Explore strengths, interests and goals

Exploring interests and strengths through meaningful work experiences

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.

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.