Project Next Blog

Learn strategies to balance school, work, and extracurriculars, stay productive, and avoid burnout. Tips for students from Project Next.

Explore the best part-time jobs for high school students. Learn which roles build skills, responsibility, and income while balancing school commitments.

Learn how high school students can write a cover letter that impresses employers, highlights strengths, and boosts first job applications.

Project Next students visited ASML for a hands-on Career Expedition that sparked inspiration and confidence in their futures.

Project Next brought 66 San Diego students to BizCon 2025, where they explored careers, met entrepreneurs, and built confidence for their future.

Opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math for High School Students

Insights to Help High School Students Stand Out in Today’s Job Market 

Why Communication, Teamwork, and Problem-Solving Matter: And How High School Students Can Start Building Them Now

A Guide for High School Students Ready to Discover Their Future Path When someone asks, “What do you want to be when you grow up?”, it can feel like a lot of pressure, especially if you're in high school and unsure of what comes next. Choosing a career may seem like a huge, once-in-a-lifetime decision, but the truth is, it’s a journey of discovery that starts with one simple step: understanding yourself. The good news? You don’t have to have it all figured out. With the right tools and strategies, you can start identifying your interests, values, and strengths, and how they align with different career paths. Let’s dive into how you can begin finding your passion and choosing a career that fits you. Why Finding the Right Career Matters A career isn’t just a way to earn money—it’s a big part of your life. Choosing a path that fits your personality, interests, and strengths can help you: ✅ Feel more motivated and fulfilled ✅ Use your talents in meaningful ways ✅ Set realistic goals for your education or training ✅ Avoid wasting time or money on the wrong path Your goal shouldn’t be to pick a “perfect” job. It should be to explore options that align with who you are. Step 1: Know Yourself – Start With Self-Assessment To choose a career that fits you, it helps to understand your: Interests (What do you enjoy doing?) Skills (What are you naturally good at?) Values (What matters most to you in a job?) Personality (How do you prefer to work and interact with others?) Try These Free Self-Assessment Tools: O*NET Interest Profiler – My Next Move Helps you find careers based on your interests. 16Personalities Test – 16Personalities.com Discover your personality type and how it might relate to different job environments. CareerOneStop Skills Matcher – careeronestop.org Matches your skills with real-world jobs. Holland Code Quiz – Based on the RIASEC model, this quiz categorizes you into six career types (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, Conventional) to suggest job options that fit your personality. Tip: Take multiple quizzes and look for patterns in your results. Are you drawn to creative work? Do you love helping people? Do you enjoy solving problems? These are clues to your ideal career path.