According to the U.S. Department of Education, college graduates with a bachelor’s degree usually earn 66 percent more than those with only a high school diploma. The individuals with a bachelor’s degree are more likely to earn a career.

Yet, are high schools preparing students enough for their future?

From my experience at McKinley High School, I’ve always been a proactive student; I implement my time to visit my career counselor almost every month to ensure that I’m on the correct path to my career goal. Others, however, do not have the time or effort to talk to their counselor often.

“A class wouldn’t be time consuming because it’s an actual class. It doesn’t take extra time out of your own schedule outside of school,” sophomore Shani Huang said.

A class that goes over future guidelines is a necessity during high school, preferably junior year. Junior year is the ideal time to take college tests such as the SAT or the ACT. During this year, students are beginning to seek the career they desire to pursue. The class can support students in their current decision and provide them with other options.

“I want a future planning course to inform me about the SAT and the ACT. It will help guide me for my career and college goal,” Huang said.

Career counselor Colleen Inaba was uncertain about having a future planning course because she doesn’t know if many students will take the class seriously since several of them do not take advisory seriously.

McKinley High School, however, does have many resources to help them prepare for college. Some include the AVID class which stands for advancement in individual determination. AVID is somewhat like a college preparation class that’s available to all grade levels. Furthermore, there are countless online sources including one called, My Future Hawaii, which is a website that all MHS freshmen students are required to sign up for.

One factor that Inaba and I shared is that we both believed that if the student is motivated, they will be successful with any career goal they choose.

MHS should establish a class that will assist students with their future planning because many of them are struggling with their decision. There are many resources online, but not everyone has access to a computer and advisory is mandatory, but not all students take the 30-minute time period seriously enough.

Even though the motivation aspect is the student’s responsibility, he or she still needs guidance. Thus, the future planning class will be profoundly effective and helpful.