5 Things Teens Can Do Now to Be Career-Ready After High School

High school goes by fast, and before you know it, your teen will be filling out job applications or stepping into their first real interview. Whether they plan to head straight into the workforce, attend college, or explore a trade, one thing’s for sure: career readiness starts now.

Here are 5 practical ways teens can prepare for the future while still in high school:

1. Build a Resume—Even Without Job Experience

Your teen doesn’t need a long work history to create a great first resume. Volunteering, school clubs, sports, and leadership roles all count! Encourage them to keep track of their experiences and create a clean, professional resume using a simple template. It’s a skill they’ll need again and again.

2. Practice Professional Communication

Knowing how to write a clear email or send a respectful message to a potential employer is a huge life skill. Teens should practice writing subject lines, greeting professionally, and proofreading before they hit send. Texting habits don’t always translate well to the workplace!

3. Learn How Interviews Work

Interviews can feel intimidating, especially if it’s a teen’s first time. Help them prepare by role-playing common interview questions, talking about body language, and practicing how to speak about their strengths, goals, and experiences with confidence.

4. Explore Career Interests Early

It’s okay not to know “what you want to be,” but teens should be encouraged to explore. Job shadowing, informational interviews, part-time jobs, or even online research can help them discover what they like (and don’t like). This curiosity can spark direction and reduce anxiety about the future.

5. Understand What Employers Value

Punctuality, a good attitude, problem-solving, and willingness to learn—these “soft skills” are often more important than experience. Encourage your teen to build strong habits now so they’ll stand out in any job, internship, or volunteer role.

✅ Final Thoughts

Career readiness isn’t just about choosing a job—it’s about gaining confidence, developing skills, and learning how to show up in the world. At Next Level Academy, we make sure teens are equipped with the tools they need to launch into life—not just college or work.

Interested in helping your teen get career-ready?
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