Successful careers require confidence, self-reflection, and short and long-term goals. Regardless of your preferred industry, the best entry-level jobs will help you develop transferable job skills, such as organizational, communication, networking, and customer service skills. Make the most of each professional opportunity, regardless of your position, by actively networking and seeking mentors. 

In this article, we will review key tips for how to approach an entry-level job by making the most of every opportunity. We will also review some of the best industry-specific entry-level jobs, such as best entry-level tech jobs, best entry-level healthcare jobs, and best entry-level online jobs.

How to approach an entry-level job

The key to having a successful entry-level job is to embody a growth mindset. Approach everything as a learning opportunity. Successful careers, regardless of their stage, require thorough and consistent self-reflection. In other words, you need a career plan and a list of goals. Ideally, you should have a combination of both short-term and long-term goals, with each short-term goal thoughtfully designed to help you work towards each long-term goal. 

For example, if you are an aspiring teacher and are working at an ice cream stand during the summer, use this opportunity to practice having positive interactions with children. Even if your initial plan was to work as a camp counselor, don’t let your change of plans prevent you from working purposefully towards your long-term goals. 

Similarly, if you are an aspiring journalist, there are lots of entry-level jobs available to you, including working as a writing tutor, social media manager, or newsroom intern. That said, even if you don’t get offered your first choice for employment, there will be learning and networking opportunities available to you, regardless of your job. For example, if you take a job working in retail, use this opportunity to develop strong communication, organization, and customer service skills. 

Ultimately, you can gain useful work experience and gain important job skills in a variety of positions, even if they aren’t industry specific. You will also have the chance to secure a good job reference for future employment opportunities. The most important thing to remember about entry-level jobs is to make the most of every opportunity, continue to make short-term and long-term career goals, and embody a growth mindset. 

What are your professional goals?

The first step toward having a successful career is to answer the question: what are your career goals? Your specific goals will vary greatly depending on your level of education, anticipated level of education, your prospective job industry, and more. Generally speaking though, the more specific your job goals the better. 

To get started, ask yourself the following questions:

  • What are your interests?
  • What are your natural talents?
  • What level of education are you interested in receiving?
  • What do you value in a work environment?
  • Do you prefer a more structured or flexible work environment?
  • Do you prefer to work alone or as a part of a team? 

Engaging in active self-reflection will help you to realign and readjust your professional goals as you learn more about yourself as a worker. It’s important to remember that goals and preferences can shift over time. Ultimately, this is why it’s important to periodically reflect on your career goals and recalibrate your short and long-term goals if necessary. 

Internships and apprenticeships

Oftentimes the best entry-level jobs with growth potential are internships and apprenticeships. These are also often the best entry-level jobs with no experience required. For most internships and apprenticeships, all you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn! 

Apprenticeships are particularly helpful if you are interested in pursuing a trade. Plumbers, electricians, carpenters, and other trade professionals gain most of their industry knowledge in the field during an apprenticeship.

Overall, internships and apprenticeships are great ways to get your foot in the door and help you find a career you love by providing you with valuable industry-related skills, insights, and knowledge. 

For example, if you are a pre-med student, you will want to maximize your time volunteering, job shadowing, and gaining internships. Not only will these opportunities help distinguish you on your medical school applications, but they will also help you form more precise professional goals. 

The importance of networking and mentorships

The best entry-level job opportunities are those in which you feel like you’re a culture-fit. A culture-fit workplace is a working environment where your personal and professional values align with your company’s and coworkers’ values. These working environments are rife with networking and mentorship opportunities. 

Networking is one of the most important aspects of any successful career. Even if you were on the lookout for the best entry-level jobs in finance or the best entry-level jobs for economics majors and ended up in a position that feels unrelated, remember, networking is key. You never know when someone you interact with may know someone else in your preferred industry. 

For example, if you are working as a restaurant hostess, one of your patrons may have a valuable connection to help you find one of the best entry-level jobs for finance majors or one of the best entry-level jobs for psychology majors. A good reminder to make the most of every situation given to you! 

Cultivating valuable soft job skills

Entry-level jobs will help you develop valuable job skills. Some of these job skills may be industry-specific, but many of these job skills will be “soft job skills.” Remember, all of the job skills you acquire have the potential to be transferable job skills. 

Although counterintuitive, some of the best entry-level jobs for introverts are in the customer service field. This is because confidence is key for any successful profession. You will need to know how to engage confidently and productively with other people while in a work role. 

Let’s take a look at some of the most sought-after soft job skills you will likely develop during an entry-level job:

  • Communication skills
  • Organization Skills
  • Time Management
  • Attention to Detail
  • Problem-Solving Skills
  • Critical Thinking Skills
  • Responsibility
  • Leadership
  • Decision Making
  • Collaboration
  • Active Listening
  • Creativity

You can work towards cultivating these job skills, regardless of your position. Remember, approach everything as a learning opportunity.

Best entry-level jobs (according to industry)

Whether you are looking for the best entry-level business jobs, the best entry-level government jobs, or the best entry-level office jobs, there are valuable lessons to learn from each career opportunity. Take a look at the lists below to help you find meaningful entry-level employment in industries you are interested in.

