What Are The Pros and Cons of Beginning Work Directly After High School
What Are The Pros and Cons of Beginning Work Directly After High School
If you’re 17, you aren’t allowed to vote, hold a full driver’s license (in most states), serve in the military, or gamble—and in many ways, society doesn’t fully treat you like an adult until you turn 18 or even 21.
But you’re expected to make one of the most important decisions of your life.
Will you go to college? Or will you begin working directly after high school?
Sure, you’ll get input from your parents, teachers, and friends. But ultimately, the decision is yours. In this article, we’re focusing on the path of entering the workforce right after high school—the pros, the cons, and everything in between.
Before we jump in, if you want a broader view of your options, check out our blog post on career paths after high school.
What You’ll Learn From This Article:
The pros of beginning work directly after high school
The cons of beginning work directly after high school
How to decide whether you should start working or go to college
Quick Note Before We Begin: If you’re feeling the pressure to make a final decision by graduation—breathe. You don’t have to decide everything by 18. Taking time to think, work, explore, or even take a gap year can give you valuable clarity. The key is to stay active and intentional during that time. Don’t just hit pause—keep growing.
The Pros and Cons of Beginning Work Directly After High School
Pro: Avoid Student Debt
Let’s say I offer you two options: walk away from high school with $0 in debt—or sign up to pay back $200,000 over the next few decades. Sounds obvious, right?
College tuition can leave students saddled with massive student loans. And while scholarships and grants help, they’re not guaranteed or available to everyone. By going straight into the workforce, you avoid the financial burden that haunts many college grads well into their 30s and 40s.
Three Things to Know About Student Loans:
Interest May Start While You’re Still in School – Not all loans wait until after graduation to start accumulating interest. Your balance could grow before you even land a job.
Missed Payments Hurt More Than You Think – Falling behind on student loan payments can wreck your credit score and make it harder to rent an apartment or finance a car.
Forgiveness Isn’t a Sure Thing – Programs that promise loan forgiveness often have strict, confusing requirements and low approval rates. Don’t count on them.
Con: Limited Career Advancement Without a Degree
Let’s say you work hard, prove yourself, and stay loyal to your company. After ten years, you’re ready for a leadership role. But the promotion goes to someone younger—with less experience—but who has a degree.
Is it fair? No. Is it reality? Often, yes.
Many employers still require or favor a college degree, especially for management or senior-level roles. And if your boss went to the same university as your competitor, you may be out of luck—regardless of your performance.
What You Can Do:
Get certified: Online or in-person certifications in high-demand areas (IT, project management, digital marketing) can boost your credibility.
Take advantage of tuition assistance: Some companies will help you go back to school later—on their dime.
Pro: Earn Money Sooner
You know what builds wealth? Time. The earlier you start making money, the earlier you can save, invest, and build a solid financial foundation.
While your peers are taking out loans and buying textbooks, you could be:
Saving for a house or a car
Investing in a Roth IRA or retirement account
Building a business or freelancing
Paying cash for certifications or part-time college classes
Let’s do the math: If you earn $30,000/year right out of high school, you could earn $120,000 in four years. Meanwhile, someone in college is potentially accumulating debt and missing out on that income.
That head start can create long-term financial advantages, especially if you’re smart with your money.
Con: Fewer Job Openings Without a Degree
Scan job listings on any employment site and you’ll see it: “Bachelor’s degree required.”
Despite changes in hiring trends, the vast majority of professional roles still list a college degree as a requirement. Even if you’re qualified in every other way, your application might be filtered out before it’s seen by a human.
To Get Around This:
Target industries where experience matters more – Think trades, sales, hospitality, logistics, or creative fields.
Lean into skills and certifications – The more specific and marketable your skills, the less a degree matters.
Start small – Get in the door with an entry-level job and work your way up.
Pro: Real-World Experience Right Away
Nothing beats learning on the job. While others are in classrooms, you’re building practical skills, networking with professionals, and gaining real experience that translates directly into your resume.
By the time your peers graduate college, you could already have four years of experience in your industry, which can sometimes carry more weight than a degree.
Real-world experience also helps you figure out what you don’t want to do—something many college students don’t discover until after graduation.
Con: Social and Networking Opportunities Are More Limited
College isn’t just about academics—it’s a place to meet people, build connections, and expand your worldview. Campus events, student organizations, and alumni networks offer opportunities that are harder to replicate if you skip college.
When you enter the workforce right away, you may find your peer group shrinking as your friends go off to school and you begin working full-time. It can feel isolating at times.
How to Build a Network Without College:
Attend local events and meetups in your industry
Connect on LinkedIn and be proactive about networking
Volunteer or join professional organizations
How to Decide If Working After High School Is Right for You
This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about what’s right for you. Here are a few questions to help you figure it out:
Do you know what kind of work you want to do? If you already have a direction—like a trade, sales, or creative field—jumping into work might be a smart move.
Are you financially prepared for college? If you’re facing huge debt with no clear ROI, it might be worth delaying or skipping college for now.
Are you self-motivated? Working right after high school requires drive. You’ll need to seek out opportunities, develop your skills, and possibly learn on your own.
Can you explore hybrid options? Some people work full-time and attend school part-time. Others go to trade school or get certifications that lead to well-paying jobs with less time and cost.
Final Thoughts
Working right after high school isn’t a fallback plan—it’s a valid and often strategic choice. You can avoid debt, gain real-world experience, and start building your financial future early. But it’s not without its challenges.
If you go this route, you’ll need to be proactive. Seek out growth, keep learning, and never stop building your skills.
Whether you start working, go to college, or try something in between—what matters most is that you keep moving forward with intention.
Need help building your career strategy? Visit yourcareerstrategy.com for guides, tools, and coaching to help you make your next move with confidence.