<p>Momom, I applaud you for wanting to do some career exploration with your son. This does not mean that he has to make a decision right now, but that he knows some possibilities that are out there. He might start by asking his GC or school librarian whether an interest and aptitude test is available to him - there are some computer based ones that are sometimes loaded on school library computers.
If you and he are thinking that he could have “fallback” career possibilities - something that he could do for a living while he also tries his hand at comedy, writing, or acting, that is also very practical thinking.
Exercise physiologists: I know some right now that are unemployed. I know some that I would consider underemployed - doing personal training and getting paid the same amount as people with an associate’s degree or certificate in personal training. And I know some who are employed in cardiac rehab, research (low pay) or as consultants to teams (very hard to get these jobs).
Is it the “physiology” part that attracts your son? If so, perhaps you can arrange for him to visit a physiology lab to see what goes on there (often animal experimentation, so he has to be OK with that). Is it the “helping people rehabilitate” part? If so, he might explore athletic training, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, or nursing. (For the last three, he would probably gain an admission advantage as a male. And, some of them are graduate programs).
Or, is he interested in designing prostheses or exercise equipment as an engineer? Or, being on the business or management end of the fitness industry?
Would he be interested in being a science writer?
These are just some things to think about and explore.
And I agree with the other posters that a challenging, broad based academic curriculum in high school is best. Good luck!</p>