After you finish pre-k and emementry, you should get a [!] in the mail. You get 5 jobs to choose from. Some you will get turned away because you don't have the skill points.
You don't have to have a job to get a mate.
To get the 'secret charactors' [you can see them at the end of the charactor chart] you have to have 300 skill points in the area of your choice plus at least 100 total in the other two areas.
Did this make sence?
Browse through the links listed HERE - it may come in handy.