photo of a girl receiving her diploma

Career Planning - Determine Your Path after High School

Where Am I Going?

It is important for students to determine their individual strengths and realize their passions. This insight will guide their career choice so they can determine which postsecondary path would be best. Our students have the opportunity to take part in this planning by working on an Academic and Career Plan.  

Find out more about Academic and Career Plans

Step 1: Discover Possibilities

Students can begin by asking:

What are my interests? What do I like to do? What do I aspire to be?

To help answer these questions, FCPS students have access to Naviance Student. This tool helps students discover their interests and learn about career pathways and clusters. Students will be able to view specific job tasks and qualifications. Then, students may view examples of high school Course Plans to meet their career goals.  To get started, there are many self-assessments that students can take! This allows students to reflect on results and explore interests. Students will learn more about themselves and their likes and dislikes, as well careers they may enjoy.

Step 2: Explore Opportunities

Check out career resources:

What are the Career Opportunities? What careers are needed within our society?

Some useful resources include:

  • National Workforce Outlook - Bureau of Labor statistics provide the outlook on jobs and careers, along with earning potential.
  • Local Workforce Outlook - Northern Virginia Labor Market Intelligence provides research on the labor market in the local Northern Virginia area, including forecasts and trends in growing industries, top hiring employers, educational and skill requirements, and average salaries. 

Within Naviance Student, students can explore careers by searching Career Clusters; this is a way of grouping careers with common features and skills. Careers grouped into the same cluster typically require similar education and training. Exploring clusters can be a useful way to find a good career match, especially if you have general areas of interest but are not sure what specific careers match those interests. Career Clusters can also help you better understand how your coursework in school can prepare you for certain types of careers. 
 
Explore RoadTrip Nation:  Here students can begin a journey of self-discovery to help figure out who they are and what they love to do. It is possible to search by interest, theme, and by industry leaders. Check out RoadTrip playlists and online TV through Naviance Student.

Naviance Student provides career pathways and employment outlook for career clusters.

Step 3: Align Possibilities with Opportunities

Make informed decisions for the future:

Now that students have:

  • explored their strengths and interests
  • discovered new possibilities
  • researched college and career opportunities

they are ready to plan for the future and set a path toward a fulfilling life.

Ready, set, go!

Note: The resources found within Naviance Student are supplemental to the services provided by FCPS staff members.

See what Naviance Student is all about.
Learn More about Naviance Student

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