Global 
Picture yourself in each career lane.
For each profession: the AP courses and rigorous schedule to take in high school, activities, years of study, exams and licenses, costs, pay, job growth, the skills and strengths it needs, and where it can lead. Tick “Is this lane for me?” to see your fit, and download any lane as a PDF.
Pay and job outlook from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025 data, projections to 2035). Checked October 2026.
Compare at a glance
| Career | Years after high school | Median pay (May 2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Physician | 11–15 | $275,930 |
| Pharmacist | 6–8 | $140,910 |
| Physician assistant | 6–7 | $135,880 |
| Software developer | 4 | $135,980 |
| Aerospace engineer | 4 | $134,960 |
| Lawyer | 7 | $159,670 |
| Financial analyst | 4 | $103,570 |
| Mechanical engineer | 4 | $104,110 |
| Architect | 5–8 incl. internship | $99,280 |
| Registered nurse | 4 | $97,550 |
| Accountant (CPA) | about 6 incl. experience | $83,680 |
| High school teacher | 4–5 | $72,040 |
Pay is the national median for the occupation: half earn more, half less. Years include required internships or residency where noted.
Healthcare
Care for people’s health: diagnose, treat, nurse, prescribe and prevent illness, in hospitals, clinics, pharmacies and communities.
Recommended AP courses
Take the most rigorous courses you can do well in. Not every school offers every AP; honors, IB or dual-enrollment courses count too.
Skills to build
- Science reasoning
- Empathy and clear communication
- Attention to detail
- Teamwork under pressure
- Ethics and trust
Activities and competitions
- HOSA (Future Health Professionals)
- Hospital, clinic or nursing-home volunteering
- Shadowing a doctor, nurse, PA or pharmacist
- Science Olympiad or a research project
- CPR / First Aid certification
- Red Cross youth clubs and blood drives
Opportunities
- Specialties from pediatrics to surgery
- Public health and global health
- Research and biotech
- Healthcare management
- Rural and community care with loan-repayment programs
A rigorous four-year schedule (example)
| Grade 9 | Biology (honors), Algebra I or Geometry, English 9, world language, health |
| Grade 10 | Chemistry (honors), Geometry or Algebra II, English 10, AP Psychology or world history |
| Grade 11 | AP Biology, Precalculus or AP Precalculus, AP English Language, AP U.S. History, world language |
| Grade 12 | AP Chemistry or AP Physics 1, AP Calculus or AP Statistics, anatomy and physiology, English 12 |
After high school: years, exams, costs and pay
| Career | Years of study | Exams and licenses | Typical costs | Median pay | Job growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Physician (MD or DO) | 4 years college + 4 years medical school + 3–7 years residency = 11–15 years | MCAT; USMLE or COMLEX licensing exams; board certification | Medical school median cost of attendance (4 years): about $297,700 public and $408,200 private (AAMC, Class of 2025) | $275,930 | 4% (as fast as average) |
| Physician assistant (PA) | 4 years college (with patient-care hours) + about 27 months PA school ≈ 6–7 years | PANCE certification exam; state license | PA program tuition about $57,000–$92,000 on average, by school type (2025–26 estimates) | $135,880 | 21% (much faster than average) |
| Pharmacist (PharmD) | 2–4 years of college prerequisites + 4-year PharmD ≈ 6–8 years | NAPLEX and state law exam | Varies widely; one public example is about $20,000 a year in-state and $46,000 out of state | $140,910 | 5% (faster than average) |
| Registered nurse (BSN) | 4-year Bachelor of Science in Nursing (an associate degree is another route) | NCLEX-RN; state license | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $97,550 | 6% (faster than average) |
Median pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Growth: BLS projections 2025–35. Pay varies by location, experience and employer. Costs are averages before financial aid.
Engineering
Design and build the things the world runs on: machines, electronics, bridges, energy systems, medicines and spacecraft.
Recommended AP courses
Take the most rigorous courses you can do well in. Not every school offers every AP; honors, IB or dual-enrollment courses count too.
Skills to build
- Math and physics
- Design thinking and prototyping
- Programming and data
- Teamwork and project management
- Clear technical writing
Activities and competitions
- FIRST Robotics or VEX Robotics
- Science Olympiad
- Technology Student Association (TSA)
- Science fair / engineering research
- Math competitions (MATHCOUNTS, AMC)
- Maker projects you can show in a portfolio
Opportunities
- Clean energy and electric vehicles
- Space and aviation
- Semiconductors and robotics
- Biomedical devices
- Infrastructure and smart cities
A rigorous four-year schedule (example)
| Grade 9 | Geometry or Algebra II, Biology or physical science, English 9, intro engineering or computer science |
| Grade 10 | Algebra II or Precalculus, Chemistry (honors), English 10, AP Computer Science Principles |
| Grade 11 | Precalculus or AP Calculus AB, AP Physics 1, AP Chemistry, AP English Language |
| Grade 12 | AP Calculus BC, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Computer Science A or AP Statistics, English 12 |
After high school: years, exams, costs and pay
| Career | Years of study | Exams and licenses | Typical costs | Median pay | Job growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical engineer | 4-year bachelor’s in engineering (ABET-accredited) | FE exam, then PE license after about 4 years of experience (optional for many jobs) | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $104,110 | Engineering overall: much faster than average |
| Electrical / electronics engineer | 4-year bachelor’s | FE / PE (optional for many jobs) | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $125,040 | Engineering overall: much faster than average |
| Civil engineer | 4-year bachelor’s | FE and PE (often required to sign off on public projects) | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $100,840 | Engineering overall: much faster than average |
| Aerospace / chemical engineer | 4-year bachelor’s; a master’s helps for research roles | FE / PE (optional for many jobs) | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $134,960 / $125,040 | Engineering overall: much faster than average |
Median pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Growth: BLS projections 2025–35. Pay varies by location, experience and employer. Costs are averages before financial aid.
