High school is the place where students learn about many different career paths in life. That way, when graduation rolls around, students know who or where they want to be. Seniors are the ones underclassmen look up to, due to their high confidence and seemingly clear understanding of how the future will work. The seniors truly stand out.
Although it’s never guaranteed to know exactly what one may do, getting a small glimpse or goal is always a plus. Opening one’s eyes to different paths can guarantee that glimpse, but an open mind will help students get there.
“I honestly had no idea what I wanted to be or do when I started high school, but I found this junior firefighter program at Station 12 with Campbell Fire Rescue that I’ve been a part of since between my freshman and sophomore year,” Caleb Hudson (12) said.
It’s common to be unsure about what one wants to do, especially at the very beginning of their high school journey. Giving the different paths some thought and time will help. There’s no need to rush such an important part of life.
Though a career path may be a challenge to find, there are often influences who guide the way for students as future members of the workforce. Those people could be colleagues, parents or friends, but for many, they are teachers.
“I really love photography and all things like that, Ms. Beiting taught me a lot, and helped me be able to figure out all things within photography. I’ve loved it since,” Lacey Grassette (12) said.
The teachers who lead, instruct and guide are those who, unknowingly, are painting the outline for the futures of the students before them. Though not every student will have a guiding light, or helping hand. The process to find the path after high school is a long, complicated, and even slightly scary process.
“I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to do when I started high school, I started thinking of this fire stuff from sophomore year,” Hudson (12) said.
There will be a struggle in every student’s high school life, a roadblock where the future is nothing but a blur, but with time, things will fall into place. The stars will align, the puzzle will piece together.
“I was lacking motivation and getting my work in on time, which then altered my perspective and I realized that I have to do everything necessary to get to my goals,” Grassette (12) said.
High school proves a portion of the challenge of the real world, yet getting stuck in that place of challenge is a dangerous game no one would choose to play.
“I would get caught up trying to get my grades up even when I felt it would fall apart, I thought that I could leave school and work directly with firefighting, but they still need a high school diploma. I knew I had to work hard, so I set my focus and started working,” Hudson (12) said.
The truth is, everything will work out with time and hard work. The growth that comes from getting through the high school twists and turns will shape the way one’s future will play out.
“I didn’t really want to go to college freshman year, I was just barely going to school as it is, but things changed and now I want to go to college and be successful and go far in life,” Grassette (12) said.
Exploration was a true helping hand in Grassette’s (12) journey to find her after high school start. She has decided to go college at a point in her future, continuing to carry out the passion she found at Highlands.
“I’m in the fire science department at the ATC (Area of Technology Center) which has helped me discover my want to become a firefighter,” Hudson (12) said.
Through Highlands High School, there is a program for students to get the chance to attend the Area of Technology Center at Campbell County High School. This center offers students the opportunity to get hands-on experience in different career paths, these paths are automotive technology, auto body repair, health science/pre-nursing, welding, fire science and EMT, electrical technology and HVAC.
Hudson (12) gained the knowledge of this program and took a chance, then realizing it was an amazing choice.
“If I get accepted, I will be going to Colerains fire recruit class. My grandpa was in the class a while back and I found it interesting. I feel prepared but not entirely. I plan to stay with my parents at least through my probationary year as a firefighter… I’ve always had a calling to do something along the lines of police, fire, military,” Hudson (12) said.
A goal found from those before us is always a special kind of calling. Hudson (12) will continue his firefighter career once accepted into the Colerain’s fire recruit class, though worried about what’s ahead, his head is held high knowing that this is his goal.
Knowing exactly what one wants to do after high school is something that doesn’t come easy. However, once paths are explored, experiences have been made, and choices have been looked through, it becomes a little clearer.
