If You Have No Plan”My best friend’s nephew just graduated high school. No job. No skills. No clue what comes next.
I get it. I’ve been there—or at least close.
See, I didn’t have the luxury of not choosing. My father made it real simple:
“At 18, you’re either going to college or joining the military.”
That was the deal. That was the expectation. And that early push gave me one of my first long-term goals in life.
I chose college.
And I failed—miserably.
Not because I wasn’t capable. I just wasn’t ready. I didn’t know what I wanted. I didn’t have discipline. I didn’t have direction. Looking back, I should’ve joined the military first.
Gotten some structure. Some maturity. Some real-life skills. Then gone to school with a mission and a clear head.
But hindsight is only helpful if we use it to help someone else avoid the same missteps.
So this is for every high school graduate—or their family—who’s staring into the unknown, wondering what the next move is.
Let me be the one to tell you:
You’re Not Behind. But You Do Need to Choose.
You don’t have to have life figured out at 18. Most people don’t.
But you do have to take action.
The one thing you can’t afford to do is nothing.
Drifting is dangerous. Hanging out “until something comes up” turns into years lost real fast.
When you graduate high school without a plan, it can feel overwhelming. But the truth is, there are really only four lanes you can take:
1. Military
Let’s talk about it straight: the military’s not for everybody. But for a lot of young people, it’s the structure they need.
You get paid to train. You gain discipline. You pick up real-world job skills. You grow up fast. And when you’re done? You’ve got the GI Bill waiting to pay for college or trade school.
Not to mention—you’ll never question whether you can handle pressure again.
2. College
College can be a great move—if you’re ready for it.
Not just academically, but mentally. If you’re going just to “figure it out,” you may end up in debt with nothing to show for it.
But if you’ve got a vision or at least the drive to explore seriously, college is a powerful launchpad.
Especially when it’s funded by scholarships, grants, or military benefits.
3. Trade School
This route doesn’t get the spotlight it deserves.
Plumbers, electricians, HVAC techs, welders—they’re out here printing money.
And they don’t have student loans either.
Trade school is short, affordable, and immediately applicable. It’s a fast track to financial freedom and entrepreneurship.
4. The Workforce
There’s nothing wrong with working straight out of high school—especially if you treat your job like training.
Start earning. Start learning. Save money. Learn how to show up on time, deal with people, and manage your time. If you’re working while also taking night classes or learning a trade, that’s even better.
Plenty of successful people started in the workforce and built from there.
Bonus: Mix & Match
You don’t have to pick just one path forever.
You can join the Guard, go to school part-time, or work while learning a trade.
What matters is that you’re moving.
My Advice to My Best Friend’s Nephew—and Anyone Like Him:
You don’t have to have a dream job or a 10-year plan.
But you do need to pick something. Commit to it. Give it an honest shot.
You can always pivot. But you can’t grow if you stay stuck.
So ask yourself:
What path gives me structure, growth, and opportunity?
Which one pushes me forward—even if it’s not forever?
Because standing still isn’t neutral. It’s going backward.
And you’ve got too much potential for that.
My Advice to My Best Friend’s Nephew—and Anyone Like Him:
You don’t have to have a dream job or a 10-year plan.
But you do need to pick something. Commit to it. Give it an honest shot.
You can always pivot. But you can’t grow if you stay stuck.
Now—If I Were You? This Is What I’d Do:
I’d join the Air National Guard.
It’s the smartest move for someone with no plan and no money. You get structure, income, discipline, and a real-world skill that transfers to the civilian world. And if you’re in Florida? College is free for Guard members. That’s a no-brainer.
Then while in college, I’d join ROTC.
Why? Because it opens even more doors—leadership training, more money, and a potential officer career path if you decide to stay in.
At the same time, I’d pick up a high-income skill that I could use anywhere.
Cut hair. Spin music. Something I can hustle with on weekends or take with me if life changes.
Barber. DJ. Videographer. These are trades that build confidence, relationships, and money.
So let’s break it down:
- Military: Air National Guard
- College: Covered by the state
- Trade: Barber or DJ for lifetime earning potential
- Workforce: You’re in it already by serving and hustling
That’s all four tracks—done at the same time.
You go from no plan to a stacked hand. You get paid, you learn, you grow. You don’t waste time.
And most importantly—you set your own direction.
Final Thought:
You’re not behind.
But don’t sit still.
Pick a lane. Or pick a few. Just don’t pick nothing.
Because the only wrong move at 18…
is no move at all.