what does schoolwork have to do with the real world?

Why do I need to know this? When am I ever going to use this in the real world? Do you often feel like that as you slog through another round of algebra problems? You might be surprised to know that, yes, you will use skills and knowledge from your high school classes in real life, even though it might not seem obvious now.

Students who take challenging courses and study smart in high school tend to have better jobs and make more money in their careers. Some of the jobs that require the most education (i.e. doctors, lawyers, engineers, etc.) pay well and rarely have layoffs.

Having knowledge and skills in all areas will help you in all jobs. Consider how the following careers use various subject skills learned in high school:

• If you want to be an attorney, you may not need to use calculus on a daily basis. However, if you want to specialize in patent law or represent a pharmaceutical company, the ability to grasp math and science concepts will be very valuable.
• If you want to work in construction, you may be surprised to learn that you'll use geometry, algebra, and physics principles on the job day in and day out.
• If you want to be a journalist, math will help you to better understand corporate and government documents and see beneath the surface of the numbers to get a good story.

You never know exactly what career path you'll follow. By working hard in all the core subject areas, you will be prepared to make better choices about a career.

Source: ACT's News You Can Use