(upbeat music) - What are you gonna do after high school?

If you're not sure, I'd like to offer a few suggestions.

My name is Jarrell Williams, and for the next few minutes, I'll be your personal guide.

Some of the careers I introduced you to will require a college degree while others need special training or certification, and some, if you're willing to learn as you go, you can begin your new career right after high school.

This is also work you can do to earn a little cash, if you're planning to take a gap year.

So let's get started.

You have your degree, what's next?

How about a community health worker, a pharmacy tech, a mail carrier, or a police dispatcher?

If you're like me and like spending time outdoors, you might wanna consider becoming a park ranger.

(bird of prey cries) Can't you see yourself patrolling the grounds, making sure campers and visitors are following park rules?

How about giving tours and educating visitors about park history?

Another outdoor career alternative is aqua farming.

Has anyone seen my waders?

It's definitely attire that you'll need if you're going to successfully breed, raise and harvest fish, shellfish, and plants.

(hip-hop music) If music is your thing, working as a music engineer may be just the career you're looking for.

How cool would it be, spending your days in the studio recording and mixing music for various artists?

I think I need some new clothes.

In fact, if you enjoy shopping for new clothes as much as I do, why not turn your passion into a career as a personal shopper?

Believe it or not, there are lots of people out there who will pay you money to shop for clothing, groceries, or just run their errands.

Certification and technical training can definitely pay off in a big way.

Working as an IT tech for smartphones and internet service is the wave of the future.

Keep in mind, there may be exam fees for training certificates.

An apprenticeship program can last anywhere from one to six years, but hang in there, It will pay off in skills learned and compensation.

The best part is you'll get paid to learn.

Jobs providing clean energy are becoming more important than ever, so you could consider becoming a wind turbine technician.

This in-demand skillset requires you to install, maintain, and repair wind turbines.

As an apprentice in this field, it's likely you'll train and travel simultaneously with good pay and benefits.

Maybe you like doing your own thing.

Have you ever considered becoming an entrepreneur?

One of the top entrepreneurial careers today is podcasting.

If this is your passion, be prepared to hustle.

Turning a podcast into a money-making career starts with a great show, fantastic sponsors, and a huge listener base.

Once it's established, you can buckle up and get ready for a successful launch.

Ever heard of a meme artist?

This creative soul spends their working hours creating the emojis, memes, and GIFs that we use each and every day.

(cash register rings) Wow, you can make that kind of money creating emojis?

Who knew?

Perhaps a career serving your country is calling out to you?

Military service offers a vast selection of career choices, each one offering a unique opportunity to learn new skills, build a career, all while protecting America's freedoms, and you can do this both at home and abroad.

Is art your thing?

Then let's take a quick look at the field of animation.

Animation is one of those careers where a college degree is usually required.

Today, animation is used in thousands of productions.

(ball boinks) See what I mean?

Here's something else you might like.

If you're as into social media, as I am, a career as a chief listening officer, maybe right up your alley CLOs act as air traffic controllers for the company's social media and content channel.

Let me just finish this tweet and I'll be right with you, and send.

(button beeps) If preserving this land we love stays in your mind, you can earn a living with a degree in packaging.

Yep, that's what I said, packaging.

With a degree in packaging, you'll explore economical and environmental ways to reduce waste, particularly when it comes to the package and packaging materials that we use each and every day.

If you're thinking after college, I'd like to travel, and if you enjoy writing, I've got just a job for you.

Freelance travel writers capture the essence of unique, exotic, and unusual places.

Perhaps some college will be okay, but if you're not sure you wanna spend the next four years in school, there are scores of associate degrees available to you.

One of the most popular two-year degrees is for web designing.

This detail-oriented job allows you to create, troubleshoot, code, and/or develop apps for clients.

A web designer is one of the best paid jobs from the associate degree circuit, whew!

All that coding can work up an appetite, which brings us to one of my favorites.

A culinary degree can teach you to prepare different kinds of foods for different clients, be it scores of people in a five-star restaurant, a diner, or an individual or family.

There are all kinds of chefs.

Just do a little research.

In fact, there are so many careers out there, and I've just touched on a few, but hopefully something I've shown you has sparked your interest.

If not, what are the subjects or extracurricular activities that you enjoy?

Do some research on careers that incorporate that subject or activity.

For example, if you love history, have you ever considered becoming a re-enactor at a museum, historic site or theme park?

Remember this, if you love whatever career path you choose, it will never feel like work.

One last suggestion.

Find yourself a mentor, someone who has already done what you aspire to do.

Learning from their experiences could save you frustration and disappointment as you pursue your dream career.

I'm Jarrell Williams.

(upbeat music) (upbeat music continues) (upbeat music continues)