Practical Career Planning

For LDS Youth

Teenagers today are inundated with information on applying for and getting into college. But once they start college, they're basically on their own in choosing a career path that will meet their future needs.

There have been many changes in higher education and the job market that make it more important than ever for teens to plan ahead: tuition is much more expensive than it used to be, many high-paying careers now require graduate education, and not all majors lead to realistic employment options.

I believe that alongside activities such as preparing for the ACT and taking campus tours, teens also need to proactively explore career options. I have designed this course to help parents and teens work on this task together.

Your Instructor


Lori Yancey
Lori Yancey

Lori Yancey holds bachelor's degrees in English and Human Development and a master's degree in English. She enjoys working with young adults in a college setting and has taught at Brigham Young University, in the Pathway program, and as an online instructor for Brigham Young University-Idaho.



Frequently Asked Questions


Which age group is this course best suited for?
This class is geared towards high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. It could also be helpful for college freshmen who have not yet selected a major.
How much of a time commitment is this course?
The course is completely self-paced: you can start whenever you want and take as long as you need to finish. Some lessons are short, with just a few quick readings and discussion questions. Other lessons are longer because they involve outside work like interviewing an adult about their job. Because high school is so busy, I suggest doing one lesson a week during summer vacation or finding some free Saturdays during the school year to go over the material.
Why is this a parent-child course?
I've designed this as a parent-child course because you know your child well and will be able to give in-person feedback specific to his or her situation and strengths. Working on the class together will also give your child a chance to practice gathering information, seeking advice from mentors, and going forward in faith.
Will this course push my child to decide on a career too early?
No. We will focus on cultivating a career planning mindset, not necessarily picking out one particular career to pursue. I think it's actually less pressure for teens to start exploring options now because they don't need to hurry and pick a major. If they follow the advice in this course, they should enter college with one or two areas they would like to try out further.
Is the course really free?
Yes! This course is my gift to you and your child. I hope that it helps your teen on their journey to a practical and fulfilling career. If you find the course helpful, I would appreciate you sharing it with others. I also welcome feedback on areas that could be improved.

Get started now!