Medical/health

  • Medical Assistant (MA)
  • Licensed Nursing Assistant (LNA)
  • Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
  • Phlebotomist
  • X-ray technician
  • Caregiver at a nursing home
  • Personal trainer
  • Fitness Instructor
  • Massage therapist

Education/childcare

  • Tutor
  • Substitute teacher
  • Camp counselor
  • ​​After-school program assistant
  • Assistant teacher
  • Paraprofessional
  • Au pair
  • Babysitter

Animal care

  • Veterinary assistant
  • Dog walker
  • Dog trainer
  • Groomer
  • Pet-sitter

Marketing

  • Social media manager
  • Copywriter
  • Copyeditor
  • Public relations associate

Food service

  • Bartender
  • Waitstaff
  • Host/hostess
  • Line cook

Administrative

  • Personal assistant
  • Data entry
  • Secretarial worker
  • Event planner

Sales

  • Insurance sales agent
  • Retail worker 
  • Real estate agent
  • Cashier

Trades

  • Landscaper
  • Construction worker
  • Farm worker
  • Trades apprentice

Financial

  • Financial clerk
  • Tax preparer
  • Data analyst

Technology

  • Tech support staff
  • Graphic designer
  • Web designer

Transportation

  • Flight attendant
  • Delivery driver
  • Uber/Lyft driver

Beauty

  • Hairstylist
  • Makeup artist
  • Nail technician

Key takeaways and moving forward

While you may be on the lookout for the best entry-level jobs with benefits, the best entry-level programming jobs, or the best entry-level sales jobs, it’s important to make the most of every opportunity. Familiarize yourself with 5 writing guidelines to follow when writing a resume and learn about the importance of an applicant tracking system (ATS) in today’s job market. 

Regardless of whether you landed one of the best entry-level tech jobs, or are working at a restaurant or daycare, know that if you engage in active self-reflection and make the most of networking opportunities, you will make meaningful advancements in your career. If you feel like you could benefit from professional guidance, reach out to learn more about our services.

As a parent, it’s important to be aware of the latest college admissions trends and how they may affect your child’s educational prospects. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, colleges have been scrambling to adjust alongside the rest of the world’s highly-selective institutions. From adopting test-optional admissions policies and issuing longer college waitlists to offering remote and hybrid classes, the college admissions landscape has experienced drastic changes in recent years. 

However, preparing to submit college applications remains largely unaffected. The more competitive colleges have the requirements. In this article, we will discuss the financial realities of sending your child to college, in addition to everyday ways you can encourage and guide your child throughout their high school and college planning struggles.

Financial planning for college students

It’s no secret that college costs have dramatically increased. Average tuition in the U.S. in 2022-23 is about $22,953 for public out-of-state colleges, $10,423 in-state, and $39,723 for private colleges, up more than 30% from 2010. This does not include the cost of housing, food, and textbooks. 

Engaging in college financial planning early will help ease the process of sending your child to college. There are lots of saving tips, financial aid, and scholarship options for you to consider when you start searching for colleges. In fact, many competitive colleges are willing to meet 100% of demonstrated needs if your child is accepted.

You should start saving as early as possible by putting your money in a college savings plan. Options such as 529 college savings accounts, Coverdell Education Saving Accounts, Roth IRAs, savings bonds, and custodial accounts will allow you to securely set aside money for your child’s education. Each option comes with distinct advantages and there is likely one that will suit your situation best. The most common is a 529 savings plan which is sponsored by state agencies and educational institutions. There are two types of 529 college savings plans: prepaid tuition plans and education savings plans. Most parents choose to open 529 accounts before their child is in high school.

Talking about the financial reality of going to college is an important conversation to have with your child. This is because most high schoolers struggle to grasp the true expense of going to college without having worked to pay living expenses. Be open about what your finances regarding college are and what your experience with paying for education was. Have honest conversations about what you are willing and able to give your child and what expenses would fall on them to cover. If scholarships don’t cover the full cost, do they understand how loans work? If there are significant financial barriers perhaps a two-year college or trade school would be a better fit. 

Even if your family’s finances are tight, college is not necessarily out of reach. However, it should be a reminder that the more competitive they are as a student, the more financial options they will have moving forward. In other words, a student with high standardized test scores and a high GPA will be more likely to receive need-based and merit-based financial aid.

How to help your child prepare for college while in high school

From advice for high school freshmen to advice for high school seniors, there are lots of ways to support your child while they are in high school. In the following sections, we will review key ways to help your child prepare for college and the college application process. So if you have questions about how to plan for college in high school, read on for further insights. 

Extracurricular activities, volunteer hours, and more

It’s important to realize that more colleges are taking on the holistic college admissions approach. This means that college admissions officers review your child’s entire application — beyond just their GPA and SAT or ACT scores. Not only does this help personalize the college admissions process but it also helps the college admissions board select a diverse incoming student body. Extracurricular activities demonstrated interest, and volunteer hours are important college application factors. Encourage your child to start exploring different clubs, organizations, and clubs as early as their freshman year.

