Alternative Paths to a Traditional College Degree
While 65% of students enter college after high school, many regret their decision. Nearly 40 million people in the United States went to college but don’t have a degree. Today, almost half of the students given government loans don't graduate even after six years but are still burdened by the debt. So maybe we should promote alternative ways for young adults to start building their prospective futures.
Photo by Siora Photography on Unsplash
ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO TAKE AFTER HIGH SCHOOL
GET A JOB.
While some careers require a four-year+ college degree—think medicine, law, engineering, computer science, and academics—most don’t. If you don’t know precisely what you want to study but are interested in a specific company or field, it might be better to go for it. College students take on loans and spend decades in debt because they believe they must get a degree to be hired. But that's no longer true. IBM, Accenture, Dell, Bank of America, Google, and other big companies, recognizing the uselessness of many undergraduate degrees, recently dropped college degree requirements. So have state governments in Maryland, Utah, Colorado, Pennsylvania, Alaska, North Carolina, New Jersey, and Virginia.
It might be worth it to ‘learn’ on the job and self-educate on the side with plenty of resources available online. If you don’t have a career in mind, any job will do at the beginning. Save up money from your salary and invest it well. All of this might be more beneficial for people without clear academic goals.
COMMUNITY COLLEGE.
Community college is a flexible option for high school graduates who need to decide their career path. These institutions offer a more affordable way to study the basics and explore a variety of fields. Once your student has a clearer idea of their interests, they can either complete their associate's degree or transfer to a four-year college, using their community college credits to work towards a bachelor's degree.
The average annual tuition at state-funded public community colleges is less than $4,000 nationally. Compared to the average tuition at a public college or university, this represents a substantial cost saving, particularly for students still exploring their career options.
TRADE SCHOOL
Seven percent of 2023 graduates surveyed said they pursued career and technical education, commonly known as vocational programs and trade schools. These programs are typically less costly than two- or four-year degree programs and focus on training students for careers such as auto mechanics, electrical line work, and welding, nursing school, etc. While some programs are offered through community colleges, others are run by for-profit schools. Graduates typically receive a certificate rather than an associate degree.
YouScience CEO and founder Edson Barton says vocational or trade school pathways make perfect sense for many students, but they need to know the available options. In the survey, 30% of 2023 grads reported needing to be aware of career and technical education programs.
START A BUSINESS
According to the survey, the second-most popular route for non-college-bound students was working toward a career. For some, that may mean starting a business. Some students develop a creative and entrepreneurial mind at a young age, and by the time they graduate high school, they have either started or may feel ready to launch a business. Again, we can learn anything about everything from our homes with the resources available online. It takes a lot of courage to go out alone, but mistakes give us the most significant lessons, and the most successful people rarely work for someone else.
TAKE A GAP YEAR
Our brain doesn’t fully develop until we turn 25 years old. How are we supposed to choose a career at 18? The words "gap year" can be exciting and scary, but it is an excellent option to see the world and experience different cultures, and learning how to work and care for yourself is an excellent option. And interestingly, while sometimes seen as a delay tactic to college, about 90% of students participating in gap year programs do attend college within a year after the break.
What's more:
60% of gap year participants reported taking their educations more seriously after some time away from their studies.
60% also said that completing a gap year helped them identify their career direction and decide on a major.
I have traveled all my life. I have seen close to hundred countries and lives in eight. It has been an invaluable experience in who I have become, how I see the world, and how I benefit from my current perspective.
LEARN A TALENT/SKILL IN YOUR YOUTH
This is a standout choice, albeit applicable to a select few teens. Throughout my youth, I devoted myself to becoming a professional tennis player. Early morning training instilled discipline while navigating solo international travel to tournaments at just 14, which taught me self-reliance. Tennis taught me about victory and defeat and opened doors to global travel, lifelong job security, and expertise in a unique skill set.
If you have a passion, dream, or goal, now's the time to pursue it wholeheartedly. Whether you aspire to be a musician, singer, athlete, artist, or designer, nurturing your talent early can profoundly benefit brain development, mental resilience, worldview, and ability to navigate life's challenges. Even if you don't reach professional status or fame, the dedication and skills cultivated in youth will prove invaluable in your future endeavors.
