Employment & Career Opportunities

Build Experience. Develop Skills. Take Your Next Step.

Planning to work after high school? Employment can help you earn income, build experience, and develop skills for your future. Whether you’re looking for your first job or exploring a long-term career, start by learning about your options and preparing to apply.

Understand Your Options

Entry-Level Employment
Jobs that may require little or no previous experience and can help you build workplace skills.

On-the-Job Training
Training provided by an employer while you work. Ask about paid training, certifications, and opportunities to advance.

Work While Continuing Your Education
Combine employment with technical training, college classes, or other learning opportunities.

Discover Your Interests & Strengths

YouScience — Explore your strengths and career possibilities. Follow Granger’s school login instructions. Ask your counselor if you need help accessing your account.
My Next Move — Explore careers, job duties, and preparation requirements, or complete an interest assessment.
Mi Próximo Paso — Explore career information in Spanish.

Find Jobs & Career Support

Utah Department of Workforce Services — Find job-search resources, career support, job fairs, and workshops.
Utah Job Search Tools — Explore job openings, employers, wages, and training requirements.
CareerOneStop — Explore careers and access resources for training, résumés, and job searches.
Employer Career Pages — Visit the official websites of businesses you’re interested in. Look for sections labeled “Careers,” “Jobs,” or “Employment.”

Explore Training That Can Lead to Employment

Job Corps — Explore free career training and education for eligible young adults ages 16–24. Review eligibility requirements and program details.
Apprenticeship Utah — Explore opportunities to combine paid work with career training.

For additional options, visit our Technical Training & Apprenticeships page.

Prepare Your Résumé & References

Your résumé introduces your skills, experience, and accomplishments to an employer.

☐ Include your name, phone number, and a professional email address.

☐ List your education and relevant classes or certifications.

☐ Include work experience, volunteering, school projects, clubs, or leadership roles.

☐ Describe your skills using specific examples.

☐ Check spelling and formatting.

☐ Ask two or three trusted adults if they’re willing to serve as references. Keep their contact information on a separate reference sheet.

Get Ready to Interview

Practice answering these questions:

Tell me about yourself.
Why are you interested in this job?
What strengths would you bring to our team?
Tell me about a time you solved a problem or worked with others.
What days and hours are you available?

Prepare questions to ask the employer:

What training will I receive?
What does a typical shift look like?
What are the pay and expected hours?
Are there opportunities to advance?

Find a Job That Fits

Before applying, review each opportunity carefully.

☐ What tasks will I do?

☐ What are the minimum age, education, and experience requirements?

☐ What is the pay, and how many hours can I expect?

☐ Will the schedule fit my school and other responsibilities?

☐ How will I get to work?

☐ Does the employer provide training or opportunities to advance?

☐ How do I apply, and what documents do I need?

Take Your Next Step

Choose one action to move forward:

Create or update your résumé.
Ask someone to be a reference.
Practice an interview with a trusted adult.
Find two job openings and review their requirements.
Submit an application through an employer’s official website.
Meet with your school counselor for support.

Write down your next step and a date to complete it. Keep track of your applications, check your email and voicemail regularly, and respond professionally to employers.

Complete the Exit Survey

After exploring your options, complete the exit survey to share what interests you, what you learned, and what support you need next.

EXIT SURVEY

Your Granger counselors are here to help you build a plan and take your next step toward your future!

Work & Learn: Employers That Help Pay for Education

A job may help you pay for your education while you earn income and build experience. These employers operate in Utah and offer education benefits for eligible employees.

Employer & Program	Education Benefit
Starbucks — College Achievement Plan	Covers 100% of tuition upfront for an eligible employee’s first bachelor’s degree through Arizona State University’s online programs.
Walmart — Live Better U	Offers tuition and required-book assistance for eligible degrees, certificates, and other approved programs.
Target — Dream to Be	Offers tuition-free education options through Guild, including selected degrees, certificates, and other programs.
Amazon — Career Choice	Prepays tuition and provides reimbursement for approved books and fees, up to an annual maximum, for eligible employees and programs.
UPS — Earn & Learn	Offers up to $5,250 per calendar year in tuition assistance, with a $25,000 lifetime maximum. Available at selected locations.
McDonald’s — Archways to Opportunity	Offers tuition assistance and other education support to eligible employees at participating restaurants. Ask the restaurant manager about participation.