This article is an excerpt from the book 145 Things to Be When You Grow Up by Jodi Weiss and Russell Kahn.

You're in high school, still quite a few years away from working full-time, but the question "What do you want to be when you grow up?" follows you around like a shadow. It's not easy to know what you want to do in life, let alone how to actually reach that goal, but you can start by considering your answers to the following questions:

• What job will help me be myself?
  
  
• What job will enable me to incorporate my interests, values, and skills?

First, consider your interests. What do you like to do? How do you like to spend your time away from school? What types of books do you like to read? Do you like to build things, draw pictures, or work with numbers? Do you love to act in school plays or have debates with your friends? Only you know what really interests you!

Next, consider what you value in life. Do you like to be in charge, or do you prefer to have someone else guide you? Do you like to be creative? Do you like to take it easy or work really hard? Do you like a lot of variety in your life, or do you like routines? What's more important to you: the amount of money you make or the amount of joy your work brings to others? There's no right or wrong answer, so be honest with yourself.

What about your skills? What are you really great at? Are you a math whiz or a super athlete? Do you get good grades in science? Do you put puzzles and models together faster than most people can get them out of a box? When you talk in front of a group, does the audience hang on your every word?

Whenever you come across a career that interests you, ask yourself if it fits in with your interests, values, and skills. Is it a job that you would enjoy doing all day? Is it a job that suits your values? Will you have the chance to use your strongest talents and skills on the job?

Right Here, Right Now
So take a look at where you are right now - in school, looking toward the future. Before you get to your dream job, you may have a number of hurdles ahead of you, from technical school to college or graduate school. Even so, there are things you can do at this very moment that can get the ball rolling: join clubs, work part-time, or volunteer to learn more about a career.

Will I Use Anything I Learn in High School When I'm Working?
Believe it or not, what you will do in your job has a lot in common with what you learn in high school. For instance, you will need to be on time to your job, just as you need to be on time to class. Many jobs require you to communicate by speaking and writing, just like you do in front of the class and in your reports. In fact, spelling, grammar, reading comprehension, and basic math skills are necessary for succeeding in almost any job. In addition, turning in papers on time, taking tests, and interacting with fellow students will prepare you to meet deadlines, remain calm under pressure, and work well with others.

I'm Already Super Busy. Now I Have to Join a Club, Get a Job, or Volunteer?
Absolutely not. And if you're already busy, you're probably gaining skills that will help you for your future. But if you do have some free time after school and you're really passionate about a subject, consider joining a club or organization. You will meet other folks who share your interests. You may participate in activities that you wouldn't normally get to do during the school day. There are all sorts of clubs, so check out what your school and your community have to offer. If your school doesn't offer a club that suits your interests, consider starting up a club. A teacher can usually help you make it happen.

Volunteering can help you decide if a career is right for you. If you want to be a nurse or a doctor, for example, volunteering at a health care facility or a hospital can help you discover what it's like to work with sick patients. While you won't earn any money as a volunteer, you will learn a great deal.

A part-time job after school or in the summer is a great way to earn money, gain confidence, and experience what it's like to hold a job. If you can get a job that's related to your career goals, great! If not, that's okay. You'll learn a lot from any job - whether you get a part-time job selling popcorn at a movie theater or delivering newspapers.

Being responsible, working well with others, and taking pride in what you do are traits that people in every career need. You can work from one hour to over twenty hours per week, depending on how old you are and what your state allows. Just make sure that your part-time job doesn't take away from your full-time job - school.