Be a Future Ready Grad.
Navigate career-connected learning in New Orleans.
You have more options today than ever before for what comes next. YouthForce NOLA is here to help New Orleans public school students access the resources they need to explore careers, make a concrete plan, and confidently pursue a wide range of opportunities.
What is Career-Connected Learning?
Career-connected learning is exactly what it sounds like: it’s learning opportunities that prepare you for life after high school. You may have heard of it as career and technical education (CTE). Whether you’re at school or at home, you can explore careers, nurture soft skills, engage in hands-on learning, earn credentials and college credit, gain real work experience, and build your professional networks!
Exploring Career Options
We provide students with unparalleled opportunities to explore and prepare for successful careers, particularly in good-paying, high-demand jobs from our four skill clusters. From pathway guides to internships, our programs are designed to help students discover their passions and build the skills they need for a bright future. Here are some careers for you to start exploring:
Health Sciences
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Typical Pay: $19.50/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or post- secondary training
Soft Skills:
Compassionate
People-person
Good listener
Enjoys biology
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential at New Orleans Career Center or with GEMS
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Typical Pay: $15.26/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or post-secondary training
Soft Skills:
Communication
Enjoys working with people
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential at New Orleans Career Center
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Typical Pay: $27.31/hour
Level of Education: Associate’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Enjoys working with people and being part of a team
How to prepare in high school: Take advanced science courses and/or dual enrollment courses
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Typical Pay: $35.37/hour
Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Strong communicator
Enjoys fast-paced environment
How to prepare in high school: Take advanced science courses; take pre-nursing courses at New Orleans Career Center
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Typical Pay: $43.21/hour
Level of Education: Advanced Degree (Master’s)
Soft Skills:
Strong communicator
Enjoys helping people
How to prepare in high school: Take advanced science courses
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Typical Pay: $45.01/hour
Level of Education: Advanced Degree (Doctorate)
Soft Skills:
Great motivator
Strong communication and people skills
How to prepare in high school: Take advanced science courses
Skilled Crafts
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Typical Pay: $26.39/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential
Soft Skills:
Enjoys hands-on work
Strong attention to detail
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential at New Orleans Career Center
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Typical Pay: $26.18/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential
Soft Skills:
Enjoys hands-on work
Strong attention to detail
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential at New Orleans Career Center
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Typical Pay: $36.81/hour
Level of Education: Associate’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Enjoys hands-on work
Strong math skills
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential and/or take dual enrollment courses
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Typical Pay: $23.25/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential and Post-secondary training
Soft Skills:
Enjoys hands-on work
Strong attention to detail
Math skills
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential at New Orleans Career Center
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Typical Pay: $49.32/hour
Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Soft Skills:
Goal-oriented
Leader
Quick thinking and calm under pressure
How to prepare in high school: Take classes in business, skilled crafts, or engineering
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Typical Pay: $43.00/hour
Level of Education: Bachelor’s or Advanced Degree
Soft Skills:
Problem-solver
Detail-oriented
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential at New Orleans Career Center
Digital Media & IT
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Typical Pay: $21.09/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Creative
Enjoys art and design
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential with NOVAC, New Orleans Career Center, or at your high school
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Typical Pay: $24.15/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or Associate’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Strong attention to detail
Thinks outside the box
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential with Operation Spark
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Typical Pay: $39.19/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Enjoys research and problem solving
Attention to detail
How to prepare in high school: Take courses in cybersecurity
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Typical Pay: $27.70/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Creative
Enjoys problem solving
Attention to detail
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential with Operation Spark
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Typical Pay: $37.16/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Creative
Enjoys problem solving
Attention to detail
How to prepare in high school: Earn an industry-based credential with Operation Spark
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Typical Pay: $49.24/hour
Level of Education: Industry-based credential or Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Task-oriented
Strong attention to detail
How to prepare in high school: strong attention to detail
© Gates Archive/Christiana Botic
Business Services
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Typical Pay: $16.59/hour
Level of Education: High school diploma
Soft Skills:
Strong communication skills
Task-oriented
How to prepare in high school: Take business classes with a customer service focus
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Typical Pay: $18.47/hour
Level of Education: High school diploma
Soft Skills:
Analytical
Organized and efficient
How to prepare in high school: Take business classes
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Typical Pay: $18.47/hour
Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Strong communication skills
Creative
How to prepare in high school: Take business classes
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Typical Pay: $35.24/hour
Level of Education: Bachelor’s Degree
Soft Skills:
Analytical and organized
Rule-oriented
How to prepare in high school: Take business classes
Watch Start Your Career as an EMS
Watch Nyka Scott on Pursuing a Corporate Career -
Typical Pay: $44.40/hour
Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Soft Skills:
Analytical and organized
Rule-oriented
How to prepare in high school: Take business classes
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Typical Pay: $57.28/hour
Level of Education: Bachelor's Degree
Soft Skills:
Strong communication skills
Creative
How to prepare in high school: Take business classes with a marketing focus
Get Future Ready
We want every public school graduate in New Orleans to thrive in a meaningful, good-paying career. Use the following steps to complete your Future Ready checklist!
