Perhaps you are a newly-single mom; or perhaps you are someone with a high school diploma in a rather “dead-end” job. Whatever the reason, you now realize that you need to get back in school in order to pursue a career that will be both personally and financially rewarding. The decision now is what type of educational program you will choose to achieve the goals you have set for yourself. Will it be college or will it be some other type of vocational training? Taking a look at these options should help you decide.
A college education comes with a bit of prestige, to be sure. And in the past, “trade school” has been a place for kids who couldn’t make the grade or didn’t have the money to attend a four-year institution. But those concepts have changed in recent years, as many more opportunities have presented themselves in non-college degree programs.
These opportunities involve programs offered by community colleges, as well as a number of post-high school vocational programs that go beyond what has traditionally been considered the “trades” (plumbing, HVAC, carpentry, pipe-fitting, etc.) Now, such programs include a huge variety of skills training that are in demand and promise lucrative earnings. Much of this has been in response to the demands of students for educations that do not require the time and financial commitment that a four-year degree program entails.
Of course, your choice must be made based upon the type of career goals you have. So, let’s have a look at what these two options offer.
The Four-Year College Degree
Many professional careers require a minimum of a college degree for entry. These include such areas as teaching, journalism, engineering, the fine arts, data science, and the natural and physical sciences, to name just a few.
The four-year degree also provides a more generalized education for the first two years, providing graduates with a well-rounded background in both the arts and sciences, allowing them to present themselves in society and to potential employers with skills unrelated to their major fields of study but still necessary in the workplace.
Vocational Programs
The huge growth of breadth in these programs is probably the result of young people’s demands for specific skills that allow them to enter the workforce sooner and begin earning. Consider some of these options that now present themselves:
- Health Care – pharmacy, surgical, and dialysis technician; dental assistant, medical records specialist as examples
- IT – certification programs in computer support, data analysis, programming, web development,cybersecurity specialist, software development
- Real Estate and insurance sales
- Skilled trades and apprenticeships
Online Vs. In-Person
There are both college degree and vocational programs that offer online completion, except in the skilled trades fields. And certainly, there are advantages here. For those who have jobs or are running a busy household, there is some flexibility for coursework completion, and that certainly eases the stress. Most coursework, though, does involve newer technologies, such as zoom meetings, during which students must be present.
In-person coursework has its advantages too. There is more involvement as a community and the opportunity for socialization, which is something that strictly online coursework does not offer. And who knows? Maybe you are that single mom who will meet a single man in the process. The point is that socialization and camaraderie that is often built through in-person coursework can result in a richer experience and may result in lifelong friendships.
Let’s Recap
Once you make a decision to pursue education beyond high school, you have plenty of decisions to make. What career field do you find most attractive? What specific options are there within that career field? Will you need a four-year degree or are you able to pursue the faster track of a vocational program? And which appeals to you more? Will online or in-person coursework be better for you? There is a lot to think about – take your time and make the choice that is best.