Accounting (CPA)
Keep organizations honest and healthy with numbers: audit, tax, financial planning and advising businesses and families.
Recommended AP courses
Take the most rigorous courses you can do well in. Not every school offers every AP; honors, IB or dual-enrollment courses count too.
Skills to build
- Math and spreadsheets
- Accuracy and integrity
- Business writing
- Data analysis and accounting software
- Client communication
Activities and competitions
- FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America)
- DECA
- Business Professionals of America (BPA)
- Treasurer of a club
- Volunteer tax help or school store bookkeeping
- Personal finance or investing challenges
Opportunities
- Public accounting and audit firms
- Tax and forensic accounting
- Corporate finance, CFO track
- Government and nonprofits
- Starting your own practice
A rigorous four-year schedule (example)
| Grade 9 | Algebra I or Geometry, English 9, intro to business or personal finance |
| Grade 10 | Geometry or Algebra II, English 10, accounting I (if offered), world history |
| Grade 11 | Precalculus or AP Statistics, AP English Language, AP U.S. History, accounting II |
| Grade 12 | AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, AP Calculus AB or AP Statistics, English 12 |
After high school: years, exams, costs and pay
| Career | Years of study | Exams and licenses | Typical costs | Median pay | Job growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certified Public Accountant (CPA) | 4-year accounting degree (120 credit hours) + 2 years of experience, OR 150 credit hours (often a 5-year bachelor’s + master’s) + 1 year of experience, depending on your state | Uniform CPA Exam (3 core sections + 1 discipline); ethics exam in many states | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. A master’s year adds cost if you choose the 150-hour route. | $83,680 (accountants and auditors) | 5% (faster than average) |
Median pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Growth: BLS projections 2025–35. Pay varies by location, experience and employer. Costs are averages before financial aid.
Business
Lead teams, build products and companies, manage money and markets, and help organizations grow.
Recommended AP courses
Take the most rigorous courses you can do well in. Not every school offers every AP; honors, IB or dual-enrollment courses count too.
Skills to build
- Leadership and communication
- Data and financial analysis
- Negotiation and sales
- Strategy and problem solving
- Resilience
Activities and competitions
- DECA
- FBLA
- Junior Achievement
- Start a small business or a seva project with real results
- Model UN or debate
- Internship or part-time job
Opportunities
- Entrepreneurship and startups
- Finance and investment
- Consulting
- Marketing and product management
- Supply chain and operations
A rigorous four-year schedule (example)
| Grade 9 | Algebra I or Geometry, English 9, intro to business or entrepreneurship |
| Grade 10 | Algebra II, English 10, world history, marketing or computer applications |
| Grade 11 | Precalculus or AP Statistics, AP English Language, AP U.S. History, AP Psychology |
| Grade 12 | AP Microeconomics and AP Macroeconomics, AP Calculus AB, AP Seminar or government |
After high school: years, exams, costs and pay
| Career | Years of study | Exams and licenses | Typical costs | Median pay | Job growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Financial analyst | 4-year bachelor’s (finance, economics, business) | Optional: CFA charter; securities licenses for some roles | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $103,570 | Business and financial overall: faster than average |
| Management analyst / consultant | 4-year bachelor’s; many earn an MBA later | Optional: MBA, CMC | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $101,860 | Business and financial overall: faster than average |
| Project management specialist | 4-year bachelor’s | Optional: PMP certification | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $102,320 | Business and financial overall: faster than average |
| Market research analyst | 4-year bachelor’s | — | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $78,760 | Business and financial overall: faster than average |
Median pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Growth: BLS projections 2025–35. Pay varies by location, experience and employer. Costs are averages before financial aid.
IT and Computer Science
Build software, AI and data systems, and keep computers and networks secure.
Recommended AP courses
Take the most rigorous courses you can do well in. Not every school offers every AP; honors, IB or dual-enrollment courses count too.
Skills to build
- Programming (Python, Java, JavaScript)
- Algorithms and math
- Data and AI literacy
- Cybersecurity basics
- Teamwork and product sense
Activities and competitions
- USA Computing Olympiad (USACO)
- CyberPatriot
- Hackathons
- Congressional App Challenge
- Build and publish an app or website
- Robotics programming team
Opportunities
- Artificial intelligence and machine learning
- Cybersecurity
- Cloud and data engineering
- Games and product design
- Startups
A rigorous four-year schedule (example)
| Grade 9 | Geometry or Algebra II, English 9, intro to computer science, science |
| Grade 10 | Algebra II or Precalculus, AP Computer Science Principles, Chemistry or Physics, English 10 |
| Grade 11 | Precalculus or AP Calculus AB, AP Computer Science A, AP Physics 1, AP English Language |
| Grade 12 | AP Calculus BC or AP Statistics, advanced CS / data science elective, English 12 |
After high school: years, exams, costs and pay
| Career | Years of study | Exams and licenses | Typical costs | Median pay | Job growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Software developer | 4-year bachelor’s in computer science or related field | Optional cloud and platform certifications | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $135,980 | 10% (much faster than average) |
| Information security analyst | 4-year bachelor’s | Optional: Security+, CISSP later | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $129,180 | Computer and IT overall: faster than average |
| Computer and information research scientist (AI) | Bachelor’s + master’s or PhD | — | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. Funded PhD programs often pay a stipend. | $140,300 | Computer and IT overall: faster than average |
Median pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Growth: BLS projections 2025–35. Pay varies by location, experience and employer. Costs are averages before financial aid.
Law
Advise, write and argue for people and organizations: courts, contracts, policy, justice and public service.
Recommended AP courses
Take the most rigorous courses you can do well in. Not every school offers every AP; honors, IB or dual-enrollment courses count too.
Skills to build
- Reading and writing
- Logical reasoning
- Public speaking
- Research
- Ethics and judgment
Activities and competitions
- Mock Trial
- Speech and debate (National Speech & Debate Association)
- Model UN
- Student government
- Youth court or law-firm shadowing
- School newspaper
Opportunities
- Corporate and technology law
- Public interest and civil rights
- Government, policy and judiciary
- Immigration and international law
- Compliance and business leadership
A rigorous four-year schedule (example)
| Grade 9 | English 9 (honors), Algebra I or Geometry, world history, world language |
| Grade 10 | English 10 (honors), Algebra II, world language, AP Psychology or civics |
| Grade 11 | AP English Language, AP U.S. History, AP Seminar, Precalculus |
| Grade 12 | AP English Literature, AP U.S. Government and Politics, AP Macroeconomics, statistics |
After high school: years, exams, costs and pay
| Career | Years of study | Exams and licenses | Typical costs | Median pay | Job growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyer | 4 years college (any major) + 3 years law school = about 7 years | LSAT (or GRE at some schools); state bar exam | Law school tuition averages about $33,200 a year at public schools (residents) and $56,200 at private schools (2025–26 estimates), plus living costs | $159,670 | 5% (faster than average) |
Median pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Growth: BLS projections 2025–35. Pay varies by location, experience and employer. Costs are averages before financial aid.
Other paths
Teaching, architecture and many more careers. Use these as examples, and explore every career in the official Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Recommended AP courses
Take the most rigorous courses you can do well in. Not every school offers every AP; honors, IB or dual-enrollment courses count too.
Skills to build
- Communication
- Creativity and design
- Patience and organization
- Technology tools
- Lifelong learning
Activities and competitions
- Tutoring and peer mentoring
- Educators Rising / future teachers clubs
- Art, design and architecture camps
- Habitat for Humanity builds
- SkillsUSA
- Portfolio of your best work
Opportunities
- Education and school leadership
- Architecture and urban design
- Creative and media careers
- Public service and nonprofits
- Explore hundreds more in the Occupational Outlook Handbook
A rigorous four-year schedule (example)
| Grade 9 | Core English, math, science and history; art or design elective |
| Grade 10 | Continue core sequence; one elective in your interest area |
| Grade 11 | 2–3 APs connected to your interest; leadership role |
| Grade 12 | Advanced electives; build a portfolio or tutoring record |
After high school: years, exams, costs and pay
| Career | Years of study | Exams and licenses | Typical costs | Median pay | Job growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High school teacher | 4-year bachelor’s + teacher preparation and student teaching | State teaching license (many states use Praxis exams) | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $72,040 | 0% (little change); about 63,500 openings a year |
| Architect | 5-year B.Arch, or a bachelor’s + M.Arch; plus about 3 years of paid internship | Architect Registration Examination (ARE); state license | Undergraduate tuition and fees average about $11,950 a year at in-state public universities, $31,880 out of state and $45,000 at private nonprofit universities (College Board, 2025–26), before housing and aid. | $99,280 | 4% (as fast as average) |
Median pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2025. Growth: BLS projections 2025–35. Pay varies by location, experience and employer. Costs are averages before financial aid.
Still deciding?
Try three career conversations, a job-shadow day or a summer program in your top two lanes. A Global Yuva coach can help you build a four-year plan.
Disclaimer: This information is for informational purposes only. It is not career, financial or admissions advice. Requirements, costs and pay change and vary by state, school and employer; confirm with official sources such as the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, licensing boards and each school.