Let's Get Started

I think that sometimes the most difficult parts of a paper like this are the beginning and the ending. How do I get started? How do I really pull it together at the end? Those are good questions.

I think a good way to start is to go back to the funnel. Start broad. For example, you could begin by talking about how many high school students beginning thinking about their futures and exploring different career options. From there, narrow it down to why the career you have researched is a good option. Narrow it even further by discussing the needed characteristics that might benefit the career you have chosen. Let's see...

It is natural for high school students to begin thinking about potential careers as they approach graduation. While some students may know exactly what they want to do, other students may not have any idea. It is important for a student to explore different options as he considers what he would like to do. He may want to ask his parents or close friends what they can envision him doing. He may want to look at his personal passions and investigate paths that stem from his own creative bents. He will certainly want to seek direction from the Lord. For example, a student who has invested many years playing baseball could begin researching different careers that would be linked to that interest. He might consider playing professional baseball, becoming a sports journalist, selling sports-related products, or studying physical therapy for sports injuries. If he loves kids and teaching them how to play the game as much as he loves playing it himself, he might consider coaching. Becoming a baseball coach is [blah blah blah]

This would be the introductory paragraph about becoming a baseball coach.

Now, keep reading and pay attention: This is not how you HAVE TO begin your paper. This is just an idea.


(And yes, Nathan, it had to be about baseball.)