Not only will joining clubs and organizations help your child make friends and explore their interests, but it may also help them to start thinking about their future career goals. Knowing how to help your child choose a college major can be difficult. The best way to help guide them is to encourage them to explore different interests and activities through extracurriculars, volunteerism, internships, and job shadowing opportunities.  

College admissions officers like to see a student’s consistency. In other words, it’s okay — good even — for students to drop the activities they did not enjoy and stick to the ones they did throughout all four years of college. Once your child begins honing down on activities, they can begin to take on larger roles. 

For instance, if your child loves volunteering at the animal shelter, encourage them to organize a fundraiser event at their school. Taking initiative and pioneering events for a cause can give them a leg up in the applicant pool, especially if your child is interested in attending an Ivy League college or a top liberal arts college.   

In addition to helping guide your child through high school extracurricular activities, consider what your child could accomplish during the summer. Summer is a great time to volunteer, gain experience, and participate in the kind of extracurricular activities they enjoy. Look into summer programs for high school students or local non-profit organizations whose mission your child appreciates. Summers are also a good time to encourage your child to seek out internships and job shadowing opportunities.  

What parents need to know about the SAT and ACT

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, many colleges and universities have moved toward a test-optional policy. This refers to SAT and ACT scores being considered, only if the student chooses to submit them. However, if your child chooses to not submit their test scores to an institution, it won’t be held against their application or admission.

Standardized testing is a point of stress for a lot of students. As a parent, you can help keep track of SAT and ACT test dates and locations, as well as provide additional resources to help them prepare for the test. There are plenty of SAT tutoring programs to consider. You may also choose to help them design and commit to an SAT study plan and schedule. 

If your child is struggling with the ACT and SAT even after studying, you may want to explore additional resources available to you. Here at Prepory, we have the resources to help your child succeed, whether that entails knowing the best way to study for the SATs, how to prepare for college interviews, or how to properly research colleges.  

AP, IB, and AICE: What parents need to know about advanced classes

One of the best ways you can help your child stay on track is to be aware of the academic opportunities available to them. Does your child’s high school offer honors, AP, IB, and AICE classes? Learn about what the school offers and how it is weighed in your child’s GPA. Encourage your child to take advanced classes in subjects they have proven to excel in. You want to make sure you’re setting the tone for rigor and challenge. As colleges become increasingly competitive, it’s important to start off on the right foot and be prepared for college-level coursework. 

College admissions officers value students who excel in their classes while taking challenging course loads. That said, it’s important not to overwhelm your child by insisting they take more AP classes than they can reasonably balance. Discuss how many AP classes should your child be taking with your child, as well as your child’s guidance counselor and teachers. 

Consistently check in with your child about their classes. If you feel like your child is struggling, reach out to their teachers to see how you can best assist them. 

Helping your high schooler make a college list & visiting college campuses

Ideally, your child should start thinking about colleges they may want to go to by the end of their sophomore year. That said, making a college list can feel overwhelming, especially since there are currently over 4,000 colleges in the US. 

If your child is struggling to know where to apply to college, help them find a college that is right for them. Talk with your child about the benefits of a liberal arts education, out-of-state opportunities, research universities, specialized universities, state universities, and more. You may also want to discuss the difference between rural, city, and suburban settings. 

You’ll also want to keep an eye out for when your high school hosts a college fair. This is a great event for you to attend with your child. You will meet with college admission officers, and have the opportunity to ask plenty of questions about tuition, financial aid, culture, clubs, dorms, and more.

Visit the colleges on your child’s list during the summer of their sophomore or junior year. Talk with your child about what colleges are top of the list and devise a route to visit them over the summer. Your child will live in or near this campus for 4 years, so it is important for them to see the campus and experience what the culture is like. If finances are an issue, reach out to your child’s school counselor on opportunities for cheap or free college visits. 

College counseling opportunities

The college admissions process is long and complicated. Students often express their feelings of stress, confusion, and being overwhelmed. Motivate your child to stay on track and hold them accountable. One way you can help with this is to encourage your child to build a relationship with their school guidance counselor. 

Depending on your child’s goals for college, you may want to consider hiring a college counselor. A college counselor can help your child present themselves and their high school experiences in the most compelling way possible. As colleges are becoming increasingly competitive, many ambitious students with the financial means will work with college counselors to help them gain admission to their top choice colleges. 

If you are considering hiring a professional, know that there are lots of college counseling services out there. This is why you must know what to look for and what questions to ask before hiring a college counselor. Here at Prepory, not only do we advise high school students with high aspirations, but we also provide expert guidance throughout the entire college application process. 

Key takeaways and moving forward

Preparing for college can be an overwhelming process, for students and parents alike. Especially if your child has high aspirations, with their sights set on attending an Ivy League college or a top liberal arts college. From navigating financial aid to making choices about early action and early decision, the college application process can be incredibly complex. 

Thankfully, there are lots of resources available to help you understand holistic college admissions and what will be expected of students and their families moving forward. If you feel like your child could benefit from professional guidance throughout the college application process, reach out to learn more about our services. Here at Prepory, we have the expertise to help your child reach their full potential, by compiling a compelling and competitive college application.