Top 10 Career Planning Websites for High School Students

Are you a high school student eagerly looking to explore potential career paths, find a high school internship program, or dive into more educational opportunities? The digital age has made it easier than ever to access valuable resources that can guide you in making informed decisions about your future. In this article, we’ve compiled a list of the top ten career websites that cater specifically to high school students, aiding you in navigating the exciting world of career exploration. We will be exploring many websites, ranging from ones that can help you find work experience to websites that help you discover how your interests relate to your professional skills.

1. Naviance

Naviance is a comprehensive college and career readiness platform that assists high school students in streamlining the college admissions process and identifying their strengths, interests, and goals. It provides insights into career clusters, scholarships, and even college options, aiding students in planning their academic journey effectively. High schoolers can use tools such as college research and matching, course planning, career assessment, and personality tests to connect what they are doing in school to what they want to do post-graduation.

2. CareerOneStop

Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, CareerOneStop offers a wealth of information on career exploration, training, job searching, and more. This is my favorite website on this list, solely because of how many different resources they have to offer no matter what stage you are in in your career exploration journey, whether you're looking for research experience or simply pinning down your professional skills. If you do not what you’re interested in yet, they offer assessments and videos that will help you explore career options. If you are a bit further in your career exploration journey and know what you want to pursue, but are not sure about how to pursue these opportunities, CareerOneStop offers a plethora of resources on resume building and how to approach interviews to increase your chances of succeeding. 

3. BigFuture by College Board

BigFuture by College Board is a great website for understanding how you can explore careers as a high school senior. This website offers a platform that guides high school students through various aspects of college planning, including exploring careers, choosing the right college, and understanding the financial aspects of higher education. It proves invaluable for those seeking to tailor their college experience to the discovery of their career passion because it allows students to choose a college aligned with their interests, whether it be a strong computer science program or a school that prioritizes research projects or internship experience. 

4. YouScience

YouScience provides a much more black-and-white approach to career exploration, offering a comprehensive aptitude and interest assessment to identify potential career paths that align with your strengths and skills. This can be a great place to start if you are open to any career path and don’t have a specific preference to begin. It can help you to whittle down your choices, making the process of securing an internship opportunity or summer program at a national institute easier. 

5. KhanAcademy / Coursera

Educational websites like Khan Academy and Coursera aren’t only known for their lectures on traditional subjects. These sites offer a variety of free courses and resources on various subjects and careers. High school students can access tutorials, career profiles, and learning materials to explore different fields and get a better understanding of their interests. Khan Academy, for example, offers a 15-unit career course that outlines everything from navigating your early career to exploring careers in tech, business, and even research. 

6. Polygence Pathfinders

Polygence Pathfinders offers a unique way for high school students to explore potential career paths. While many of the websites on this list offer valuable information on career exploration, none of them offer students the ability to explore careers in the real world. The Polygence Pathfinders program matches students with three mentors, allowing them to ask questions and hear about what a day in the life of an expert in the field looks like. From here, students have the ability to reflect on their conversations with a Polygence educator to decide on the next steps. The Pathfinders program offers a unique opportunity for students to truly understand first-hand what a specific career looks like. 

Not sure where to find high school internships? The next few sites we’ll look at will help you find specific career exploration opportunities. 

7. Internships.com

Internships.com is an excellent resource for any high school student seeking a paid internship, a summer program, or a co-op opportunity. It allows students to search for positions by location, field of interest, or company, helping them gain practical experiences and a glimpse into potential careers. Students can also learn practical skills and even get certified to help them stand out from other candidates when searching for student internships and jobs. 

8. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a household name when it comes to career websites. It is a professional networking platform that offers high school students a chance to create a professional online presence, get contact information for professionals in their desired fields, and gain insights into various careers. Students can set up their own LinkedIn profile, highlighting their past experiences, skills, and more. It’s a great platform for networking and exploring potential opportunities, from securing a summer internship to interacting with human resources. More recently, LinkedIn has produced its own content in the form of blogs and courses, which are very useful for learning more about a specific career path and even offer certifications. 

9. WayUp

WayUp is a job and internship platform exclusively for college and high school students. It connects students with internships and entry-level job opportunities, making it easier for them to kickstart their careers and gain valuable experience. This is a great website to go to if you know what you want to do and are looking for a specific experience. It can also be valuable for exploring a few different areas of interest, by taking on internships in different fields. 

10. RippleMatch

RippleMatch is also a job-searching platform. However, rather than having a plethora of opportunities thrown at you, RippleMatch will first have you complete a five-minute questionnaire that allows them to better understand your interests and what you are looking for in a career. From here, they will offer you many jobs that align with your specific interests and the responses that you gave in the initial questionnaire. It’s a great website to use when you have a focused interest, as it can offer you many opportunities that align with it. 

Finding the right career path requires self-reflection, research, and sometimes a bit of trial and error. These websites can serve as valuable tools to guide you on your journey toward discovering and exploring your passions and setting a course for a fulfilling career. Take the time to explore and use these resources wisely, and you’ll be well on your way to a successful future. Happy exploring!