Colleges focus on academics and test scores. However, there is a vast world and opportunities for young people to explore outside of a traditional college degree.
Sometimes the best way to get into an industry is to find a mentor. Mentors are people that have been in the career field for a while and have plenty to learn from.
College is one of many ways to learn a subject. You could, of course, choose a self-study route. You can become quite proficient by reading books and learning online about a subject.
While not a direct career path, spending some time traveling after high school can help expand your worldview and help you focus on what direction you want to take.
You could go straight into business. When you think of starting a business, your mind might think about tech companies with ideas that will disrupt an industry or change the way we approach life altogether.