Career Pathways

Some students go straight to work after high school - it’s the end of schooling and the start of finding a career. People who go straight into the workplace usually do not have formal credentials beyond a high school diploma (although some do choose to pursue further education, later in their career).

Finding a Job

An important step to finding a job is knowing where to look. If you have specific companies in mind that you’d like to work for, you can go to their respective websites to search and apply for any open positions that interest you.

Another way to search online is via career search websites such as Indeed.com, Ziprecruiter.com, or Monster.com (to name a few). The nice thing about job-focused websites is you can use search terms and filters to drill down to open jobs that fit your specific criteria. There are also federal, state, and city government-run job websites available for you to access.

You might also find a job by attending local job fairs or networking with friends and family members. As the saying goes, “it’s not what you know, but who you know.”

Other job search options include attending local job fairs and using your network of friends, family, and acquaintances to find job opportunities.

Polish Your Resume

Your resume is a summary of your education, experience, and skills. This important document is your first impression to hiring managers. Having a polished and updated resume can help you stand out from the crowd, and hopefully get you to the front of the line for an interview. Use the resources on our resume page to create a resume or to improve on one you already have.  

Some jobs might also require a cover letter, so you might want to write one you can use for applications. Sometimes a resume isn’t enough to tell your whole story. With a cover letter, you can be a little more detailed and provide additional information about your skills and experience.

Some students enlist in one of these military branches after high school: Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, or Space Force.  Every branch of the military sets its own standards for enlisting. The military has many missions. Their primary mission, of course, is to defend the U.S. and its interests.  The military is also the nation's biggest group of international ambassadors. 

Join the Military

Explore your options at: 10 Steps to Joining the Military (an article by Military.com).

Consider taking the ASVAB test. The ASVAB: The ASVAB is a timed, multi-aptitude test, developed and maintained by the Defense Department (DoD). This test is given at Liberty once a year in October, usually on the same date as the PSAT. Check the College and Career Events Calendar for the exact date or contact the Liberty Graduation Specialist for more details.

Military Branches:

• US Air Force 

• US Space Force

• US Coast Guard

• US Navy

• US Marines

• US Army

• US Army National Guard

• US Merchant Marines

Military Service Academies

The United States has five military service academies.  Entrance to these schools is highly competitive. Applicants for every academy but the Coast Guard’s need a nomination from the vice president or a member of Congress. Students attend the service academies for free. In return, they agree to spend the next several years as military officers. A Guide to U.S. Service Academies, Military Colleges, a US News online article, offers a good introduction on this topic. 

Military Academies Websites and FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) pages:

• United States Air Force Academy and Air Force Academy FAQ's

• United States Naval Academy and Naval Academy FAQ's

• United States Coast Guard Academy and Coast Guard Academy's Application Process

• United States Military Academy, West Point  and West Point FAQ's

• United States Merchant Marine Academy and Merchant Marine Academy Admissions Information

Selective Service Registration

All men must register with Selective Service when they turn 18. By registering on time, men stay eligible for opportunities like student loans, job training, government employment and U.S. citizenship for male immigrants wishing to become citizens. Register on-line at: Selective Service Registration.

Technical, vocational or certification programs are a great option for students who don't want to go to 4-year college, but do want to pursue a career that requires specific skills. Technical colleges (aka Trade Schools) provide hands-on training for specific jobs in the skilled trades. Programs typically last 6 months to 2 years and offer students the credentials needed to qualify for a job. Technical colleges also might offer associate degrees for some areas of study. 

Unlike universities, which educate students in a range of topics unrelated to their major, technical colleges only require students to take the classes they need to prepare themselves for a specific career. This streamlined process makes technical colleges a preferable option for people who want to get into their career faster. 

Factors to consider

• Admission: No minimum GPA requirement; accepts students who don’t have the standard profile of those who academic schools admit.
• Cost: Much lower costs than two or four-year colleges; shorter programs; no housing cost.
• Lifestyle: Minimal lifestyle changes; students typically live away from campus and commute to school.
• Campus size: Typically smaller than four-year colleges, with smaller campuses and class sizes.
• Career guidance: More focus on career advice; instructors have connections in the fields in which they teach.

