Teens: explore your interests, plan your future

Interested in volunteering? Want a summer job? Not sure which career path to choose? There are many resources available to help you decide your next steps. Find a topic below and click on a link to learn more.

Be a volunteer

Volunteering is a great way to change lives, including your own. Even a small act of kindness can make a difference in the lives of others. Helping someone else feels very rewarding. If you're feeling saddened by the news of a disaster, volunteering to help can also be a great way to cope. Volunteering could help you decide which jobs may be right for you and build experience that looks good on a resume.

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Find a summer or part-time job

Summer jobs may be hard to find, but don’t give up! Summer or part-time jobs are a great way to prepare for life after high school. The skills you learn will help you develop the professional talents you'll need throughout your life. Work experience can also help you feel good about yourself. The confidence you gain from working will come in handy when you're ready to interview for college or a job after high school.

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Check out health care careers

Health care is a growing industry. As people age, they need more health services. Some professions, for example nursing, are in big demand. Qualified people usually find jobs easily.

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#iamadvocate: Learn about the people who help make Advocate the safest and best place for our patients to heal. This Facebook page includes photos and stories from our associates, nurses, physicians and clinicians across our health care system.
Videos on health careers: These videos highlight several health careers. Click on a job to find out what skills and degrees you need and discover what a typical workday is like. If you are interested in a career in health or medicine, talk to your school counselor. Your counselor can help you learn more about health care jobs.
Bureau of Labor Statistics information: This site has an online Occupational Health Handbook. Browse the handbook to learn about the many health care careers. Search by occupation group, projected number of new jobs, pay or level of education. For each profession listed, the site describes the job, what the workplace is like, education requirements, pay and more.
MedlinePlus information: This site also has an in-depth list of health careers and links to resources to learn more about them.

Explore careers

Check out these links to learn more about college and careers. Discover occupations that relate to your interests. Find fun facts about the economy and jobs. Search for career information on duties, education and training, pay and outlook for hundreds of jobs.

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Bureau of Labor Statistics information: This site has an online Occupational Health Handbook. Browse the handbook to learn about hundreds of jobs. Search for jobs by occupation group, projected number of new jobs, pay or level of education. For each profession listed, the site describes the job, what the workplace is like, education requirements, pay and more.
Bureau of Labor Statistics information K-12: Check out these resources for students and teachers to learn more about jobs. Materials are for a variety of ages.