1 . Right now you probably spend most of your time in school. Do you wonder what you are going to do after high school? Will you continue to go to school? Will you learn a trade? Perhaps it is time to think about your choices and to prepare for them. Some day work will be a big part of your life.

What kind of job would be right for you? Think about your interests and your skills. You may like to listen to music, dance, play basketball, or work with computers. You may know how to drive a car or how to get along with people. Knowing both your interests and skills will help make a better plan for your career.

To get an idea of what work you would like to do, make a list of your interests and a list of your skills. Think about what you have done to be successful in your interests. After that, brainstorm a list of career choices that might match your interests and skills. You can later keep your lists with the projects and documents (文件) that can help you achieve the career you want.

They can help you know more clearly about your achievements in school and in the world of work. Roberta Zhan, an art designer, finds her work satisfying because it allows her to use her interests and skills. She enjoyed imagining something in her minds eye while she was in school. She took art, design, and computer lessons, and also learned about taking photos on her own.

Here is what she says about the meaning of work: “If you have a job you like, work means much more than just making money. It means using your talents, making a contribution (贡献), and getting a real sense of satisfaction from doing a job.”

2 . 17-year-old Brennan Agranoff, a colorblind boy, started his custom sock business in middle school, with a small loan (贷款) he got from his Parents. Up till now, he has sold over I million worth of socks onlinein the last four years.

Brennan thought of the idea for his custom sock company at just 13 years old. He was attending a high school basketball game in his hometown of Sherwood, Oregon, and noticed that many kids his age were wearing the same white Nike sport socks. The boy told himself that if these white plain socks were so popular with kids,then some cool custom designs would surely be an even greater hit.

But the boy didn’t tell his parents about the business idea immediately. He spent six months researching things like printing machines and technology and drawing up a business plan. Only when he had everything planned out did he ask his parents for a loan. “They thought the idea was a little out there,” Brennan recently told CNN Money, but he kept pushing, and finally received a S 3,000 loan to start his company. Then he began to work on his own designs. The fact that he was colorblind didnt stop him and he has created over 200 designs now.

Business was slow the first year, but then Brennan started pushing his Hoopswagg products heavily on the other Internet. Orders soon started coming in in large numbers, and Hoopswagg became a popular brand among custom sock lovers. Right now, his designs can be found on Hoopswagg website, Amazon and eBay.

Four years after starting his business, Brennan has achieved great success while balancing schoolhouse chores and his social life. And he says he loved every minute of it.