What advice will I give a high school /college student?

Eight months later I am back and ready to provide advice and help! Yesterday I was asked an interesting question that I thought was important to share with you. I was asked "What advice would I give to a high school student?" First off I love working with high school and college students because I feel that I am able really make an impact in their job selection and preparation process. What advice will I give? Middle/High School Student 1. Pay attention to your classes and make the best grades you can ensure to obtain the highest grade point average possible. 2. Spend your spare time volunteering with a nonprofit organization to obtain real life experience. If you have already identified a field that you are interested in pursuing in college, then volunteer in a nonprofit that will help you obtain experience and talk to persons in your field of interest. Often times, professionals in their field do not mind providing information and mentoring about their industry of expertise. 3. During High School years, it is also recommended to identify colleges that you are interested in attending as well as taking the SAT testing. Evaluate the program, visit the college if you can and ensure the college has a Career Services Department. 4. Read lots of books, newspaper and learn how to effectively research trustworthy information. Get in the habit of reading and researching. This will make it easier for you in your college years. College Student College years are the years of growth for every individual. It is the time when a day length can be up to 12-15 hours a day. What do I mean by that? It is the time when everything takes place. What do I recommend? 1. Make sure to pay close attention to your studies and obtain high grade point average. Studying hard will allow you to gain all the theoretical information needed to successfully work in real life. 2. Visit the Career Services Department and make an appointment with the Career Advisor. Attend to any networking, workshop, resume critique session you can. Why? Because you want to be prepared for the real world when you graduate and you want to make sure that you are prepared for when your graduation date comes. The Career Services Department is designed to prepare, educate and place students after graduation. They are also able to obtain internships/volunteering opportunities in your field of study. 3. Volunteer Volunteer Volunteer or try hard to obtain an internship of your field of study. Often times, college student think on the fact that they need money to party, pay car note, car insurance, etc. and spend much time working at department stores, fast food restaurant, etc. without trying hard to prepare oneself in the field of interest. When looking for employment education and experience is taken into consideration. Never forget that. Additionally, volunteering/interning will allow you to meet people and learn new concepts. 4. Network Network Network. Have you heard the concept "It is all about whom you know" at times this is good. When looking for work part of the process is references. Volunteer/Internship will allow you to form a solid base of references and persons you can ask for advice when needed. These advices will help you successfully work towards your employment dreams and grow within an organization.