Did you sleep through your guidance counselor’s college prep presentation?
Or just need a refresher on your options? Here are just some of your options for life after high school.
Trade/technical school
the deal: Pick an industry you’re interested in working—from culinary to cosmetology, automotive to medical assisting. Attend a trade or technical school in that area, and you’ll get hands-on training using the same kinds of equipment you’ll encounter after graduation. Big selling points are straightforward training and short programs—typically about 18 months.
average cost: Varies greatly depending on the program, school and campus.
what can you earn?: Certificate, associate degree.
from an expert: “The best thing a potential technical school student can do to prepare is first figure out what interests him/her the most and tie that into a specific career field,” says Frank Galindo, marketing manager for Lincoln Educational Services. “That way, there is a genuine interest in what he/she is going to be studying, which only helps the students perform at their best.”
Community college
the deal: Attend a community college to earn an associate degree that will either propel you into a career or prepare you to transfer for a bachelor’s degree. You can also take classes there in high school to earn college credit, or fulfill some of your bachelor’s degree requirements at a community college over the summer.
If you plan to transfer to a four-year school after attending a community college, meet regularly with a transfer counselor and ask about articulation agreements. An articulation agreement spells out which credits will transfer to which four-year schools.
Big selling points are affordability and flexibility.
average cost: $2,402/year (collegeboard.com)
what can you earn?: Certificate, associate degree.
from an expert: “Professors at community colleges often teach simultaneously at four-year colleges,” says Hadley Camilus, senior special programs coordinator at Quinsigamond Community College (qcc.mass.edu). “Essentially, for a whole lot less, a community college student can be instructed by the same professors as their peers who attend the four-year college across town.”
Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC)
the deal: Take ROTC in college, and you’ll take classes in military values, history and leadership.
Graduate from an ROTC program, and you’ll be commissioned as an officer in the armed forces. Army ROTC scholarship recipients can expect to spend at least four years on active duty, then four years either on active duty, inactive ready reserve, U.S. Army Reserve or National Guard.
If you receive a ROTC scholarship, you’ll earn full tuition and academic fees or room and board, up to $10,000 per year. Cadets also receive $1,200 per year for books and a monthly stipend between $300 and $500 depending on year in school.
Not a scholarship winner? You won’t get your tuition paid for, but you’ll still qualify for the stipend.
what can you earn?: Commission as an officer and a guaranteed career after college.
from an expert: “I did ROTC, and I feel that every able-bodied American should provide some service back to their country,” says Major Will Laase, assistant professor of military science at Boston University (bu.edu). “If you’re ready to be a leader and you want to be a leader, then ROTC is a great way to launch any career and give you the skills that any employer is looking for: Army values, leadership and the skills that get any job done.”
