The Californer - "So What Comes Next?" Empowers Teens To Build A Future They Choose—Not One Chosen For Them

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Michael A. Deffina's concise, practical guide helps young people plan life after high school with confidence and clarity.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Californer -- As education costs soar and the job market continues to evolve, author Michael A. Deffina has created a guide to help teens take charge of their futures. His book, So What Comes Next?: A Teen's Guide to Life Planning Made Easy, provides a clear, relatable roadmap for making informed post–high school decisions—whether that means college, trade programs, entrepreneurship, or other pathways.

At only 47 pages, the book condenses key concepts in career exploration, goal-setting, and financial awareness into a format written in a voice teens relate to. With downloadable worksheets and Excel-based planning tools, readers move from reflection to action—learning how to transform uncertainty into achievable goals.

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Recognized as a #1 New Release in Teens & Young Adult Values & Virtues (November 2022), So What Comes Next? has earned praise from educators and parents for its real-world relevance and practical design. Teachers note its accessibility for classroom use, while parents appreciate how it opens meaningful conversations about planning, priorities, and purpose.

Deffina's message is grounded in experience. A U.S. Navy electronics technician who advanced through IBM's Apollo guidance program, Deffina went on to achieve top 5% "Golden Circle" national sales honors and co-founded Ellie Mae Inc., later a NYSE-traded company. Drawing from this diverse background, he developed a self-guided planning system teens can complete in just a few hours—one that helps them understand themselves before choosing their direction.

"Teens don't need another lecture—they need a plan," says Deffina. "This book helps them connect who they are with where they want to go."

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Ideal for ages 13–18, as well as parents, teachers, and counselors, the guide replaces anxiety with agency by encouraging teens to ask not "What should I do?" but "What fits who I am?"

About the Author
Michael A. Deffina is a Navy veteran, technology executive, lecturer, and youth career-planning advocate who helps teens align their strengths and values with meaningful career paths.

So What Comes Next?: A Teen's Guide to Life Planning Made Easy is available now.
For more information, visit So What Comes Next Book (https://sowhatcomesnextbook.com/?utm_source=PRLog&utm_medium=Press+Release&utm_campaign=Press+Release&utm_id=PRLog+2025-10-10)