What does the journey ahead have in store for you?

Whether your post-high school plans involve heading off to your favorite university, getting foundational training at a community college, starting an apprenticeship or directly entering the work force, preparing now for the road ahead is an important part of the journey. r u ready? Life after High School was created to showcase your options and to help you make decisions that could dictate what you'll be doing for the next 5, 10 or 50 years.

Published by Virginia Business magazine in partnership with the Virginia Department of Education's Office of Career and Technical Education, this guide is designed to help you understand how to prepare for a lifetime of working in the real world. The senior year is a critical time to finalize plans and start heading down the right road.

Now more than ever, employers want skills that can directly benefit the company. Some skills are in higher demand than others, and it's helpful to study the job outlook to know whether you will have a job in your field now, as well as 10 years in the future. Choosing the right marketable skills involves exploring your interests, abilities, and work values and matching those up with a career in high demand. You'll also need skills that are transferable from one job environment to another, so you'll be in the driver's seat for life's journey.

The question is not whether you have enough education, but the RIGHT education. There are tough choices ahead that will affect your career track. Take some time to review this guide and read over the options available. Meet with your guidance counselor, parents, and teachers to discuss the best road to earn the education you need and to obtain the right marketable skill to help you reach your destination.