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You can’t apply for a job if you don’t know it exists. Career exposure opportunities provide you with the knowledge of various careers, including good-paying local jobs.
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YouthForce NOLA trains our partners to nurture the soft skills necessary for your success at school, on the job, and in life.
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Industry-based credentials (sometimes called IBCs) are certifications created by industries to confirm that you have mastered the critical skills necessary to be an effective employee in a specific job or career.
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You can take these free courses to get a head start on college coursework at most open-enrollment high schools in New Orleans. Most students start taking these classes in 10th or 11th grade.
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Internships are one of the best ways to discover if a career is a good fit for you, learn practical skills, and make connections with local employers. Learn about YouthForce NOLA’s internship or explore additional opportunities with your school or city agencies.
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Building relationships with industry experts and local employers can open doors to job opportunities and chances to learn new skills. YouthForce NOLA connects schools and businesses so you can start building a professional network before graduating from high school.
Step 1: Middle School
Starting in middle school, think through your plans for the future. What subjects are you excited or feel curious about? What do you enjoy doing outside of school? How might you be able to turn these interests into a career?
Start researching and exploring! Your school counselors, advisors, or teachers can help you find more information on career pathways (including those below) and opportunities. You can also use tools like the state’s Individual Graduation Plan to help you stay on track academically. Meanwhile, practice soft skills like time management, teamwork, problem-solving, active listening, and adaptability.
Step 2: Early High School
Join us at our annual Career Expo! This opportunity is organized directly with schools through YouthForce NOLA and Junior Achievement’s Future Connect program, so if you’re in a New Orleans public high school, you’ll automatically come to the Expo. Meet with over 75 employers and training providers, explore careers in fields like healthcare, IT, and skilled trades, and practice networking with local professionals.
In the second part of your sophomore year, you can also start signing up for free technical training offered at most New Orleans high schools. Work with your advisor or school counselor to learn more about the courses you should take now to qualify for future opportunities like dual enrollment, credential programs, and internships.
Did you know? YouthForce NOLA students and their families saved over $800,000 in tuition by earning dual enrollment credits or credit for prior learning.
Step 3: Late High School
Now is the time to start getting hands-on! During your last two years of high school, you can start taking advantage of real-world opportunities, including earning college credits and credentials with our technical training providers. Your school’s advisors should be able to help you sign up for courses.
Technical Training Opportunities
New Orleans Career Center is our city’s hub for high-quality technical education and training graduates. Learn about their programs in Building Trades, Digital Media, Engineering, and Healthcare.
NOVAC provides digital media education, training, resources, and more through engaging and relevant coursework.
GEMS offers training and coursework to high school students interested in emergency medical responder and emergency medical technician career pathways.
Operation Spark is a software training center on a mission to provide opportunities for upward mobility through skills training and job placement in software engineering.
Did you know? YouthForce NOLA is proud to invest more than $1 million annually to support our best-in-class training providers to expand and sustain their programming.
YouthForce NOLA Internship
As a rising senior, you’ll also be able to participate in the YouthForce NOLA Internship. We have partnerships with over 250 local businesses that will provide you with a paid summer internship, giving you hands-on job experience and building your professional network.
Step 4: Beyond High School
Career-connected learning doesn’t stop at high school. If you’re not ready to enter the workforce yet, there are several ways to keep building your skills, including:
Bridge year programs
Advanced training and apprenticeships
Associate’s and bachelor's degree programs
Graduate school programs
You can continue learning about job opportunities in our region through the Greater New Orleans Career Guide.
Latest News
Stories, updates, and perspectives on the work connecting New Orleans students to careers and opportunity.
