Spring is right around the corner. It is a season of rebirth and new beginnings. The weeks leading up to it, though, are very busy for our high school students as they evaluate where they are and where they want to go. While continuing their coursework, they look ahead to planning for next year’s classes, preparing for standardized exams, wrapping up winter activities and beginning practice for spring activities.
It is a stressful time, yet, a great opportunity for students to think about and plan for what they’d like their future to look like. When considering their class schedule for the following school year, they can choose ones that support their interests and passions. Of course, there are the core classes they have to take in order to graduate. Though, they can choose from others that will give them an insight to the skills needed to make their passion a profession. In some cases, after taking a certain class, they may determine that they don’t want to pursue that passion as a profession, and that is OK, too.
When evaluating their future for high school and beyond, it is important for the students to set goals and make a plan for themselves. As I’ve been told multiple times throughout my life, a goal without a plan is just a wish. Plan for the long-term goal with short-term goals set along the way in order to achieve the end goal.
The high school counselors and administrators provide the students with valuable learning opportunities to help plan for those goals including job shadowing, career fairs, internships and conversations with professionals. These allow for direct exposure to professionals in their field of interest.
As our students think ahead for their new beginnings, a plan coupled with some real life experiences will assist them in their journey to a fulfilling career and life.
– Doug Baker, Assistant Principal at Excelsior Springs High School
*This article was submitted to the Excelsior Citizen by our community partner, Excelsior Springs School District #40
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