The Senior Year Checklist for Students Considering a Career in Skilled Trades

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Senior Year Goes Fast. Here Is How to Stay Ahead of It.

Senior year feels like it lasts forever until it suddenly does not. One week you are picking your schedule, and the next week everyone is asking what you plan to do after graduation. If you are thinking about a career in the skilled trades, this checklist will help you stay organized, make smart decisions, and graduate ready to work.

The trades are one of the most reliable paths to a well-paying career without student debt. But like any career, the earlier you start planning, the better your outcome will be.

Step 1 – Research Which Trade Fits You Best

Not all skilled trades are the same, and that is a good thing. Different trades suit different personalities, strengths, and interests. Before you commit to anything, spend a little time looking at your options.

Here are the main trade categories available through the Academy of Craft Training:

  • Commercial Construction: Foundations, framing, concrete work, and building systems
  • Commercial Electrical Construction: Wiring, panels, safety systems, and power distribution
  • HVACR and Mechanical Systems: Heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration
  • Industrial Metal Fabrication: Welding, cutting, forming, and structural metal work

Think about what you actually enjoy. Do you like working outdoors or in mechanical environments? Do you enjoy precision work or more physical labor? There is no wrong answer here, as long as you are honest with yourself.

Step 2 – Talk to People Working in the Field

Researching online is a great starting point, but talking to real people in the trades gives you a different kind of insight. Find someone working as an electrician, HVAC tech, or welder and ask them what a normal day looks like.

Some questions worth asking:

  • What does a typical workday feel like from start to finish?
  • What did you wish you knew before getting started?
  • What does the pay progression look like over five to ten years?
  • How hard was it to find steady work in your specialty?

ACT students get this exposure built into the program through real internships with Alabama contractors. That means you are not just hearing about the trades. You are working in them.

Step 3 – Get Your Application in Early

If you are interested in joining the Academy of Craft Training, do not wait until the last minute to apply. The program accepts more than 1,000 applications across all four campuses in Birmingham, Central Alabama, Mobile, and North Alabama. Applying early gives you the best chance of securing your spot.

The general timeline to keep in mind:

  1. Sophomore or junior year: Talk to your school counselor and get your application started. Students attend ACT during senior year (and some as juniors), so applying early is key.
  2. January and February: Student interviews take place
  3. Spring: Class selections are finalized before the end of the school year
  4. School year – class starts and internships begin in fall and spring of senior year

Ask your school counselor if your school is part of ACT’s network. More than 100 participating schools across Alabama are already connected, so there is a good chance yours is too.

Step 4 – Have the Conversation With Your Parents

This is a big one. Parents are a major part of this decision, and their concerns are usually about money, safety, and long-term stability. Those are fair questions, and the good news is that the skilled trades check all three boxes.

When you talk to your parents, come prepared with actual data:

  • Median wages for electricians and HVAC technicians are well above the national average for workers their age
  • Trade careers do not require student loans, which means no debt hanging over your first few years of income
  • Job demand in construction and infrastructure is consistently strong across Alabama and nationally

You can also point them to Go Build Alabama, which has clear information about careers, wages, and opportunities in the trades across the state.

Step 5 – Visit a Campus If You Can

Reading about a program is one thing. Seeing it in person is completely different. ACT trains students in industrial-setting facilities where you work with actual tools and equipment, not just diagrams in a textbook.

A campus visit gives you a real sense of what the environment feels like. You can see the type of work being done, meet instructors who have real industry experience, and talk to current students about what the program is actually like day to day.

ACT campuses are located in Birmingham, Central Alabama, Mobile, and North Alabama to serve students across the state. Visit any campus near you.

Step 6 – Graduate with a Plan, Not Just a Diploma

Too many students graduate high school with no idea what comes next. You do not have to be one of them. If you go through ACT, you graduate with real skills, work experience from paid internships, and connections to employers who are already looking to hire.

Here is what graduation looks like for ACT students versus a more typical path:

  • ACT graduate: Real work hours logged, trade certifications, employer relationships built, job offer often already secured
  • Undecided graduate: No work experience, no specific skill set, no clear first step

The trades give you a head start that most of your peers simply do not have. You walk into the workforce with proof that you can do the job.

Want to map out your path before senior year slips away? Reach out to the ACT team here and get the information you need to make a smart decision about your future.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I apply to ACT?

Students attend ACT during their senior year, and some juniors participate as well. That means the best time to apply is during your sophomore or junior year, well before senior year begins. Talk to your school counselor early so you are not scrambling to meet deadlines. The earlier you apply, the better your chances of securing a spot.

What if my school is not part of the ACT network?

Ask your guidance counselor. With more than 100 participating schools across Alabama already connected to ACT, there is a good chance yours is involved. If not, your counselor can help explore your options.

Do I have to choose a trade before applying?

You do not need to have a firm decision before applying. Part of the program experience is exploring the trades and finding the best fit for your interests and strengths.

Can I do ACT and still pursue college later?

Absolutely. Many ACT graduates enter the workforce first and pursue further education later, often with their employers helping to cover costs. The trades and higher education are not mutually exclusive.