2 answers
Tyrese
Student
Miami Gardens, Florida
9
Questions
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If not college what’s the next best step?
#physician #experience
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2 answers
Thomas Sutherland
Associate Continuity and Recovery Specialist, CBCP
207
Answers
Detroit, Michigan
Updated
Thomas’s Answer
There are a lot of other options available for you to explore. Here is a good article that talks about some of them:
"As a former college professor, I see the drive for most students to complete a college education. I'm not sure how many would be in college if not for the pressure and expectations from family members, and while that is good for some students, others obviously might be better off pursuing options other than college.
The reality is that college is not for everyone -- nor is it truly needed for everyone -- and forcing teens to attend college only to have them flunk out is doing a disservice to them.
Only a few generations ago, high-school graduates rarely went on to college, yet somehow through the years, college has almost become a rite of passage for teens to pass into adulthood and a good career. But teens do not need to attend college to become adults and they certainly do not need to attend to land a good career.
Education is critical; college is not. There are numerous careers -- in healthcare, technology, operations, transportation, and the building trades -- that do not require a four-year degree.
And as you advance in these careers, there is also nothing stopping you from pursing a college degree at a later age -- when it better suits you. Some people are just not ready for college until a little later in life.
So, if you are not college-bound after high school, what are some of your alternatives?
Learn a Trade
Apprenticeships, at one time, were the only way for young people to get a foot in the door to their careers. If you have an interest in a particular trade, such as carpentry or construction, seek out jobs in the trade that will not only give you valuable experience but guide you toward advancement by helping you with the certifications or licenses you need to succeed.
For example, one high-school graduate I know worked for a pool construction company for several years, learning every aspect of the business before earning her swimming pool contractors license and starting her own business.
Another tool to learning a trade is to obtain your certification in that field. Learn more via this LiveCareer article: Hot Fields in Which Certification May Boost Your Career.
Get a Job
Nothing helps more with that transition to adulthood than holding down a full-time job. Your goal should be to move away from the companies that typically hire teens for part-time work to employers that can provide a future.
Often larger employers have more opportunities, so start your search there. Also, identify employers whose products or services interest you, and whose culture you respect.
For example, I know a person whose career at AT&T started in the mail room, because he knew it would be a foot in the door, and now, years later, still with just a high school education, he is a highly valued member of the company's corporate technology staff.
Volunteer
While you are trying to find your place in the world, why not spend those first few years after high school making a difference?
While you may be familiar with the Peace Corps, they actually prefer college graduates, so you might instead consider looking locally to make a difference, or consider such national programs as Americorps, which offers 17-24 year-olds the chance to make a difference through a national network of hundreds of programs throughout the U.S., as well as the Student Conservation Association, which has conservation programs (jobs and internships) throughout the U.S. for adults 18 or older.
Travel
If all you can think about is getting out of your town and exploring some other part of the world, then traveling may be for you. Traveling to one or more foreign countries is a great way to experience other cultures, learn more about yourself, and equip yourself with cultural knowledge to apply in the global economy.
If you have some money, you can find innovative and cheap ways to explore the world. If you don't have the money, look into student exchange programs, employment on cruise ships, or becoming an au pair or nanny for a family in another country.
Check out this LiveCareer article for guidance on how to secure a seasonal job: Cool, Unusual, Unique and Seasonal Jobs.
Attend Community College or Vocational School
A great way to ease into college and explore more about who you are and what you want to do in life is by taking one or more classes at your local community (or technical) college.
Classes are cheaper and admission much easier -- and many students work at least part-time to pay their way. You can either take a few classes, follow a diploma or certification track, or advance toward your associate's degree. Many community colleges have agreements with four-year colleges, so that if you decide college IS right for you, you can then transfer those credits.
Join the Military
While not always a popular -- or safe choice -- joining the military is often a great way to learn more about yourself. Joining the military offers you a chance to serve your country, make a career in the service, and/or earn money toward a future college education. You'll also earn valuable work experience that can you can apply to civilian jobs once you get discharged. Read more here: Today's Military."
Source: https://www.livecareer.com/resources/careers/planning/college-alternatives
"As a former college professor, I see the drive for most students to complete a college education. I'm not sure how many would be in college if not for the pressure and expectations from family members, and while that is good for some students, others obviously might be better off pursuing options other than college.
The reality is that college is not for everyone -- nor is it truly needed for everyone -- and forcing teens to attend college only to have them flunk out is doing a disservice to them.
Only a few generations ago, high-school graduates rarely went on to college, yet somehow through the years, college has almost become a rite of passage for teens to pass into adulthood and a good career. But teens do not need to attend college to become adults and they certainly do not need to attend to land a good career.
Education is critical; college is not. There are numerous careers -- in healthcare, technology, operations, transportation, and the building trades -- that do not require a four-year degree.
And as you advance in these careers, there is also nothing stopping you from pursing a college degree at a later age -- when it better suits you. Some people are just not ready for college until a little later in life.
So, if you are not college-bound after high school, what are some of your alternatives?
Learn a Trade
Apprenticeships, at one time, were the only way for young people to get a foot in the door to their careers. If you have an interest in a particular trade, such as carpentry or construction, seek out jobs in the trade that will not only give you valuable experience but guide you toward advancement by helping you with the certifications or licenses you need to succeed.
