Step From High School Into High-Demand Careers

See if a school near you offers career prep.

Please enter a zip code or state.

Outside the U.S.?

Gradate Ready to Take on the Workforce

Students in Career and College Prep turn lessons into life skills with an online curriculum that sets them up to be competitive in the market after graduation. Plus, teens receive guidance tailored to fit their needs and future goals—so they’re ready for the next adventure.  

The program is built into the online high school experience. Alongside core courses and requirements, students take career-specific courses, experience career training and internships opportunities, and find community with other students interested in the same areas.

Exciting Industry Clusters to Study

  • Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources
  • Business Management & Administration
  • Criminal Justice & Community Services
  • Education & Training
  • Engineering & STEM
  • Health Sciences
  • Hospitality & Tourism
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Manufacturing & the Trades
  • Marketing
  • Visual Arts & Communications

Not sure what industry to try? Students can take the Tallo Career Assessment to learn more about what might be a good fit for their skills, interests, and personality. Then, they can talk to their school counselors about how to align their results with specific school offerings and opportunities. And don’t worry, this map isn’t set in stone. If a career pathway choice doesn’t work out, students can change direction.

Stand Out With a Job-Ready Portfolio & Professional Network

Students create a collection of hands-on projects, credentials, demonstrated leadership, and more to highlight their skills to future employers in their desired industry (or college admissions along the way). They gain knowledge and make industry connections through career-specific courses and clubs like Business Professionals of America, HOSA Future Health Professionals, and SkillsUSA.

Invest in Industry Skills With Certification Exam Prep

Teens build the skills needed for the future they want and show employers they’re ready to work—whether applying for a better job right out of high school or advancing later in a career. Professional credentials help negotiate higher salaries and boost credibility. Students can prepare for exams as part of their online coursework at no additional cost.1

Industry Certification Success Stories

Sarah

12th grade student*

“Since I already have all my certificates … I wouldn’t even have to go to college if I didn’t want to. I could get a job as a medical assistant, or a medical scribe, or a phlebotomist. And there’s just so many different opportunities I could do. Even doing the certified nursing assistant class, it helps me not skip a level of college but get there faster because I get to do that in high school already.”

Maxwell

11th grade student**

“In seventh and eighth grade, I was able to take some very broad career classes that gave an overview of a lot of fields and how they are growing, and what they could look like in the future. That allows you to zero in on some interesting career opportunities. After that, I started taking the media arts pathway. I’m working my way through that, where I get to take more specialized courses and do industry-recognized credentials. That is a really helpful preparation tool.”

Herminia

parent***

“We did sixth, seventh, and eighth grade in K12. Then she went to a private school and we came back for eleventh and twelfth. [K12] offers pre-college prep readiness. She actually got to take a certificate for entrepreneurship. She also passed the test for [digital design] so she has that certificate. She took bookkeeping for two semesters. She took four semesters of Spanish. At the end, she had already all her credits except one math and one English. So she took college-ready math and honor roll English, and the rest were electives — accounting, creative writing.”

1/3

Work With Career Coaches to Adjust and Align Your Future Map

High school students team up with career coaches to create their plan and grow their confidence to reach their goals. They build the skills they need to succeed after graduation—job search techniques, interviewing, goal setting, financial aid tips, résumés, and more.

Map icon

Start a Career Journey Today

Find a school near you that offers Career and College Prep and talk to your teen about the opportunities available to get ready for their exciting future.

Search for Schools

Opportunities vary by school; please visit your school page or check with your school counselor. Career and College Prep is primarily a program for high school students, with some exploration components available in middle school. Many Microsoft® Office certificates can be earned after completing one course. Other certificates require more classes to be better prepared, and students who participate in the program for at least two years will have further preparation for certification testing.

1Timing for sufficient exam preparation, necessary prerequisites, and exam fees vary per specific certification. Students should check with their school counselor for details on exam fee coverage opportunities.

*Sarah is a 2025 student at a K12-powered school in CO, and their statement reflects their experience at their school.

**Maxwell is a 2025 student at a K12-powered school in OH, and their statement reflects their experience at their school.

***Herminia is the parent of a 2025 student at a K12-powered school in FL, and their statement reflects their experience at their child’s school.