An option if one doesn't have a job, is to enroll in a college or university for a degree that is in high demand, with decent pay...ask your counselor when checking out degrees.
Don't go to the local-ish "technical schools" for dental assistant, office worker, etc. Their fees are often in the $10k-$30k range, and the jobs one qualifies for after completing the course is often pretty low relative to the cost (I've found it to be typically $10-$15/hour, which was ok at one time, but minimum wage is nearing that level in many places in the US)
Think math, engineering, IT/computer science, biology, chemistry, and teaching degrees. I'm sure there are many others that are good also (my interests are mostly in the sciences). Social degrees tend to not pay as much, but they (like teaching) tend to be very tolerant of diversity.
Don't do well in math or sciences? Take a few refresher courses, and motivate yourself to study. Unless you have a learning disability, the sciences are very logical and rational. (imho, not dissing others)
Apply for tuition assistance, housing on/near campus, ask about other assistance available to low-income people. And don't forget the community colleges! Much less expensive, and their credits do transfer to the bigger, more prestigious (and expensive) universities. (Community colleges offer the same classes that the "technical schools" do, but at a much lower cost...check it out, you'll see!)
Higher education is a good option...you can either sit on the street saying "Golly I wish I had a good paying job", or you can sit in the counselor's office deciding your future, and working toward it.
Just a thought.
Where do you want to be in 5 years?
