What are you good at? Do you have something you love to do? Sign up with the Michigan College Access Portal to take a quick and fun quiz to help guide you.

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Whether it’s playing sports or playing an instrument, your interests today say a lot about what career you might have tomorrow. To get there, follow these ten steps. And be sure to discuss career options with your school counselor, parent or guardian:

Step 1

Make a list of your skills and interests. Think hard about what you enjoy and what you are good at.

Step 2

Find out more about the kinds of the jobs that interest you, along with their educational requirements, salary, working conditions, future outlook and anything else that can help you decide what’s best.

Step 3

Make a second list of possible jobs that you would like to have and compare it with your skills and interests. The job that matches your skills and interests the closest may be the career for you.

Step 4

Choose your career goal. Once you’ve decided what occupation matches up best, then you can begin developing a plan to reach your career goal.

Step 5

Develop a career plan. Think about what you want to do and find out more about the kind of training, education and skills you will need to achieve your career goal.

Step 6

Select a school that offers a college degree or training program that best meets your career goal and financial needs.

Step 7

Find out about financial aid to help support you in achieving your career goal.

Step 8

Learn about job hunting tips as you prepare to graduate or move into the job market.

Step 9

Prepare your resume, and practice job interviewing techniques.

Step 10

Go to your career guidance center at school or a local library for information and help on career planning.

Bonus Resources!

Learn more about Making a Sample Career Plan.

Undocumented Student Guide to College – Applying for college is a very difficult challenge for students without legal status, especially because there is no set guidelines that tell students which schools to consider, what are their options, or even what to fill in for the residency and citizenship checkmarks.

This is the first of its kind in Michigan, providing an easy to understand, step by step directions on what to do if you’re an  undocumented student looking to apply to college.  The guide starts with figuring out what high school to choose, the best classes to take, and how to start saving and preparing for college.  It focuses on the major aspects of applying to school from the perspective of an undocumented student.

We not only want this guide to give practical advice, we also hopes it inspires undocumented students to pursue higher education. Many undocumented students feel like there is no hope after high school. This guide serves as a resource to help the many Michigan undocumented students access to higher education.

ItsMiLife – It’s MI Life is designed as a social networking site to engage kids across Michigan in conversations about college and life after high school. The site offers a non-intimidating, peer-to-peer conversational entry-point, while at the same time providing opportunities and resources for college and career planning. Visit ItsMiLife today to ask your questions about life after high school.