Every high school student eventually hears the same question: “What are you doing after graduation?” It sounds simple, but the answer usually isn’t. Seniors may share the same hallways, classes, and final moments before graduation, but their futures quickly go in different directions. For students like Corbin Drabik, Dustin Primozic, Vijay Solanki, Grady Swiger, Caleb Zaleski, and Josh Crinic, life after high school is shaped by trades, college plans, military service, and personal goals.

It’s easy to assume most students follow the same path—graduate, go to college, and get a job. But talking to seniors shows that many are choosing something different. Some are drawn to hands-on trades, others to college careers, and some choose the military to gain skills and experience.

Finding Their Path

For many students, figuring out life after high school doesn’t happen overnight. It comes from trying new things and learning more about themselves.

Corbin Drabik discovered his interest in the automotive field through hands-on learning at Polaris. Instead of going to a four-year college, he plans to stay in the shop industry and hopes to own his own business someday.

“Oh, my plans for after high school are to stay in the shop industry like an auto shop, and hopefully own my own shop one day,” Drabik said.

His interest grew because of the variety in the field.

“It was like a jack of all trades,” he explained. “So it helped me learn what I really wanted to do.”

Josh Crnic had a similar experience, but at home. After helping his dad with projects like electrical work and carpentry, he realized plumbing was what he enjoyed most.

“My favorite house work was plumbing,” Crnic said. “My plans are to go bigger and better than toilet work.”

Crnic plans to attend Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) for plumbing while also playing soccer. His path shows that students can combine athletics and trades to create opportunities for their future.

Hands-On Futures

For some students, sitting in a classroom all day isn’t the best fit. They do better working with their hands and seeing results right away.

Dustin Primozic is one of those students. He plans to pursue welding while also serving in the Army National Guard.

“I really can’t sit down to learn, and I always struggle with reading,” Primozic said. “So having a hands-on skill helps me. I’ll always be able to find a job.”

Along with welding, he will attend boot camp and train as a combat engineer. His decision was influenced by his family’s military background and his desire to serve part-time.

“I just kind of felt it, with the long line of military members in my family,” he said.

Like Drabik and Crnic, Primozic hopes to build a long-term career through his trade and eventually join a union.

These students show something more people are starting to realize: a four-year college degree isn’t the only path to success. Skilled trades offer stable jobs, are in high demand, and allow people to build real, useful things.

College and Career Goals

While some students choose trades, others are preparing for careers through college.

Grady Swiger plans to attend Miami University to study real estate. His interest comes from both passion and the potential to make good money.

“There’s good money in it, and I just like the whole scene of all the houses,” Swiger said.

After visiting campuses, Miami stood out to him.

“I just decided that Miami was the most beautiful, in my opinion, and it had a real estate major,” he said.

His goal isn’t just to work in real estate but to lead.

“I’d really like to become a well-established real estate agent… and start managing my own real estate business,” Swiger said.

Vijay Solanki is heading to Bowling Green State University on a pre-dental track. His interest started with getting braces and grew over time.

“The more I shadowed the more I found more passion towards the field,” Solanki said. “I saw it as something I’d actually like to do, not just for money.”

For him, choosing a college came down to support and opportunities.

“They offered to connect me with people who can help me pursue my field,” he explained.

Like Swiger, Solanki hopes to eventually open his own business—his own dental practice.

Balancing Service and Education

Some students are combining paths by doing both college and military service.

Caleb Zaleski plans to attend The Ohio State University’s honors engineering program, studying computer science and engineering. At the same time, he is preparing to join the United States Marine Corps Reserves.

“I want to join to increase my skills and prove that I could become a Marine,” Zaleski said.

He made this decision carefully over time.

“I took it super slow, asking all the questions and it just started to work itself out,” he explained.

Zaleski hopes to work in intelligence or reconnaissance in the military, while also using his degree to help people, possibly in healthcare technology.

“I want to improve systems and help assist people,” he said.

His path shows that students don’t have to limit themselves to just one option.

Different Paths, Same Goals

Even though each student has a different plan, they share similar goals: independence, stability, and building a future. Whether it’s running a business, working in trades, healthcare, or technology, they all want to succeed on their own.

They also prepared in different ways. Some focused on school, others built hands-on skills, shadowed professionals, or researched careers. Each took steps during high school to get ready for what comes next.

One Stage, Many Futures

Graduation day may look the same for everyone, but the future is different for each student. Some will go to college, some straight into jobs, and others into the military. Every path has its challenges, but also its rewards.

Even though they share the same school and graduation, every student is moving forward with their own goals and plans for the future.