Career Planning
In addition to the exciting career opportunities that can be found in the CTE Pathways at NMSHS, below are some other options to exploring as an alternative to college.
College Alternatives
- Apprenticeships & Trade Programs
- Service Learning/ Volunteering/ Gap Year Programs
- Military
- Civilian Corp Opportunities & Community Service
- Career Exploration
Apprenticeships & Trade Programs
DISCOVERING YOUR PATH TO A SUCCESSFUL CAREER
A 4 year degree isn't the only path to a successful career. Consider the "Middle Skills" option mentioned in this Colorado Public Radio Article.
You can and should continue your education beyond a high school diploma. Indeed, 97% of jobs on Colorado’s "Tier 1" job list typically demand some form of education beyond high school, whether that's an apprenticeship, a certificate, or a two- or four-year degree. Get more information at College Admissions Tool for Colorado.
And, if you choose to attend a technical or community college, you can explore that pathway as well with the help of the Build Options Wizard at CollegeInColorado.org. Check out the CTE pathways offered at NMSHS!
APPRENTICESHIPS
An apprenticeship has valuable benefits and can be a great way to determine your interest in a field of study. More information can be found on the following websites:
Service Learning/ Volunteering/ Gap Year Programs
Americorps
AmeriCorps places thousands of young adults into intensive service positions where they learn valuable work skills, earn money for education, and develop an appreciation for citizenship.
City Year
A branch of AmeriCorps, City Year is a youth-oriented, national, civic-service "action tank" - that's like a think tank with feet.
Green Volunteers
A self-proclaimed "world guide and information network to voluntary work in nature conservation."
Gilpin and Associates Educational Consulting
Contains a database of ideas to make your time off from or before college meaningful, exciting and fun.
Dynamy
A not-for-profit experiential educational organization that offers an internship year mixing work, independent living, structure, and coaching.
Transitions Abroad
A resource for (to name a few) teen travelers, seekers of short-term international work, budget travel, language study, and expatriates.
Student's Guide to Study Abroad
Helps to make international study programs more accessible for students.
Where There Be Dragons
Gap year and study abroad programs. Office located in Boulder.
The Center for Interim Programs
Founded in 1980, The Center for Interim Programs is the first and longest-running independent gap-year counseling organization in the United States.
Thinking Beyond Borders
Global leader in international gap year programs.
Wildlife SOS- India
A non-profit commited to the rescue and rehabilitation of wildlife in distress in both urban and rural environments in India.
World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF)
Help on organic farms in return for food, accommodation and opportunities to learn about organic lifestyles.
Work Away Info
Work Away Info holds a database of families, individuals or organizations in an extensive range of different countries who have registered with us and are looking for volunteer help in a huge range of different fields.
Military
Civilian Corp Opportunities & Community Service
AmeriCorps | AmeriCorps engages more than 80,000 Americans in intensive service each year at nonprofits, schools, public agencies, and community and faith-based groups across the country. AmeriCorps programs do more than move communities forward; they serve their members by creating jobs.
City Year Corps | You can make a difference. In schools. In classrooms. In neighborhoods. City Year corps members serve full-time at one of 24 locations across the United States as tutors and mentors, running after-school programs and leading youth leadership programs.
Earth Corps | Environmental service is a uniquely effective way to build community. When people put their hands into the dirt together and see their efforts transform a threatened area into a more vibrant landscape, they forge a special bond, empowering themselves and their community.
Global Peace Foundation | GPF strives to positively impact the youth culture by bringing together young leaders of all faiths, cultures, nationalities, and interests under a common vision and universal principles.
Green Job Corps | Green Jobs Corps connects young people with paid environmental jobs, career and leadership development opportunities, and the personal and academic supports they need to thrive.
National Conservation Corps | NCC are comprehensive youth development programs that provide their participants with job training, academic programming, leadership skills, and additional support through a strategy of service that improves communities and the environment.
National Park Service Youth Programs | National parks are in disrepair. Historic buildings are crumbling, native species are losing the fight to invasive species, trails are disappearing. We need you! Get paid to accomplish needed conservation work on public lands.
Peace Corps | Peace Corp is working in emerging and essential areas such as information technology and business development. Peace Corps Volunteers continue to help countless individuals who want to build a better life for themselves, their children, and their communities.
Public Allies | Public Allies advances new leadership to strengthen communities, nonprofits, and civic participation. Since 1992, we have been developing a new generation of diverse leaders and promoting innovative leadership practices that meet the demands of changing times.
ServiceNation | Service Nation is working towards the day when a year in a national service program like AmeriCorps is a common expectation for Americans, and when national service is universally accepted as a strategy for putting people to work, tackling pressing social challenges and uniting Americans in common purpose.
Student Conservation Association | SCA is where tens of thousands of green professionals, from park superintendents to urban planners, can trace their start. This is where college and high school students connect with nature, render hands-on service, gain new skills and perspectives, and launch a lifetime of stewardship.
Career Exploration
Workforce Boulder County - Boulder County job resources; help with resumes, job skills, job seeking
Snag A Job - hourly employment
CoolWorks.com - Seasonal and camp jobs
Teens for Hire -Teen jobs and resources
Colorado Dept of Labor and Employment
Monster - Find jobs, build a better career, find your calling.
Mapping Your Future - Career planning, selecting and paying for school