Although it’s still the first semester, most college application deadlines are approaching. For Air Academy High School’s (AAHS) seniors, this means huge choices about their future are closer than they might like to admit. However, the older generation at AAHS has some words of advice for those struggling with this big milestone.
It’s scary to think about the future. What does it hold? For those who are reaching the finish line of their four years of high school, the answer to this question is right around the corner. Whether they are looking to go to college, trade school, a gap year, or begin work immediately their choice is closer than ever.
Students at Air Academy have a variety of paths they are planning to take. For example, senior Ella McCauley has never doubted her plan for the future.
“I’m planning on going to a 4-year university to study political science and then I hope to be an intern on Capitol Hill,” McCauley explained.
Her certainness in her decision is unique.
“I would say it’s pretty rare for high school students to know exactly what they want to do,” Mrs. Riggs stated.
For example, senior Elijah Hildy has figured out that he wants to be a tattoo artist but he has questioned his future many times.
“It took me a pretty long time to figure out what I wanted to do because my range of skills and the things I enjoyed doing were not necessarily fit for the office environment,” Hildy reflected.
So what do these types of seniors who are unsure about their future do? In order to help, teachers at Air Academy have offered their wisdom to the upcoming generation.
According to Mrs. Riggs, it is vital for students to have conversations about their futures with adults in their lives.
“I think if students could kinda realize that it would take a little bit of the stress off,” Mrs. Riggs concluded.
She herself explained that she had a non-traditional path through her career. After receiving various degrees related to computer-science and business, she took a break from that career and “stayed home for a while and had kids and was a mom.”
After that chapter of her life she became a counselor at Air Academy.
“You just never know how that journey happens!” Mrs. Riggs said humorously.
Other teachers at Air Academy have similar sentiments. Math teacher Mr. English, for example, changed careers from an elevator engineer to a math teacher.
“You can always change, it doesn’t tie you to it,” Mr. English advised, “Don’t worry too much about it, pick something.”
Similarly, English teacher Dr. Cullen followed a “non-traditional” path. Getting married and starting a family happened before she began her college and career journey. After becoming a teacher seven years ago, she went further and received her doctorate degree last year.
“My advice would be that it’s important to remember that you’re not expected to know your life plan at the age of 18,” Dr. Cullen said.
Although seniors are approaching these decisions, it’s important to remember that these choices might still fluctuate later in life.
“There’s so many different ways to end up doing something you love to do that there doesn’t have to be one hard pathway,” Mrs. Riggs reminded.
If any seniors are still struggling with these types of decisions, Mrs. Riggs encourages them to make an appointment with her to discuss their plan or explore Naviance.
