'Trading' College For A Career

Story by Layla Blockcolski, Photo by Abby Conn

Many students grow up with the belief that spending four (or more) years in college equals lifelong success, and anything else means you weren’t good enough. 

It’s the route schools, parents and society as a whole often push. 

But it’s not the only way to get ahead, and it’s not even the best way for many students. 

What often gets overlooked is how valuable alternative paths like trade schools can be for students who have different interests, strengths and career goals. 

Not every student learns the same way or wants the same things, and they are definitely not meant to walk the same road. The path to success doesn’t look the same for everyone; there are a multitude of routes open to students. 

It’s a common misconception that every good job requires a four-year college degree. Many careers offer excellent pay, job security and growth opportunities without requiring a bachelor’s degree. 

Anita Manuel oversees work-based learning and internships for Epic Charter Schools. She explained that college wrongly stands as the best and only path to success. Students often think they have no chance of having a high-paying job or a successful life if they don’t go to college.

“That's not the case,” Manuel said. 

In some cases, a four-year college degree is neither necessary nor helpful, and may instead act as a hindrance by saddling students with extra debt and time out of the workforce completing their studies.  

Not every student is going to thrive in a classroom setting that typically is focused on lectures and general education courses. Some students do well learning this way, but others may find their calling in hands-on work that will allow them to learn skills specific to their careers and interests, and enter the workforce sooner. In these cases, trade schools offer an alternative that is worth considering.

From television personality Mike Rowe’s “Dirty Jobs” to economic reports that show workers in blue-collar industries earning healthy paychecks, attention to trade schools is on the rise. Electricians and plumbers earn a median salary of around $62,000, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

Trade schools, often known as vocational or technical schools, are institutions that provide hands-on, career-focused training for a specific industry.  Unlike traditional colleges, which usually require students to take a wide range of general education classes, trade schools dive straight into teaching the skills and knowledge needed for a specific career. 

“So it’s a little bit narrower, a more intense focus on the career, where in college you’re going to get a broader experience in multiple areas,” Manuel said. 

This allows students to complete their education in a shorter period of time – often two years or less – entering the workforce quickly, with practical, job-ready skills. 

“I would say, at least, evaluating the options that their technology center has would be a great first step, because you're not limited,” said Hadley Walters, who oversees career-technology programs at Epic. 

There are many fulfilling, stable careers that can be pursued through trade schools.

They include culinary arts, plumbing, electrical work, heating-air conditioning, welding, carpentry, automotive repair, cosmetology, certain healthcare roles, and many more. Whether it's fixing a home’s electrical system, preparing a great meal or helping someone look or feel their best, these careers allow individuals to make a real impact on people's lives. On top of that, these fields often provide financial stability, with solid starting wages and opportunities for raises and advancement. 

A major advantage of trade schools is the amount of time and money needed compared to traditional four-year colleges. Trade programs are often much more affordable. Tuition is generally lower, and most programs can be completed in two years or less. The average cost of college is more than $150,000 over a four-year period, while the average cost of a trade school over a two-year period is $33,000. On top of that, many trade school graduates enter the workforce quickly, which means they can start earning a full-time income while their peers in college are still in school and often taking on more debt. This quicker path to a stable career allows many people to become financially independent earlier in life.

At the end of the day, the most important step for students when choosing the right path after high school is to take time to reflect on and understand their interests, passions, strengths and priorities. 

“I think the key for a student to decide which way or ways to go while they're in high school and beyond really starts with the career exploration aspect,” Manuel emphasized. 

Elective courses, internships, job shadowing, volunteer work or career-focused options can help students figure out what they enjoy doing and what they’re good at, as well as what kind of work environment they could thrive in. Reflecting on one’s interests and goals is a huge part of deciding what careers to look into and, in return, what path would be best to get there. 

“The more a student can understand about themselves and what they want to do as far as a career, I think that helps them understand which direction to go,” Manuel said.