When I think of how diverse humans are, it begs the question, how the educational system can cater to each person’s individual needs effectively. Not everyone excels with the formal style of education delivered in Universities, but that does not mean they don’t have the ability.
I have experienced extremely talented people throughout my career with differing levels of education and paths to success. This includes individuals with a high school diploma, community college, trade school degrees, and traditional university baccalaureate or advanced degrees. In each case, they had a passion and aptitude for the profession they chose, which was the key. They committed themselves to whatever educational level it required while understanding that learning does not stop upon the achievement of any diploma or degree.
With the cost of higher education soaring, it is important to consider how education is changing. For many, there is much more to be gained by pursuing alternative educational paths, including community college, trade schools, and apprenticeships. Additionally, if you decide to pursue your 4-year degree and begin at a community college you will have gained critical skills along the way and paid for your first few years of college at a fraction of the costs of a four-year university.
Understand Your Opportunities Based on Your Degree
Education as a path to success should be emphasized at an early age, including doing what it takes to get the right grades to move to the next level. I attempt to communicate this to youth regularly. However, college is not just a university degree. University isn’t the only place to learn the skills necessary for employment. There’s no doubt that for millions of students worldwide, graduating with a bachelor’s degree is the dream. For plenty of others, though, the desire to get specific work-related skills is much more appealing.
Their convictions have merit. According to The Hechinger Report, a media outlet that specializes in covering inequality and innovation in education, “37% of workers with a high school diploma have higher earning than half of those with some college.” More students, counselors, and advisors are waking up to the reality that the one-size-fits-all approach to education is outdated.
Should you choose to pursue a university degree, it is important to ensure career opportunities are available upon graduation. Too many students pursue degrees with limited opportunities and often with a large college loan debt. Whatever level of higher education you pursue, it is critical to have a clear career pathway to ensure your near-term prospects.
How To Find Job Satisfaction or A Job You’ll Love?
As the adage goes, choose a job you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.
But how does a young person or student know what it is that they love so that they can go on to build a career around it? Finding out what makes a person tick in their working life can be determined at different stages in a person’s life. You hope to determine it while in school but sometimes it comes later in life. No matter when it comes you need to ensure you have a skill that can provide you with a well-paying job.
As the Washington Post reports, “people are realizing there are more pathways to family-sustaining-waged jobs.” There is a growing demand for skilled workers across the country, and students want to get started earlier, as opposed to spending four years after high school attending college and amassing huge debt before they’ve even started employment.
High schoolers are being introduced to newer ideas about education and skills-based learning that have them earning money while training. This appeals to many young ones who strive to be independent and who have a strong drive to begin making their own way in the world.
Community college is an ideal place for students to gain knowledge in not just their chosen field but in a variety of fields so they can choose the one that works for them. Community colleges offer many opportunities for lifelong learning, with the emphasis on creating productive workers, not simply ‘completers’ of college.
Trade Education Is Valuable and a Great Return on Your Investment
Recent media reports indicate that half of all companies across the country are understaffed, there’s never been a better time to consider an alternative education path.
Trade skills, especially in niche markets like welding, plumbing, heavy equipment machinery, and many other trades are highly prized and can demand six-figure salaries. Students can earn while they’re training, all without the burden of large college debt to repay.
Trade Schools and Community Colleges provide educational opportunities for those that need to work while attending college. If you require financial aid and or loans the debt is much smaller than at the university level. Community colleges and trade schools open lifelong, exciting opportunities for students to take control of their futures from the second they leave compulsory education.
These options also greatly benefit individuals that left school to raise families to financially support themselves but who always wished to pursue a different career path.
Doing it Your Way
I will always be an advocate for higher education. This includes trade schools, community colleges, and university education. The good news is several avenues lead to successful, fulfilling, and lucrative careers. The key is to determine which option is best for you to build your future with the end in mind!
