As the 2023-2024 school year comes to a close, all seniors get asked the same question, “what’s next?” For some, this is an easy answer that they have known for months or maybe even years at this point. For most students, this is the time to really sit down and decide what they want to do after high school ends. 

Each student’s idea of life after high school looks different from another’s. Some will choose to move away and begin college, others will stay and attend local universities, some students will jump into a trade, while others will immediately begin working a job. There are so many options and decisions to make, but there is no correct answer to the question of “what’s next?” 

The most popular option for students is to attend college or university. As their education journey has progressed, teachers have emphasized the importance of a college degree for many fields. Students like senior Hannah Murray are going to be attending Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona, Florida. Murray says, “I have chosen to attend college to earn a degree in Aerospace Engineering in hopes to advance my future career.” 

Continuing education is not the only option though, and for some students, it is not the best option. Many students have trouble learning in a typical education setting and are choosing to go straight into the workforce. Other students may choose to go straight into work due to family circumstances. Senior Hunter Ridgeway will begin working right after he graduates, saying, “I have turned down a full-ride golf scholarship to Governors State University, because I want to stay and build houses with my dad. My dad has built houses all his life, and I plan on continuing to learn how to follow in his footsteps.” 

Finally, other seniors may take the opportunity to go to trade school or go into an apprenticeship program. This is a great option for students who do not want a typical post-high school education but need to go to some schooling to be the best they can be in their future endeavors. Trades are typically very hands-on work, and they have been in very high demand in recent years. 

Senior Drake Bundren is planning on, “working for a local plumbing company where I am going to be in a 4 year apprenticeship very soon. And after I get certified as a plumber, hopefully later on when I plan on moving, I will try to pursue welding and hopefully get into an apprenticeship program in that trade.”

Bundren says that he chose a trade over school because, “Well, for starters I am not much of a school person. I feel like school is a lot more stressful and it costs a lot of money. So I figured going into trades would be easier where I could learn and make money simultaneously.” 

Deciding on what you are going to do for the rest of your life is no easy task. Seniors all across the country are making these decisions, and while no person’s path looks the same, it is comforting to know that everyone has to make a decision.