For many high school students, the expected path after graduation is college. However, not everyone chooses to take that path. Others chose to enter the workforce right away for a variety of reasons.
“I like money, and I want to get ahead in life and be able to buy my own things,” senior Tristian Wright said.
Instead of going to college, Wright wanted to gain real-world experience early and already has a jump start, as he currently works at a feedlot in Decatur, where he helps his step-dad take care of cattle and works with equipment.
“Some experiences I have gotten are how to calf a calf. I have learned how to fence really fast, I have learned a lot about how to care for animals and how to do lots of other things,” Wright said.
While the job has taught him valuable skills, the setting itself is something that stands out even more to him.
“I would say the best part about it is the isolation from people; it’s kinda in the middle of nowhere,” Wright said.
Wright is interested in becoming a heavy equipment mechanic because of the machinery used at the feedlot. He explained that repairs are often expensive when sent to a shop, so learning to fix things himself would be valuable.
“We have a lot of equipment that needs work done up at the feedlot, and it’s too expensive to take it to a shop,” Wright said.
For other students, the decision to go straight to work is more about being careful with money and future choices.
“I chose that because I wanted to save money while being in school,” senior Madalynn Bussing said.
Bussing decided to start working so she could save money and be prepared for whatever she chooses to do after graduation. She wants to avoid spending money on college or training right away. Instead, she is focusing on building savings and keeping her options open.
“I don’t quite know what I want to do when I graduate, and I just thought to save money rather than spend money on something that I might not even end up doing,” Bussing said.
While she decides what her next steps will be, she plans to earn as much money as she can. Bussing currently has two jobs and plans to continue working, possibly moving into a full time position after high school. Both of her jobs are giving her lots of practice with different skills that can be used in whatever future career she settles on.
“At Cottonwood (Pet Resort), we pretty much use responsibility, handling with care, compassion, treating animals with respect and managing things to get done on time. While at Quasar Drive-In, we have respect, reliability, being able to talk to customers and being able to handle working under pressure,” Bussing said.
While Bussing is still deciding what comes next, senior Colton Swahn already has several plans in the works.
“I chose to go straight to work because I have a lot of people I can just go and work for after I graduate,” Swahn said.
Swahn’s background has also influenced his path.
“The thought process wasn’t much; only one of my siblings went to college, and my parents didn’t really think I was going to do it,” Swahn said.
Swahn already has an idea of where he is headed.
“After graduation, I plan on working in plumbing or mechanical work because I have a lot of connections with both of those fields,” Swahn said.
Even though their reasons are different, all three students are focusing on building their futures in their own unique way. Whether it’s supporting their family, gaining experience or saving money for future opportunities, each decision shows responsibility and independence.
“I’m excited to go to work after school because I go make money, and the benefits are that I’m able to buy my own stuff, and I feel great because I get to go and work a job I like,” Wright said.
