I want to share a secret with you, and it is probably the biggest secret of the adult world; no matter how much you study or how well you do in school, most employers will only care about the fact that you finished. Many employers will ask to see a diploma or transcript only to verify that you have completed something. While a diploma can do this, nothing shows your accomplishment or the potential ability to hold down a strong work load like a transcript.

For many, college is a far away dream. Fortunately, many employers sympathize with this and will settle for a high school education concerning their jobs. In fact, many careers that can lead to further certification and advancement will specifically look for high school graduates due to the pay scale and training involved with the position. While they know you haven't got the college degree, your high school transcript shows two things; that you actually graduated and what your normal semester was like.

This can help an employer to know if you are able to handle a lot of work, if you prefer math over English and so on. Also, this can provide many tech savvy employers with an understanding of what you accomplished while training in specific fields at career centers and out-of-school programs.

Now, how do you get your high school transcript? Your high school keeps records going back decades, and the nice thing is that for many, high school transcripts are free. The only cost involved might be a flat mailing fee, and usually you can request multiple copies. Also, it never hurts to show up in person to request a transcript; that way you may avoid any extra costs. While the secretary should be able to provide your document, remember that it never hurts to call ahead and give them time to prepare it for you.

Something you may want to remember is that your transcript will show everything you took, even the courses you may have failed and dropped. This may not be a bad thing, as it may show you tried again to complete a course. Remember that everyone fails from time to time; a potential employer may be impressed that you had the gumption to stick with it and finish what you started. Also, if you took any courses that could potentially count for college credit, you will need that high school transcript to claim those college hours.

The world is full of opportunities for graduates, and a high school transcript is just one more tool in your hands to help make those opportunities come to life.