"I've got no skills. How am I going to qualify for a job after I graduate from high school?"

This is a common concern among students, but don't worry about not being attractive to employers. First of all, nobody likes a whiner. A positive outlook and an air of confidence will attract employers, so it pays to keep your chin up.

More important, however, is the fact that you do have skills. You just don't recognize them.

Anyone who can write essays, cram for exams, run a campus club, participate in sports or tackle other high school challenges deserves a job and has demonstrated the ability to hold one. While there may not be an obvious link between what you're studying and the job you want, there's more of a connection than you think.

High School can equip you with highly valued skills for the workplace. Except in fields requiring technical expertise, like engineering or computers, employers will hire you for your ability to think, communicate and get along well with other people. Then they'll train you. Of course, if you've already developed some job-specific knowledge through an internship, summer job or class, you'll be an even more attractive candidate.