Post High School Career Resources by Kelly Meads

What Are My Alternatives to College?

kellymeads — 2026-05-15 17:27:48 UTC

Options include trade schools, technology programs, gap years, and more. A path different than the traditional 4-year college route can provide great benefits. Some advantages of non-traditional routes include gaining work experience, reducing school expenses, refining vocational plans, acquiring skills, and jumpstarting a career. Everyone’s journey is unique. Here are a few ideas of alternate pathways.

Looking for a Job? Let's Talk Resumes

kellymeads — 2026-05-15 17:32:06 UTC

Thinking about applying to jobs for the summer? Consider creating a resume if you do not already have one.

Check out the resume building pointers here courtesy of Bentley University.

Career Exploration Resource from MEFA

kellymeads — 2026-05-15 17:35:29 UTC

MEFA is a Massachusetts-based non-profit we heavily rely on for guidance on higher education financial aid information, but they also offer other tools and resources.

Above you'll find a link to their career planning resources that range from assessments you can take about yourself to articles about various fields that may be of interest and how there are often multiple pathways to similar careers!

Click around or do your own searches to find some great nuggets of information.

MA Building Trades Union Directory

kellymeads — 2026-05-15 17:42:02 UTC

Click above to find all local building trade union information, addresses, contact information, etc.

SS Tech Institute Free Career Training Programs

kellymeads — 2026-05-21 15:04:45 UTC

Check out this flyer for some career training opportunities available to high school graduates. 13 week, 220 hour introductory courses to prepare participants for entry-level positions.

City Year:

kellymeads — 2026-05-21 18:36:04 UTC

You can develop skills employers want by volunteering for 1 year to help students K-12 succeed academically. City Year is an AmeriCorps program designed for young people ages 17-25. Check out more details in the link above.

MassHire Career Information System

kellymeads — 2026-05-21 18:41:27 UTC

MassHire Career Information System: You do not need an account to use MassHire CIS, start with the Massachusetts resident login.
Select your city or town and enter your zip code. You'll then get access to a number of career interest surveys and information about careers, job market, job pay, and more.

Gap Year: What is it?

kellymeads — 2026-06-03 18:33:27 UTC

Gap Year Association defines a gap year as “an intentional period of time devoted to personal growth and exploration through experiential learning opportunities". Read more in the linked website above.

Thinking Military Enlistment? Check out this practice ASVAB test.

kellymeads — 2026-06-09 20:07:39 UTC

Military enlistment requires taking the. ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) to determine if an individual is qualified to enlist in the military and to match interested students to specific jobs within the military. It is also sometimes taken by students interested simply in the vocational exploration/interest outcomes of the exam. There is no military obligation tied to taking the exam itself. You can take it more than once, but there are rules around how often. WHS typically offers a testing time in early spring for those interested in taking it on campus, but some opt to test at recruitment centers. Check out the practice exam in the link and speak to your school counselor for more information.