explore careers: middle & high school
What Level of Education Will I Need?
Different careers require different levels of education. Here are some common paths you can take after high school to get the education you'll need for your chosen career:
Traditional 4-Year University: Usually offer advanced degrees (Master's, Ph.D.), 4-year degrees (Bachelor's), 2-year degrees (Associate), and certificates.
Traditional 2-Year College: Commonly offer 2-year degrees (Associate) and certificates. Most traditional 2-year colleges also offer a limited number of 4-year degrees (Bachelor's).
Explore Florida's 17 Career Clusters
Which careers are best for me?
Take this fun activity to explore your strengths and interests and find out which career paths might be the perfect fit for you. The results might surprise you!
Explore your interests now!
Next Steps: Where do I go from here?
Taking our fun activity to discover careers that match your interests is just the beginning! Here are more great tips and free resources that will help you land your dream career.
There are a lot of career tools online to choose from. Here are some great ones to try out:
- Xello — A free career planning tool for K-12 students in Florida.
- My Next Move – From the U.S. Department of Labor. Explore careers by keyword, industry, or interest.
- American Graduate, Getting to Work Initiative – Works with community partners to create a space for students and parents to learn about college and career resources.
If you’re looking for in-person help with your career questions and advice about the next steps to take:
- Make an appointment with your school counselor, academic advisor, or local career counselor.
- If you’re a college student, check out your campus’s career center.
- Contact career assistance organizations, such as CareerSource Florida.
One of the best ways to learn about a career is to talk to someone who has experience working in that field. Here are some effective ways to do that:
- Job shadowing
- Career fairs
- Internships
- Mentorship
- Informational interviewing
“Job boards” are online platforms where employers post job openings. Even if you’re not looking for a job or ready to begin a career right now, they’re still a great place to learn which jobs and careers are in demand, and what skills and experience you’ll need. Here are some good ones…
- Employ Florida and MyFlorida – Websites that list private sector and state government jobs within Florida.
- National websites such as Indeed and Monster that help you find jobs, post your resume, and get career advice.
FloridaShines has tons of helpful resources to help you prepare for college, earn your degree, and put you on a path toward career success! Here are a few FloridaShines tools that will help you find the college, program, and degree you’re looking for:
- College & university profiles – Detailed info about all public colleges and universities in Florida so you can find the one that fits you the best!
- Degree and certificate programs – An easy-to-use database of all degree and certificate programs offered by public colleges and universities statewide.
If traditional college isn’t for you, getting hands-on training at one of Florida’s technical colleges or centers is a great way to fast-track your way to a great career! Learn more about career & technical training with these resources:
- Profiles of technical colleges & centers – Detailed info about each of Florida’s 47 technical colleges.
- CTE Admissions Checklist – A step-by-step guide to selecting and applying to a career & technical education program near you.
- Get There: Florida’s Workforce Education Initiative – A website from the state of Florida packed with helpful information about career & technical education.
- Watch this 30-second video to see if career & technical education is right for you:
