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At this point, I can write a five-paragraph essay with my eyes closed and memorize 40 vocabulary words in one night. I know how to dissect a frog, identify every part of a cell, and recite the Pythagorean theorem without blinking. But in 2025, high school students are still graduating without ever being taught how to build credit, understand what paycheck deductions mean, or recognize burnout. We’re learning how to solve problems, but not the kind we’ll face immediately after graduation or even during our first year of college, when we’re suddenly expected to manage a budget and our own well-being.
The process of learning itself: thinking critically, managing deadlines, and using logical reasoning, teaches us how to approach problems in real life. But despite everything we’re taught, we’re still not being prepared for the realities that follow high school. By junior year of high school, we’re expected to have an idea of what we want to study in college and what career to pursue. But how can we choose a path when we don’t understand what these jobs consist of: the day-to-day responsibilities, the lifestyle, the income?
Earlier exposure to real-world skills and career awareness would help students make smarter decisions, not just pick a major based on what sounds impressive or familiar.
Financial literacy classes could teach the true cost of college, and beyond—not just tuition and textbooks, but rent, interest on student loans/credit cards, insurance, groceries and all the everyday expenses that come with living independently. Mental health education could help us manage stress before it spirals and reduce the stigma around asking for help. Career education, through internships, pathways, or hands-on experiences, can show us what different jobs are really like, beyond just their titles.
Some Miami-Dade schools are starting to address these gaps through formal curriculum changes and career-oriented programs. Under Florida Senate Bill 1054, all public high school students in Miami-Dade who entered 9th grade in the 2023–24 school year or later are now required to earn a half-credit in personal financial literacy and money management to graduate. Additionally, several magnet programs across the district offer hands-on career exploration: Coral Reef’s Health Science track includes CPR certification and medical training, iPrep Academy’s Legal Studies pathway introduces students to careers in law and policy, and North Miami’s NAF Academies offer tracks in engineering, hospitality, IT, and more.
However, outside of these programs, many students are still left without access to these opportunities, prompting us to take initiative ourselves. At Miami Senior High, Ferguson, Ransom Everglades, Riviera, Palmetto, Cutler Bay and MAST Academy, students lead peer-to-peer conversations on emotional health and drug awareness through the Health Information Project (HIP). At my school, Ransom Everglades, the Miami Venturing Entrepreneurs (MVE) club organizes student-driven projects that explore entrepreneurship, consulting and financial strategy through real world experience. And these are just a few examples. Across the district, students are organizing clubs, leading workshops and partnering with nonprofits to bring these topics into their schools.
These student-led efforts reflect a clear demand for practical, relevant education and a willingness to take initiative. But meaningful change requires more than student action. It’s time to build on what students have already started by formally integrating financial literacy, mental health and career preparation into the classroom. This ensures that all students, not just a few, gain access to these essential skills. If we gave students those tools earlier, we’d be setting them up to thrive in the real world with confidence, knowledge, and resilience to navigate whatever comes next.
Dylan Berkowitz is a senior at Ransom Everglades High School.
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