# Careers and Classes

Part of the Scholarship Merit Badge Digital Resource Guide: [Introduction & Overview](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/scholarship/guide/index.md)

*5. Writing About Your Future*

> **5b.** Write a report of 250 to 300 words about two careers that interest you and how specific classes and good scholarship in general will help you achieve your career goals.

This option helps you connect school to possible futures in a practical way. Instead of writing broadly about education, you focus on two careers that interest you and explain how classes and strong scholarship can help you move toward them.

Video: [Informative Writing (video)](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o22BiMAMKPA)

## Pick Two Careers With Enough to Say

Choose careers you can actually discuss. They do not need to be final decisions, but you should know enough to explain why they interest you and what kind of preparation they require.

Good choices might come from curiosity you already have, from [Req 2b](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/scholarship/guide/req2b/) interviews, or from jobs you have seen in your family or community.

## Connect Careers to Specific Classes

The requirement specifically says **specific classes**. That means you should move past vague claims like “school helps with everything.” Name the classes and explain the connection.

For example:

- **Engineering** might connect to math, physics, computer science, and technical drawing.
- **Nursing** might connect to biology, chemistry, health science, and communication.
- **Journalism** might connect to English, history, media, and research skills.
- **Skilled trades** might connect to math, shop classes, drafting, safety, and problem-solving.

Then add the second part: how **good scholarship in general** helps. That includes habits like reliability, study skills, source evaluation, writing clearly, and following through.

**What a Strong Report Usually Includes** — Keep the writing balanced between both careers

- [ ] **Brief introduction**: Name the two careers and why they interest you.
- [ ] **Career one**: Connect it to specific classes and scholarship habits.
- [ ] **Career two**: Do the same.
- [ ] **Conclusion**: Show how strong scholarship keeps more doors open.

## Scholarship Helps Even Before the Career Starts

Strong scholarship does not only help after you get into a program or job. It helps you qualify for opportunities in the first place. Good grades, strong writing, reliable work habits, and honest research all make it easier to apply for programs, internships, training, scholarships, or advanced classes.

That is why this badge keeps returning to the same ideas. The habits behind [Req 1a](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/scholarship/guide/req1a/), [Req 2c](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/scholarship/guide/req2c/), and [Req 2d](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/scholarship/guide/req2d/) are the same habits that support future career paths.

> **Tip**
>
> If your two careers are very different, that is fine. In fact, it may help you notice which school skills matter in almost every path, such as communication, problem-solving, and responsibility.

## Keep the Word Count Tight

At 250 to 300 words, you do not have room for a huge career essay. Aim for one clear paragraph for each career and a short opening or closing. Stay focused on the connection between classes, scholarship, and goals.

> **Be Prepared! Before You Finalize the Report**
>
> Check whether you can answer yes to these questions.
>
> - **Did I name two careers that genuinely interest me?**
> - **Did I connect each career to specific classes?**
> - **Did I explain how good scholarship in general helps?**
> - **Did I stay within 250 to 300 words?**


You have reached the end of the requirement pages. Next, go beyond the badge and explore how to keep building scholarship in real life.

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- Previous: [Your Education Story](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/scholarship/guide/req5a/index.md)
- Next: [Extended Learning](https://merit-badge.university/merit-badges/scholarship/guide/extended-learning/index.md)