High school is a significant milestone in most teenager’s lives. At 16 or 17 years old, most students’ minds are focused on extracurriculars, sports, popularity, and dating. Except for future valedictorians and a few overachievers, class selection isn’t usually a top priority. Unless that priority is enrolling in the easiest classes possible – like gym, wood-shop, and yearbook.
But if I could go back to high school and do it all over again, there are 7 classes I would take knowing they’d benefit me greatly in the future.
So, if you’re a teenager about to enter freshmen year, or are the parent of a teenager in high school, be sure to make the best use of the class schedule. Doing so could save you a lot of time, and make you a lot of money, in the future.
#1: Public Speaking
As a 16 year old in high school, the last class I ever wanted to take was Public Speaking. I’m an introvert, so when it comes to words, less is more. Coupled with the fear of standing up in front of my friends and embarrassing myself, and it wasn’t happening. Public Speaking wasn’t even on the radar. Indeed, it couldn’t be any further from it.
The general public fears public speaking more so than death! But I hate to break it to you Juniors and Seniors out there. You’ll do more public speaking than you can imagine once you enter the workforce.
It may not be a formal presentation or standing up in front of an auditorium to give a speech. But in corporate America, you’ll facilitate meetings, workshops, and various other group meetings where you’ll have to speak in front of a room full of people.
Do yourself a favor in high school and enroll in Public Speaking. Because the more you do it, the less scary it becomes. And it’ll give you a leg up on the competition.
#2: Personal Finance
Personal Finance wasn’t even an option at my high school. Yeah, I’m from West Virginia, but still! So, if your high school offers Personal Finance or general Finance, take it. I’m not talking about a class that teaches you how to write checks – do those even exist anymore?
No, I’m talking about a class that teaches:
- How to build a budget
- Ways to manage expenses
- What a mortgage is and how it works
- Basics of retirement savings: 401K’s and IRAs
- The phenomenon of compound interest
- Risks associated with indebtedness
- And all the like…
This is real life. Quite literally, selecting a retirement savings plan will be one of the first things you’ll do at your first full-time job. Your ability to explain what “imperfect tense” is in Spanish won’t matter.
A basic knowledge of personal finance at age 18 could put you way ahead of your peers…and a lot of money in your pocket.
#3: Economics
Supply and demand. This simple concept influences world economies more than anything else. And having a basic understanding of what it is and how it works can give you a leg up in life. Namely, in the world of investing.
I don’t know a high schooler alive who doesn’t want to be wealthy. Economists study the world’s economies, and are able to predict how certain situations may impact the future direction of world markets. Things such as inflation, interest rates, debt, etc… and their impact on the stock market.
Who wouldn’t want the ability to predict the future direction of the stock market? Take Economics in high school and increase your probability of being able to do so.
#4: Investing
Economics is the foundation of investing. Because once you understand where the market is going, you can then find the company within the market that stands to benefit.
As a high schooler, enroll in an Investing class, or a Business class that covers investing. You’re looking for a class that explains the intricacies of stocks and the stock market. Topics may include:
- Market capitalization and what it means
- Dollar cost averaging
- Index funds, mutual funds, and exchange-traded funds (ETFs)
- Fundamental analysis (balance sheet, income statement, cashflow statement)
- Valuation methodologies
- Financial metrics such as gross margin, EBIT, and free cashflow
- And all the like…
This single class could be the difference in your retiring at age 35 or 65. At age 17, a basic understanding of how to find stocks to buy, valuation methods, and compound interest, could be worth millions of dollars in your lifetime.
Time is the single greatest factor influencing returns in the stock market, so starting early is critical. Enroll in Investing as early as possible so you can reap the benefits later!
#5: Writing
Email is the primary form of written communication in corporate America. So the ability to write a grammatically correct, coherent sentence to get your point across is invaluable.
I receive hundreds of emails per week. And I’m concerned by the number of grown adults writing run-on sentences who are unable to distinguish “there” from “their.” Grammar doesn’t have to be perfect. But often times I get lost in what someone is trying to say.
If your high school offers a writing class, be it creative writing, technical writing or similar, I recommend taking it. The ability to write well, and to clearly get your point across while invoking proper emotion (or lack there of) will serve you well in adulthood.
Plus, you can use your skill in writing to make money. Here are 3 options on how to do it in the world of investing.
#6: Vocational Education
High school students these days are strongly encouraged to graduate, then enter college to earn a degree. That’s the path I took, and it’s still a good option. But what if I told you there are a lot of college graduates working jobs that require no college degree?
I think you’d be surprised by the number of people working a trade or vocation who have a Bachelor’s degree. Electricians, welders, plumbers, IT technicians, and HVAC technicians are all examples of careers that don’t require a college degree.
So why would a college graduate become an electrician or welder? Because it pays more than the average job requiring a Bachelor’s degree in Business, for example.
Many high schools offer vocational training opportunities for Juniors and Seniors. If I could go back and do it again, I’d use my Senior year to earn a welding certificate or similar. At least I’d have an in-demand skill I could put to use while attending college. Or simply use my skill as a welder to write my own ticket.
Don’t squander your Senior year working in the Administrator’s Office. Enroll in some sort of vocational or technical education program. As an example, here’s a link to my high school’s program.
#7: Computer Science
It should go without saying these days that Computer Science, Information Technology (IT), or whatever you want to call it, is essential for those entering the workforce. Unless you’re entering a trade (of which I’m a big advocate), computer skills are non-negotiable. Even as a tradesman, you can’t go through life nowadays not knowing how to use technology.
In my current job, I hire people. And computer skills are one of the biggest distinguishers between strong candidates and weak candidates (that plus attitude). Basic knowledge and ability in the following is essential:
- Keyboarding
- Microsoft Office (Teams, Excel, Word, PowerPoint) or Google equivalent
- Cybersecurity awareness
- Email and instant messaging
These things may seem basic, but the more you can practice in high school the better off you’ll be.
Summing it up
High school is an important time in the life of most individuals. Students can use that time to pursue extracurriculars, sports, and dating. Or they can take advantage of the opportunity, and set themselves up for the rest of their life.
Personally, I think a mixture of the two is the best recipe. Don’t forgo sports, clubs, and relationship building in blind pursuit of education. But don’t do the opposite either. You’ll likely live to regret it if you do.
