In an age where career paths are as varied as they are dynamic, it’s crucial for teenagers to start early in exploring and understanding their potential career opportunities. “So What Comes Next?” a seminal self-help book, serves as a powerful resource in this quest, offering young individuals a structured approach to personal and career development.

Authored by Michael Anthony Deffina, an accomplished business leader with a diverse background, spanning military service to corporate leadership,  “So What Comes Next?”  is more than just a book; it’s a comprehensive guide that addresses the core aspects of self-discovery and career planning. The book is divided into six insightful sections, each tailored to foster a deeper understanding of oneself and one’s aspirations. From self-awareness to goal setting, relationship management, organization, and adopting success-oriented behaviors, the book lays a solid foundation for thoughtful and informed career and lifestyle decisions. Each section is designed to help teens navigate the complexities of the modern job market while discovering their personal aptitudes and interests and building their lives around them.

Self Awareness

The journey begins with self-awareness, where teens are encouraged to reflect on their passions and capabilities. This foundational step is crucial as the current job market values not only skills but also personality and innovation. Teenagers can then leverage this understanding to look into burgeoning fields such as technology and green energy, or more traditional sectors like healthcare, education, and trades that consistently show growth and need.

Goal Setting

Goal setting is a pivotal step in the career planning process, especially for teenagers who are beginning to explore their future options. “So What Comes Next?” emphasizes the importance of setting SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound—as a way to navigate the ever-evolving job market. Teens learn that goals should be clear and specific to provide direction and help them focus their efforts, e.g., instead of saying “I want to work in technology,” a more specific goal would be “I aim to learn Python and complete three programming projects by the end of the year.”

Finally, “So What Comes Next?” encourages teens to think long-term. It helps them visualize where they want to be in five or ten years and how the goals they set today can help them get there. This vision creates a strong foundation for their commitment to their chosen career paths. It helps them align their educational and career efforts with the realities of the job market, ensuring that they are not only dreaming about their future but actively shaping it.

Interpersonal Skills

In “So What Comes Next?”, the emphasis on relationship management as a vital skill reflects its importance in today’s interconnected and digital-centric world. Effective interpersonal skills are essential for teens looking to navigate the complexities of modern industries, such as digital marketing, e-commerce, and content creation. The book defines relationship management as the ability to establish, develop, maintain, and enhance relationships with others, both in personal and professional contexts. It discusses how strong interpersonal skills can lead to better teamwork, conflict resolution, and opportunities for career advancement.

Another critical aspect covered is conflict resolution. The book provides techniques for handling disagreements and misunderstandings in a constructive manner. Learning to resolve conflicts effectively is crucial in maintaining professional relationships and ensuring a healthy working environment.

Organization

In “So What Comes Next?”, the section dedicated to organization skill development is fundamental for teens as they navigate their educational paths, extracurricular activities, and early career steps. This part of the book goes beyond basic time management to encompass a comprehensive suite of skills necessary for success in both academic and professional settings. 

The book starts by laying the foundational principles of time management, introducing teens to techniques like prioritizing tasks based on urgency and importance, using planners or digital tools to schedule their days, and setting realistic deadlines. It emphasizes the importance of creating routines that help conserve mental energy for the most demanding tasks of the day.

Teens are taught how to effectively manage their resources, which include time, energy, and attention, among others. “So What Comes Next?” guides them on how to allocate these resources wisely to maximize productivity without leading to burnout. This is particularly important for students who are balancing school with part-time jobs or intensive extracurriculars like sports or arts.

Lastly, the book encourages an ongoing approach to improving organizational skills. It suggests setting periodic reviews of one’s organizational strategies and adjusting them based on what is or isn’t working. This kind of reflective practice helps teens develop a proactive attitude towards personal productivity and organization.

Through these detailed explorations, “So What Comes Next?” equips teens with a robust set of organizational skills that are applicable not just in their current academic and extracurricular activities, but which will also serve them well into their college years and professional lives. By mastering these skills early, they can navigate their multiple responsibilities more effectively, setting the stage for future success.

Personalized Life & Career Planning

The life plan workbook section in “So What Comes Next?” is particularly beneficial and  

stands out as a critical tool for translating the theoretical aspects of the book into practical, actionable plans. This interactive component,  available through downloadable programs, is designed to help readers meticulously map out both their personal and professional journeys. 

The life plan workbook offers downloadable programs that can be customized to match each teenager’s unique aspirations and situations. By personalizing these tools, teens are more likely to connect with the material and implement it effectively in their lives.

The programs provide step-by-step guidance on how to easily build and manage their plans making what might seem like a daunting task approachable and manageable. It breaks down complex planning processes into smaller, digestible parts, helping teens think through their short-term and long-term goals systematically.

The workbook encourages teens to plan for real-world experiences that enhance their career prospects, such as internships, part-time jobs, or shadowing opportunities. By actively planning these steps, they can strategically position themselves to enter competitive fields, gaining hands-on experience that is highly valued in today’s job market. The life plan workbook encourages teens to consider their personal values, interests, and motivations. These reflections are crucial for aligning their career paths with their personal identities and ensuring that their choices are fulfilling in the long run.

Another important aspect of the workbook is its focus on monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments. Teens learn to review their plans regularly, assess what is working and what isn’t, and adapt their strategies accordingly. This iterative process not only teaches flexibility and resilience but also ensures that their plans remain relevant as their skills develop and interests evolve.

Finally, the workbook prepares teens for major transition points, such as moving from high school to college or from education to the workforce. By having a clear plan in place, they can navigate these transitions more smoothly and with confidence. By offering a structured yet flexible way to apply the principles taught in “So What Comes Next?”, the life plan workbook becomes an essential component of the book, turning abstract concepts into concrete plans that pave the way for successful personal and professional development. To gain a deeper understanding about career choices for teens, https://www.careeronestop.org/ExploreCareers/Assessments/interests.aspx

Financial Insights & Budgeting

In “So What Comes Next?”, the section on financial insights and budgeting is particularly vital as it equips teenagers with the foundational knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about their future education and career paths. Here’s an in-depth look at how the book approaches this crucial topic:

The book begins by introducing teens to the basics of personal finance, including the importance of saving, the basics of budgeting, and how to manage expenses. It discusses the concept of financial literacy, emphasizing the ability to understand and use various financial skills, such as personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.

To ensure the concepts are well understood and practically applied, “So What Comes Next?” includes a downloadable budgeting program that helps teens set up budgets, plan for future expenses (like college or first cars), and track their financial growth. These tools are designed to be user-friendly and engaging for young readers.

For any teenager looking ahead, wondering about future careers and life choices, “So What Comes Next?” is an indispensable resource. It empowers them to take control of their future with confidence and precision. As they step out into the world, equipped with knowledge and skills, they are better prepared to turn their potential into success.

“Through ‘So What Comes Next?’ my aim is to illuminate the many paths that lay before our youth, encouraging them to explore and embrace their full potential. This book is a beacon for teens navigating their futures, highlighting career opportunities that align with their passions and strengths.” Michael A. Deffina, Author

In contrast to “Sean Covey’s ‘The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Teens,'” which spans 244 pages of broad advice without offering specific tools for creating tailored success plans, “So What Comes Next” is a more concise guide at just 44 pages. It includes downloadable programs that help readers develop specific, personalized plans, effectively addressing individual needs and goals.

To explore more about this invaluable guide and how it can help shape the careers of young individuals, visit [the book’s webpage] (https://www.sowhatcomesnext.info/about-the-book).

Published by: Holy Minoza