Does College Debt Freak You Out? Career Colleges and Vocational Schools to the Rescue!
More and more students are breaking tradition by attending a career college… but why?
The economic crisis facing our country is totally scary, and it’s hard to escape the subject lately! One of the hottest topics has been the rising cost of education and housing while professional salaries and wages remain relatively flat. This will make paying for college (among other things, such as buying a house) harder than ever after you graduate high school.
Does this awful trend have to affect you? Absolutely not. Education is changing, along with how we as a society perceive education. Here are some really important points for you to consider after you graduate from high school or get your equivalency degree.
You have more options outside of a 4-year university.
As time progresses, more and more students are becoming aware of career colleges and trade schools. According to The Atlantic, trade school enrollments increased by nearly 67% between 1999 and 2014 (after a decline in the 80s and 90s). That’s more than twice the growth rate of traditional college enrollments within the same timeframe.
Universities aren’t the only institutions that offer a high-quality educational experience. Vocational schools and career colleges offer a wonderful opportunity; in many cases, you can get a focused certification, degree, or diploma in as little as 10–20 months. This always depends on the state, the school, the program, and the course of study.
Why is this so great? It allows you to get into the workforce sooner. There is no better place to learn! You can start working in your desired field and if you love it, you can always further your education and expand your knowledge from there. In some cases, your employer might even pay for your further education!
There are a lot of career colleges to choose from, too. Simple online research will help you find what you are looking for (whether you want to relocate or stay local). If you’re curious to see what kind of programs a career college in Fort Collins, Colorado offers, be sure to check out IBMC’s course catalog to start your research journey. Be sure to compare and contrast schools as your interests get piqued.
Get a focused, high-quality education at a career college.
Let’s put it this way: vocational schools and career colleges offer a focused, refined curriculum and overall learning experience. Instead of having to spend thousands of dollars on general education credits, you can jump right into specific classes that are directly related to your chosen course of study.
Most vocational schools will employ instructors who have hands-on, real-life experience to share with students. For instance, if you are going to cosmetology school, you are likely to be taught by someone who has been working in the field for a number of years. How do you get a better education than that?
In addition to focused career training with experienced professionals, many vocational schools take a strong focus on what happens AFTER graduation. By offering mock interviews, “externship” opportunities, and career placement services—career colleges and vocational schools place a lot of importance on getting students to enter the workforce.
Are you worried about figuring your entire life out at the age of 17? We don’t blame you.
Let’s be real for a minute. The pressure of trying to figure out what to do with the rest of your life is stressful in and of itself. Are you going to have all of the answers? No! Does everyone expect you to have them? Yes!
We think it’s pretty silly, too. Don’t worry! Life is a learning process that everyone must go through, but you don’t have to do it alone.
What a career college affords you is the ability to get out there and get started in a career that you believe you could love. It’s a lower barrier to entry from a time AND cost perspective; what could be worse than investing tens of thousands of dollars on a bachelor’s degree only to find out you want to try something else? While some of your peers are in their sophomore year at university, racking up debt without a major, you will be in the workforce learning about yourself and starting to grow your career.
To conclude: you have plenty of options. How can you be proactive?
Be sure to do your research. Once you find a school you like, feel free to schedule a campus tour, sit in on a class (if the school offers this), or schedule a meeting with someone from their admissions team. You can also talk to your guidance counselor and trusted teachers at your high school. Let them know that you are exploring trade schools (they might have some connections that will help you with your research).
Talk to your parents about vocational schooling too! If you are worried about racking up $50K or more in college debt, that is a valid concern that they might share with you. Discuss it with your network of trusted friends and family members, too. Don’t try to go it alone! Especially when there are so many resources available to you.
IBMC is here to help. There are a few ways that you can interact with us as you are embarking on your career journey.
- Discover our course catalog. We have a robust list of careers for you to choose from. Barbering, medical assisting, and massage are just a few of our more popular programs. If you’re in research mode, our website is a great place to start. Compare our course catalog to others and get an idea of what sparks your interest!
- Schedule a meeting with our admissions team. We are more than happy to talk with you on the phone about your interests, your educational goals, and any challenges that you feel you are facing.
- Schedule a tour of one of our campuses. If you are finding yourself more and more curious about student life at IBMC, we would love to show you around so you can get a feel for our community.
