Encourage your child to pursue work that suits his natural abilities and interests.
8. Volunteer to Explore Interests
Volunteering is a fantastic way to develop skills, serve others, and test career paths. Future chefs can help at a soup kitchen, while teens with an eye for organization might assist a local nonprofit.
Our family has enjoyed volunteering at community hospitals and fire departments, where we’ve learned more about different fields and gained real-world insights. If your teen isn’t sure about a career path, assign volunteering as part of his schoolwork. It’s a hands-on way to prepare for the future.
9. Keep the Big Picture in Mind
Career planning isn’t just about money. While financial stability is essential, life is about more than a paycheck.
Help your child think beyond income and consider the following:
- Does this career align with his gifts and purpose?
- Does it allow him to serve others and make a meaningful impact?
- Will the work leave him feeling joyful?
Encourage him to choose a path that suits his talents and passions while contributing to the world around him.
10. Map Out Your Life
Before choosing a career, think through the life your child wants. Does he dream of living in a bustling city, working on a farm, or traveling the world? Does he want a job that keeps him near family or flexes to fit other commitments? Then get practical:
- What does that life cost?
- How many hours will he need to work to sustain it?
- Will his dream job allow him to live the life he envisions?
Make sure his career choice aligns with his long-term goals and lifestyle desires.
11. Take the First Step
Encourage your child to stop overthinking and start doing. Whether taking a part-time job, launching a small business, or volunteering, the experience will teach him far more than sitting at home pondering his options. He might not find the perfect fit on his first attempt, but the experience will shape his skills, interests, and future choices.
Reflections: Facts to Shape Your High School Years
These prompts can help your teen plan for his future:
- My Strengths:
- Career Choices or Options:
- Friends to Ask About These Career Options:
- Colleges or Workplaces to Research Requirements:
- Business Opportunities:
- Local Volunteer Needs/Ideas:
- Things That Are Most Important to Me:
- Cost of Living in My Area (or Desired Area):
- Short-Term Job Opportunities:
At Timberdoodle, we believe every homeschool journey is unique. By encouraging your teen to explore his talents, plan intentionally, and take meaningful action, you’ll set him up for a future filled with purpose and success!