Career Paths for Everyone

"The Journey to finding your passion is a lifelong endeavor"

The misconception is that one's career path is a straight line. From A to B. From school to job to retirement. This is a career myth that has deep roots and must be challenged. 

The more traditional career path is that there is no traditional path. Everyone has a different journey. Everyone finds their way on their terms. The goal of Your Future: Make it Your Own (YF:MIYO) is to give students tools, information, and resources that will help them identify their strengths and abilities, and uncover their passions and interests, to help them find a meaningful career. 

Essentially, identify what they're good at, what they like, and how they can get paid for it. 

What Career Path is Best Suited for Your Skills and Interests? 

Click the tabs + to see a snapshot of pros and cons for each path 

PROS

  • Higher entry-level pay
  • Low stigma
  • Breadth of access to career information
  • Versatility in career changes
  • High job mobility

CONS

  • Delayed career gratification
  • Student Debt

PROS

  • Medium entry-level pay
  • Breadth of access to career information
  • Versatility in career changes
  • Higher job mobility

CONS

  • Medium stigma
  • Low Student Debt
  • Delayed career gratification

PROS

  • Instant gratification
  • Learning on the job
  • Career experience
  • Learn what you like/don't like

CONS

  • Low entry-level pay
  • Low upward mobility

PROS

  • Immediate career
  • Family-centric path
  • Heritage and tradition
  • High mobility
  • Stability

CONS

  • High stigma
  • External negative perception
  • Low entry level pay

PROS

  • Quick way to upskill
  • Higher job mobility
  • Low Investment
  • Learn while on the job

CONS

  • Low availability across industries
  • Hard finding the right certifying entity

PROS

  • Instant gratification
  • High job demand
  • High entry-level pay

CONS

  • Medium stigma
  • Lack of path information
  • Lack of available resources to identify opportunities

PROS

  • Higher entry-level consideration
  • Insight into what you like/don't like
  • Higher job mobility

CONS

  • Competitive
  • Lack of availability for certain industries/paths

PROS

  • On the job learning
  • Higher entry-level pay
  • Immediate skill and experience

CONS

  • Hard to find
  • Lack of breadth of programs
  • Only for certain industries/paths

PROS

  • Autonomy
  • High risk, high reward
  • On-the-job education
  • Instant career
  • High job mobility

CONS

  • High risk, high reward
  • Need assets or investment
  • Low entry-level pay
  • Medium to high debt

what does these different paths mean to me? 

Let's Learn More About These Different Options

Select one of the career paths to learn more about opportunities and resources. 

Joining the Military 

The reasons why people join the military are many. Maybe you want to serve your country. Maybe you want to find your purpose. Maybe you want to travel the world. Or maybe this is your way of learning new skills. 

Whatever the reason you feel drawn to service and a career path that stays with you for generations, it is your personal choice. 

There are plenty of incentives in pay and benefits that is associated with this career path option. A few examples: 

  • A new second lieutenant starts at more than $39,000 a year plus full benefits, not including added monthly allowances.
  • Enlistment and reenlistment bonuses can be more than $20,000. 
  • Student loans can be relieved by up to $65,000.
  • Military retirement pay can reach 50-75% of the average of your final three years base salary (for the legacy High-3 retirement plan).

information c/o of military.com and themilitarywallet.com

A few Additional Benefits of Joining the Military

Things to Consider for Each Career Path

Look at the sliders to review this career path to see if it makes sense for your situation, needs, and wants.

Autonomy/Independent Work
Collaboration/Group Work
Clock in and Out
Accomplish Things
Foundation to success
I can learn on the job
Not important
Very important
Task-driven
Outcome-driven
A little is OK
It's an investment in myself
Money
A job well done
WFH
On location
Desk job
On the go
On the job
In a classroom
Career-focused
Family-focused
Immediately
I can wait
Entry-level
Be a boss