How to Begin Your Professional Life Right After High School

How to Begin Your Professional Life Right After High School

From Ben Allen

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You may wonder what to do next if you're a high school student or a recent graduate. You've invested much time and effort into your high school studies, so now, it's time to think about the future.

For the next step, going to college is seen as desirable by many. Attending college is a great way to improve your education and jumpstart your career. Nonetheless, it shouldn't be the sole option for many students.

If you're not ready for college or don't want to spend more time studying, this article can help you build skills and gain experience.

Tips for Building a Career After High School

In high school, it may seem as though the rest of your life is still in front of you. You are given various choices, and slight pressure is placed on you to decide. After graduating high school, though, making a decision is considerably more apparent: What comes next?

If you are considering pursuing a professional career after high school, the following five steps can help you succeed.

1. Choose the type of professional career that you wish to pursue. Ask yourself a few questions regarding your interests and skills. What do you enjoy doing? What do you think you are particularly good at doing?  Before deciding on a career path, carefully consider asking these questions to yourself.

2. Research other careers online or in your library. After narrowing down some things that interest you, research more about them online or read books at your local library. Talk to instructors and guidance counselors who work with high school students since they have experience in helping students choose their careers.

3. Find a company that will enable you to make progress in your chosen profession. If you're having problems selecting what type of work environment best suits you, look for companies that provide various promotion and career advancement paths. This might help you assess if your interests and skills are fit for the role.

4. If you have decided to enroll in a vocational training school instead of college, you must take the required coursework, pass the certification exam, and become certified.

Why Becoming a CNA is a Great Career Option After High School

"CNA" means Certified Nursing Assistant. They completed training and passed the certification test. Earning this accreditation requires education and experience.

CNA certification is an entry-level credential that shows you have the fundamental abilities and knowledge to work in this field.

Many high school graduates are exploring post-secondary careers, and becoming certified nursing assistants is on the rise (CNA). Certified nursing assistants are expected to expand by 5% between 2021 and 2031, making it one of the fastest-growing US occupations.

Medical clinics, nursing homes, and private practices hire CNAs. They can further advance their professions by becoming practical or vocational nurses. A CNA certification allows them to work in more advanced roles where they might need to provide additional care to patients or assist them with medical procedures like taking blood pressure readings and giving injections.

What You Need to Know About Becoming a CNA

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a valuable nursing team member. CNAs care for patients with various physical and mental illnesses under the supervision of a registered nurse and other healthcare professionals.

The CNA certification process, from preparation to passing the exam, might take many months, but it can be worthwhile. Getting a CNA certification can serve as an opportunity for you to start a career in private or public healthcare services.

If you're ready to start your career as a CNA, here are what you need to do:

These programs typically last for 4 to 16 weeks and include classroom instruction and hands-on experience. The curriculum covers patient assessment, communication skills, medication administration, and disease prevention. 

Aspiring CNAs may also learn about other aspects of nursing care, such as common illnesses, basic anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, CPR, and infection control procedures. 

The CNA exam is a multiple-choice test that measures your knowledge and ability to become a nursing assistant. The exam consists of 60 questions; and you have 2 hours to finish it.

To prepare for the CNA exam, you should:

Study the lessons contained in the state-approved textbook. The exam is based on this material, so it's essential to go over it thoroughly.

You can also take a free CNA practice test to determine whether you are ready to take the actual exam or not. These can also help you give an idea what types of questions will be asked on the CNA exam and help you determine which areas you need to focus more. Try to take a CNA practice test with answers on the Internet, so you can check the questions that you answered correctly.

The exam covers patient care, anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology knowledge. The exam usually consists of multiple-choice questions. You must score 70% or higher on the exam to pass and receive your certification as a CNA.

Volunteer at a senior living community or geriatric care facility. These facilities will allow you to see CNAs who are assisting patients with their daily tasks, including bathing, dressing, and feeding. You can also ask them about what it takes to become a CNA and obtain insight into the certification application process.

You can also engage in the hospitals' internship programs, which provide students with hands-on experience by working alongside CNA-certified staff members.

Employment opportunities for CNAs exist at nursing homes, hospitals, retirement villages, and assisted living complexes. Apply directly on the job posting websites or through an agency that hires certified nursing assistants who can work in these facilities.

Wrapping Up

The idea that a four-year university degree is necessary to achieve professional success is widely held yet untrue. The truth is that there are many ways to build a career after high school.

A high school diploma is a minimum requirement for anyone who wants to enter the workforce. Several jobs require just a high school diploma and a certification. 

If you're thinking about entering the workforce after high school, becoming a CNA is a great career to have. It's a career for young people looking to enter the medical field and receive good pay and benefits.

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