More Feature Articles

January 2010
-Creature-Focused Careers
-Former Members Reflect: Dr. Dwight Armstrong
-Levy Randolph
-Safety on Speed Dial
-Preserving Their Culture
-Off and Away

November 2009
-Former Members Reflect: Emilie Bocker
-Turn That Down!
-Car Smarts
-So Much Cooler Online
-Laila Hajji
-The Water Way
-A Greater Cause

June 2009
-Stretch Your Summer Income
-Riley Branch
-Turn That Down
-Behind-The-Scenes Star

May 2009
-Welcoming Women
-Regina Holliday
-Job Interview Jitters
-So Much Cooler Online
-Questioning Your College Choices? 
-A Can-Do Attitude
-Former Members Reflect: Michele Payn-Knoper

April 2009
-Hannah Crossen
-Cowboy Book With a Cause
-From FFA to 33Miles
-There’s Cash in Your Future
-I’m Angry…Now What?
-For the Love of Landscaping
-Perfect Balance
-Gardening For A Cause

February 2009
-Blue-Ribbon Banjo Player
-FFA as an Art Form
-Wild About Animals
-Nessie Early
-Be a PAL
-Full Throttle
-Living to Serve
-Special Invitation

January 2009
-All About National FFA Week
-Paul Moya
-Justin Floyd
-Partners for the Planet
-Finding Balance
-Swimming in Aquaculture
-Breaking Records
-Take It Slow

December 2008
-National FFA convention to rotate homes

November 2008
-Dr. Al Snyder
-Scholarship Secrets
-Gear Up for National FFA Week
-Kari Boettcher
-Resist Peer Pressure
-Good to the Last Crop
-All Creatures, Great and Small
-Sparking Interest

September 2008
-Agriculture Accuracy
-Crissa Fruechte
-Brady Revels
-Get Up!
-Proceed With Caution
-All in Good Taste
-Clutch Performance
-Step Right Up

July 2008
-Take It to a New Level
-Deep-Rooted Interest
-Take a Deep Breath
-Tyler Tenbarge
-Inspired by FFA
-On the Right Track

May 2008
-In the Vault
-Your Money: Keeping Records
-National Officer Q&A
-We’re All Unique
-Best in Show
-Grab Life by the Reins

March 2008
-Call to Order!
-Reality Check
-Turtle Power
-By the Numbers
-Dale Darling
-A Token of Appreciation
-National Officer Q&A

January 2008
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Paul McCutchan
-Building Bright Futures

November 2007
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Corey Flournoy
-Biofuels Mean Business
-Go, Team, Go
-A Tractor Tradition

October 2007
-National Officer Q&A
-Back Talk: Kristie VerMulm
-Give them an A+
-Cranberry Crazy
-Racing to Indy

Contact Us

Let us know your thoughts on the new FFA New Horizons online.

Site Sponsor

Back to In this Issue

FFA Feature

Take a Deep Breath

Tips for choosing your after-high-school plans

July 2008

The closer you get to high school graduation, the more you’re faced with the inevitable question: What are you going to do with your life?

Some students know exactly what career path they’ll take even before their senior year, whether
it’s enrolling in a four-year college, enlisting in the military or taking classes at a technical school. Others don’t decide until they already have a couple years of college or work experience under their belt.

If you’re stressing about what you’ll do after graduation, relax. There’s no right or wrong time to choose a career, and even though you may feel pressured to, you don’t have to decide before you graduate.

“I think for many students, it’s best to wait until college – after a variety of courses – to seriously choose a major,” says Dr. Randall Hansen, author of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Choosing a College Major. “That said, I think it’s great to begin the process in high school.”

To help ignite your thinking process, Hansen offers these tips:

1. Go with your gut.

Consider what you’re naturally good at doing. It might be working with your hands, helping others or using your creativity – whatever ignites the passion in you.

“I strongly believe if you follow your passion, the money will come,” Hansen says.

2. Look at the logistics.

Think about how much education a career will require and whether you’re willing to invest that much time and money. Also consider what type of work environment would suit you best.

“Some professions require six or more years of education beyond high school,” Hansen says. “Do you want to work in an office, or do you want to be on the road or in the field? Do you want a job that’s the same each day or one that changes?”

3. TEST yourself.

By taking self-assessment tests, you may discover some exciting career fields you didn’t even know existed. By asking you about your traits, preferences and interests, they give you a better idea of your attitudes as they relate to different careers. You can find self-assessment tests online or in your high school guidance office.

4. Avoid influences.

“I see too many students in majors because they thought they had to major in that subject to make a parent or friend happy,” Hansen says. “But students, it’s your lives, and you are going to work 40 to 50 years after college, so you need to choose something you will enjoy.”

5. Don’t rush.

You’re going to be working for decades, so choosing a line of work isn’t something that you can or should do overnight.

“Don’t worry if you have no clue now,” Hansen says. “Just keep striving to discover yourself while researching careers of interest.

Story by Jessica Mozo