Find Trade School programs

Trade schools (also called technical colleges, community colleges, vocational colleges) in Washington provide residents with affordable programs in a wide range of popular job fields in the Pacific Northwest. Certification and degree courses are available in everything from high technology to healthcare and business, with most schools offering a combination of online courses and campus-based training to accommodate the busy, modern student. 

Find public and private trade schools:

  Washington Career Bridge Find Education Search

Apprenticeship is an option for students who want to go straight to work after high school, but desire a career that requires specific skills. An apprenticeship combines on-the-job training with related classroom instruction, all under the supervision of a journey-level professional. Apprentices get paid while they learn and develop knowledge, skills, and abilities in a new career field.  

Often, starting an apprenticeship is similar to getting a job. You have to decide on a program you’re interested in, apply for the apprenticeship, interview with the program staff, and be accepted into the program. After completing a registered apprenticeship program, apprentices receive a professional credential that is recognized nationwide.

Apprenticeship Preparation

Apprenticeship preparation programs help you find and prepare for registered apprenticeship opportunities. Each recognized program has working relationships with one or more registered apprenticeship program sponsors. 

See this list of Apprenticeship Preparation Programs provided by the Washington State Department of Labor and Industries.

Apprenticeship Programs

Registered apprenticeships are available in hundreds of occupations in many different fields of work. Some apprenticeships are in traditional trades, such as plumbers and ironworkers, but many are offered in less traditional areas, including high-tech and the medical sector.

Find an Apprenticeship in Washington State:

Apprenticeship Registration Tracking System (ARTS)

Recommended Resources:

• A Parent's Guide to Apprenticeship A Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) guide

• Become an Apprentice WA state Dept of Labor & Industries site, full of good apprenticeship info

• How to become an apprentice One page flyer by WSAC's 12th Year Campaign

• Job Corps Offers on-the-job experience in 10 different industries to get you workforce-ready

• Apprenticeships vs Trade Schools Indeed.com Article

When students graduate high school, many decide to continue their education at a 2 or 4-year college. 

Associate's Degree (2-Year)

Community colleges offer programs where students can earn an associate degree in two years.  After earning an associate degree at a two-year college, many students choose to enter the workforce, but some choose to continue their education at a four-year college. There are different types of degrees for each scenario. 

Professional-technical certificates and degrees

These certificates and associate degrees train students for specific fields so they can go straight to work. They do not transfer to four-year universities.

• Professional-Technical Certificates

• Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS)

• Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS-T) Note: These only transfer to applied baccalaureate degrees at community or technical colleges or with universities that have an agreement with the community or technical college issuing the degree. Do not confuse this degree with the transfer degrees described below. 

Transfer degrees

These associate degrees let you begin work on your bachelor's degree and then transfer to a four-year university.

• Associate in Arts Direct Transfer Agreement (AA-DTA or AAS-DTA)

• Associate in Science-Transfer Degree (AS-T)

• Major Related Program (MRP or DTA/MRP)

Factors to consider

• Admission: No minimum GPA requirement; Higher acceptance rate than 4-year colleges

• Cost: Typically have much lower costs than four-year colleges; shorter programs; no housing cost

• Lifestyle: Minimal lifestyle changes; students typically live away from campus and commute to school

• Campus size: Typically smaller than four-year colleges, with smaller campuses and class sizes

Professional, Master's and Doctoral Degrees

After earning a bachelor's Degree, you can choose to continue your education by pursuing a professional or graduate degree. 

A professional degree is a degree that prepares students for a specific career. Some examples of professional degrees include Juris Doctor (JD), Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Education (EdD), and Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD).

A master's degree is usually earned after one or two years of study beyond a bachelor's degree. It can help you develop skills for problem solving and critical thinking, and prepare you for management and leadership roles. Master's degrees are more versatile, with a wider range of applications. 

A doctoral degree, or PhD, can take three to seven years to complete. It can help you develop skills for writing, analytical thinking, and research, and prepare you for a career in research. Doctoral degrees are more specialized than master's degrees. Though the traditional path entails completing a master’s program before embarking on a doctorate, some schools and programs offer options to skip the master’s entirely.

Recommended Resources

• Types of Associate Degrees and Certificates: WA state board for Community and Technical Colleges resource describing the different Transfer and Professional-Technical Certificates and Degrees