TEEN GUIDE TO PLANNING FOR YOUR FUTURE

A guide delivering clear, balanced, data-driven advice for teens choosing their post–high school path.

Rockler lays out multiple options for high school graduates, breaking down the financial and logistical considerations of entering full-time employment or following different educational paths, including traditional college or trade or vocational school. The author weighs the pros and cons of each choice, backing her statements with statistics and personal testimonials, while tackling outdated stigmas surrounding vocational education and covering Historically Black Colleges and Universities as well as faith-based, women’s, tribal, and other colleges. The book includes guidance on job readiness, focusing on professionalism, responsibility, time management and interpersonal skills. The section on financial literacy includes (but goes beyond) banking and credit cards, warning readers about the hidden pitfalls of subscriptions and social media influencer–driven spending traps. The final chapter, “Preparing To Live on Your Own,” provides basic, essential advice on topics including nutrition, stocking a kitchen, and cleaning that will be invaluable to many. The stock photos show racially diverse young people, and text boxes address sexual harassment in the workplace, roommate contracts, and other important subjects. The writing is clear, concise, and judgment-free, with a good balance of facts, anecdotes, and additional resources. Parents, guardians, and school counselors will find this work as useful as the intended teen audience thanks to its insights, encouragement, and practical tools.

This accessible, engaging guide will spark curiosity and provide teens with meaningful and useful information. (source notes, index, picture credits) (Nonfiction. 13-18)