Education opens doors to any number of career pursuits. Research shows that by the year 2010, one out of every five jobs in the United States will require a college degree and that nearly one-third of all jobs will require at least some college preparation. It therefore is no surprise that 34 percent of the American young-adult population (aged 18-24) attend university after high school. Those who do not pursue higher education have a myriad of other choices after graduation—the trades, service industry jobs, military service (which often provides financing for university study later), and family-owned businesses all offer opportunities.

For me, planning for after high school is a scary thought. The idea of having to leave my comfort zone and go out into the "real world" is a little frightening. Some people go to a community college, some go to a university, and others go to a regular college. I wish to attend the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. I have decided to push myself to my limits—physically and mentally. This also means that I will be an officer in the United States Navy. The Naval Academy offers many different studies, from aerospace engineering, to political science. I would like to major in either business or political science.

Graduates of military academies are very strong-willed and well-structured individuals. Another advantage to going to an academy is that you automatically have a great job when you graduate, and the pay is pretty good! There isn't much of a downside, [but] I guess if you had to choose something it would be that the individuals that attend the Academy are not as free to do what they please [as in] other colleges. To me this is a good thing. It keeps young individuals out of trouble, and keeps them in line to succeed.

Casey Czarzasty, 17, grade 12, St. Mary's Ryken High School, Leonardstown, Maryland [http://www.smrhs.org]

For some people it is hard to figure out what they want to do after high school. For me it is not so hard—I already knew in the first grade that I wanted to become a teacher. I thought about becoming a teacher because of my first grade teacher; then, when I got into third grade, I knew for a fact that that was what I wanted to do. I have had wonderful teachers throughout my school years, which I feel has helped me make my decision.

Some of the good things about knowing what I want to do and where I want to go are that I can focus on doing my best in trying to achieve my goal. I also can make sure that I am taking the correct courses in high school to become a teacher after college.

Kelsey C. Bell, 15, grade 9, McCutcheon High School, Lafayette, Indiana [http://www.wvec.k12.in.us/McCutcheon]

I want to be a neonatologist, which is a doctor who specializes in the care of newborns, especially those who are premature, or have jaundice, or some problem like that. It all started out when I was little. I went to a babysitter, a girl who later went to Duke University. She wanted to be a doctor, and she got me interested in medicine. So, from the seventh grade on, I have been focused on being a neonatologist. This year I took a special class, called "independent study," in which you can choose something that you are interested in. You do research, have a mentor for 18 weeks, and do a project at the end. I got a chance to shadow a doctor at the hospital, a neonatologist. I got to see exactly what they do, and the different technologies that are used to keep the babies alive.

Kristen Grymes, 17, grade 12, James Monroe High School, Fredericksburg, Virginia [http://www.cityschools.com/jmhs]

I've decided to join the U.S. Air Force. This is partly for financial reasons, but I've always believed that people should do their part to help make a better future and help defend what we have.

If I end up liking the Air Force after I'm in there for four years, I'll probably stay in and make a career of it. But for now I plan on using the G.I. bill [which pays college tuition for military veterans] to go to college and study psychology, which is what I think I want to do as a career.

I am interested in psychology in general, because it fascinates me the way the brain works and makes people act one way or the other. I am looking into counseling, because I would like to be able to help people who have problems live happier, healthier lives. I am also interested in forensic psychology where I could help track down criminals and insure justice, making the world safer for my family and everyone around me.

Evan Hoke, 19, grade 12, Red Land High School, Etters, Pennsylvania [http://classrooms.wssd.k12.pa.us/red_land.cfm]

I have strong beliefs in the laws that our country, states, and cities are governed by. But as with anything, there is room for improvement and change. I believe that I am the person that can help change some of the existing laws for the better.

The foundation to my future begins with summer internships in a government office throughout my high school and college years. There is only so much a person can learn from a book. In college, government and psychology will be my areas of study. I believe that knowing how my government works is a must, but being able to understand how the citizens of my country think is just as important.

After college, I think travel abroad will be important to me. Taking the knowledge and experiences gained through my travels, I will plan to attend graduate law school. I believe a person may not have too much knowledge. I plan to earn my doctorate degree in government and psychology and also a law degree. I would also like to have the title Judge Morgan Atwell. Working hard and holding an exemplary standing with the people, it will only be a short period of time before I run for senator. The hard work has just begun.

Morgan Atwell, 15, grade 9, McCutcheon High School, Lafayette, Indiana [http://www.wvec.k12.in.us/McCutcheon]

I'm not a school type of person like a lot my friends and classmates. I'm looking for a hands-on experience and have joined the U.S. Marines. I'll attend boot camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, and then train for six more months in Pensacola, Florida, to become an aviation mechanic. Maybe I'll stay in, make the Marines a career. I don't know. If not, I'd like to use the training I get in the Marines to work as an aviation mechanic in the civilian world.

But of course, first off, I've got to get through basic training. I know there are risks, but I'd like to protect my country because, first off, I have a lot of faith in my country.

Colin Smith, 18, grade 12, W.T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, Virginia [http://www.fcps.k12.va.us/WTWoodsonHS]

I want to study international law. I'm interested in law because I see that in my own country, there are few women working in this field. I want to work for women's rights, which is very important. I want to go back to Afghanistan and help my country.

Ghizal Miri, 16, grade 12, James Monroe High School, Fredericksburg, Virginia
[http://www.cityschools.com/jmhs]

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