For generations, it has been accepted that an investment in a college education would pay off someday. College was designed to separate the wheat from the chaff, so to speak, and determine who the most employable graduates where. In this new millennium, that is changing. The fact that a student spends four or more years in college doesn’t necessarily translate into their employability or their knowledge. It may not even translate into their earning ability. It is more of an indication of time spent in the classroom. That time spent in a classroom is very expensive and students can find themselves saddled with overwhelming student loans that may take decades to recover from. There are other choices.

The Advantage of Trade Schools and Community Colleges

Trade schools and community colleges are growing in popularity because they allow students to focus on one specialty, one skill set, and one area of interest. Rather than being forced to take, and pay for, seemingly unnecessary courses, students can focus on areas that specifically interest them. Rather than paying for years of campus housing and incurring thousands of dollars in debt, community colleges and trade schools afford students the opportunity to live at home while getting a valuable education. There are choices for career training Union County that students don’t have to mortgage their future on. Parents and students are beginning to better understand the practicality of community colleges and trade schools.

Getting and Education and Getting a Job

When boiled down to its essence, the purpose of higher education is to get an education to allow students to get a job. Sadly, even with a four year college education or more, students are finding it challenging to find employment in their major. What’s worse is that loan payments must be made upon graduation. This creates a cycle where graduates will accept positions that may have nothing to do with their area of expertise just to make loan payments. What they had envisioned when enrolling in college, can become unattainable. They are now just working to pay their debt on education.

A More Practical Approach

A trade school or community college allows students to streamline their education and minimize their debts. They can better focused on the knowledge and skills they need to obtain to get employment without paying for many of the expenses involved  with a four year college. They can often graduate with relatively little debt, and employment in an area they are interested in.

The world of education is changing. For those choosing higher education options, trade schools and community colleges can be a valuable alternative.