Things You Can Do Instead Of Going To A Four-Year College

It was not all that long ago that the end goal of any high school education was to go to college. In today’s world, there are plenty of ways aside from college where people can assure themselves of a great future.

Anyone who chose to not attend college may feel like their life is at a crossroads. They may ask themselves whether going to a four-year college is for them, or maybe they should instead try to jump into the workforce.

However, the choice is not that simple. There are many factors to think through, and many young adults don’t understand the gravity of these major life decisions just yet.

Your end goal is to find a career that is fulfilling, pays well, and is something you can enjoy doing for a long time. Once you understand that, it may be easier to see there are alternatives to college that can help you achieve that goal.

Community College May Serve as a Good Bridge to the Next Step

In general, community colleges are local public schools that offer a couple of different paths for students. They can serve as a transfer route for people that want to start here and eventually end up at a university.

They can also serve as a route to train for a career. These colleges are great for people who already have a pretty good idea of what they want to do and want to take the skills they learn here and apply them to their new job immediately.

What makes community college great is that it is often actually a good bridge between high school and the next step. There is nothing to say that in the first couple of semesters, you cannot get an idea of what each path offers.

Despite the name, you are still getting a quality education that generally will benefit you in whatever you do down the road. It also gives young adult students some time after graduation from high school to grow from childhood to adulthood and get a better feel for what they want from their lives.

Maybe an Apprenticeship Will Serve You Well

An apprenticeship is a career training program that pays a salary. This type of situation allows you to learn on the job as well as get some classroom instruction.

The salary for apprentices starts at a pretty low level while you work full-time. As you continue and your skills progress, you gradually start getting paid more money.

Some fields where someone might find an apprenticeship include things such as construction, healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and telecommunications.

Because the commitment level here is not much more than the typical job, this is a great way to get a feel for what a particular industry is all about. It lets you learn more about that industry and potentially your place in it while also getting to make some money and learn some valuable skills.

Online Colleges Are a Good Alternative for Those That Do Not Want To Commit to an In-Person Education

If you enjoy your current job but want to further your education, an online college might be for you. There are tremendous benefits for students going down this route because it is as if they are learning on dual paths at the same time.

They get the advantage of working as adults in the real world and creating a financial base for themselves. At the same time, they are also getting a quality higher education that they may use in their current profession or in another one.

There is no correct answer to whether or not to go to college. However, there are alternatives to traditional colleges that can still provide an education. Do any of these options sound appealing? Let us know in the comments.