Explore strengths, interests and goals

LEARN: [text]

Meaningful work experiences in high school are a strong predictor of employment success as an adult. the key is meaningful - in the community, doing or learning about actual tasks required for a specific job, and related to your child's interests. Having a paid job in high school can make a big difference in your child's future. Research shows that teens who work are more likely to find and keep jobs as adults - and often enjoy better job stability, higher wages, and stronger career growth.

These experiences may include:

• Paid entry-level job. If your child is ready, they can start working without waiting for employment services to find a job. Options might include entry-level positions in retail, food service, childcare or landscaping.

• Internships. Your child can have hands-on experience within a company (paid or not) for a set period of time. Internships can build skills and increase networking opportunities for future jobs.

• Volunteering. Your child can participate in volunteer activities to gain experience, discover strengths and talents, and make connections. For example, they may volunteer to work with animals, at a food shelf or in a nursing home.

• Job shadowing. Your child can observe someone doing work that might be of interest. For example, they might follow a shipping manager in a warehouse or a caterer in the kitchen.

• Informational interviews. Your child can meet with an employer or key staff member to ask specific questions about a specific business, industry or job.

Work-based learning programs give students a chance to learn about jobs by doing real work in the community. These experiences help students explore careers, build job skills and understand what it is like to have a job.

Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS) and State Services for the Blind (SSB) may also support and provide work-based learning experiences when school work-based learning services aren't available or don't fully meet your child's needs.