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College isn’t for everyone, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pursue college or professional education. When you think about your future, what do you envision? Are you doing something you love or just working for a paycheck?
If you’re one of the many trying to make a decision about where to spend your money and invest in your future, read on. This article provides a comparison of 4-year colleges and technical schools. Which one is right for you?
How to choose between 4-year colleges and technical schools:
Ask yourself these questions and then weigh up the pros and cons of each type of school.
What are your goals? Do you have a specific career goal? What are your educational goals? Would you like to learn as much as possible about different topics? You want to learn as much as possible about a certain topic (become an expert)?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Would you benefit from a shorter, more focused program?
Lifestyle. How does school fit into your life? Would you benefit from non-traditional scheduling such as online, evening, or distance learning? 4-year colleges and technical colleges both offer such options, but it varies by school, so check with any schools you wish to attend.
What do you need? Realistically, what kind of degree or education do you need to achieve your dreams? Research your desired specialty – know what the requirements are and how they compare to the programs you are considering. The US Department of Education website provides resources for career and education research.
be a consumer. check equipment; is it new and up to date? How does it compare to the gear you will be using at work? Trust me, this can be tedious, but it’s pretty important. After graduation, I realized that I should have taken more time to research the computer programs employers were looking for me for technical writing jobs. Had I been better informed, I could have taken additional courses specific to these programs.
Examine the following: campus size, current and former students, faculty, and staff;
Find out if the school is accredited and licensed; Do they make extraordinary demands? Are your credits transferable?
4 year colleges
Some people enjoy learning just for the sake of learning, while others are more focused and motivated, using school as a stepping stone to career advancement. If you are interested in more academic pursuits, a traditional 4-year college might be your best option.
Advantages: Liberal arts education applies to many fields, different subjects to explore, prestige, “college life”
Disadvantages: expensive, time consuming, may earn a degree in an area you no longer wish to pursue, high admissions standards and requirements, job market may be slower after graduation – additional training may be required
technical schools
If college were for everyone, there would be no technical schools. Some people may feel that there is a stigma attached to technical schools. In a society where college attendance has become the norm, we lose sight of the value of skill development. People feel abnormal and can be angry when they don’t want to go to college but still feel pressured to do so.
Advantages: shorter duration, focused programs, simpler admissions standards, flexible scheduling, certifications not necessarily offered at 4-year colleges, hands-on training
Disadvantages: may be considered less prestigious, may be expensive, may offer less scope for research on other subjects, accreditation, for-profit institutions
Many of the fastest-growing jobs don’t require a bachelor’s degree, but do require post-secondary education (education beyond high school). These jobs include:
o Medical assistants
o Social and Human Services Assistants
o Health workers at home
o Medical records and health information technicians
o Physiotherapist assistant
o Physiotherapist assistants
o Fitness trainers and aerobics trainers
o Veterinary technologists and technicians
o Employees in the disposal of hazardous substances
o Dental hygienists
o Occupational therapist assistants
o Dental assistants
o Personal and home care assistants
o Self-enrichment education teacher
o Occupational therapist assistants
o Environmental Sciences and Environmental Protection Technicians, including Health
o Pre-school teachers, except special education
o respiratory therapists
For more information on employment growth statistics, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics website.
Remember that the best way to determine what is right for you is to simply know yourself and be informed.
Thanks to Kate Leas | #4Year #Colleges #Technical #Schools #Choice