For example, one high-school graduate I know worked for a pool construction company for several years, learning every aspect of the business before earning her swimming pool contractors license and starting her own business.
Another tool to learning a trade is to obtain your certification in that field. Learn more via this LiveCareer article: Hot Fields in Which Certification May Boost Your Career.
Get a Job
Nothing helps more with that transition to adulthood than holding down a full-time job. Your goal should be to move away from the companies that typically hire teens for part-time work to employers that can provide a future.
Often larger employers have more opportunities, so start your search there. Also, identify employers whose products or services interest you, and whose culture you respect.
For example, I know a person whose career at AT&T started in the mail room, because he knew it would be a foot in the door, and now, years later, still with just a high school education, he is a highly valued member of the company's corporate technology staff.
Volunteer
While you are trying to find your place in the world, why not spend those first few years after high school making a difference?
While you may be familiar with the Peace Corps, they actually prefer college graduates, so you might instead consider looking locally to make a difference, or consider such national programs as Americorps, which offers 17-24 year-olds the chance to make a difference through a national network of hundreds of programs throughout the U.S., as well as the Student Conservation Association, which has conservation programs (jobs and internships) throughout the U.S. for adults 18 or older.
Travel
If all you can think about is getting out of your town and exploring some other part of the world, then traveling may be for you. Traveling to one or more foreign countries is a great way to experience other cultures, learn more about yourself, and equip yourself with cultural knowledge to apply in the global economy.
If you have some money, you can find innovative and cheap ways to explore the world. If you don't have the money, look into student exchange programs, employment on cruise ships, or becoming an au pair or nanny for a family in another country.
Check out this LiveCareer article for guidance on how to secure a seasonal job: Cool, Unusual, Unique and Seasonal Jobs.
Attend Community College or Vocational School
A great way to ease into college and explore more about who you are and what you want to do in life is by taking one or more classes at your local community (or technical) college.
Classes are cheaper and admission much easier -- and many students work at least part-time to pay their way. You can either take a few classes, follow a diploma or certification track, or advance toward your associate's degree. Many community colleges have agreements with four-year colleges, so that if you decide college IS right for you, you can then transfer those credits.
Join the Military
While not always a popular -- or safe choice -- joining the military is often a great way to learn more about yourself. Joining the military offers you a chance to serve your country, make a career in the service, and/or earn money toward a future college education. You'll also earn valuable work experience that can you can apply to civilian jobs once you get discharged. Read more here: Today's Military."
Source: https://www.livecareer.com/resources/careers/planning/college-alternatives
Jason Criddle
Sales Manager
63
Answers
Boise, Idaho
Updated
Jason’s Answer
Hi Tyrese,
This is a truly great question and I have a number of thoughts so hang in there with me.
First - You may be right. College may not be the best fit for you. Attending college does not define whether someone is successful in life or not. Some wildly successful people did not attend or even dropped out of college. Most college students attend for career opportunities but the only 27% actually get a job related to their field of study. That is not to say their college experience was pointless, simply that there may have been a better options for many of them. (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/08/02/new-data-track-graduates-six-popular-majors-through-their-first-three-jobs#:~:text=After%20those%20jobs%2C%20however%2C%20the,a%20broad%20array%20of%20careers.)
Second - you may be wrong. College and higher education may actually be the best thing for you. Many high school students have a fear of college based on their educational experience thus far. College is very different from high school and I know several people who struggled in high school only to turn around and graduate with honors in at the college level. Many of these people did not go to college right out of high school and only went to college once they figured out what they wanted to get out of it and applied themselves accordingly. College may turn out to be right for you, just maybe not now.
Third - and most important. You get to choose. What you do with your life is completely up to you. Therefore the next best step is to decide what you want to be. Who you are is far more important than what you happen to do so don't confuse the two. When you take the time to know who you want to become as a person and work toward that end the rest tends to sort itself out. Some people describe this discovery process as "finding themselves". Some people leave home or join the military or travel to "find themselves". Ultimately, how you go about it is up to you and the resources you have available to you. A good way to discover what type of person you want to be is to look around your life for those who you look up to and respect. Consider who is it that inspires you to be better, who makes you feel appreciated, who do you want to emulate? Changes are these people carry some of the traits you wish to develop. Create a vision for yourself and understand who it is that you want to become, When you do that you will begin to see life from a better perspective as you will know what you are (or are becoming) and not simply what you happen to do.
Good luck to you!
This is a truly great question and I have a number of thoughts so hang in there with me.
First - You may be right. College may not be the best fit for you. Attending college does not define whether someone is successful in life or not. Some wildly successful people did not attend or even dropped out of college. Most college students attend for career opportunities but the only 27% actually get a job related to their field of study. That is not to say their college experience was pointless, simply that there may have been a better options for many of them. (https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/08/02/new-data-track-graduates-six-popular-majors-through-their-first-three-jobs#:~:text=After%20those%20jobs%2C%20however%2C%20the,a%20broad%20array%20of%20careers.)
Second - you may be wrong. College and higher education may actually be the best thing for you. Many high school students have a fear of college based on their educational experience thus far. College is very different from high school and I know several people who struggled in high school only to turn around and graduate with honors in at the college level. Many of these people did not go to college right out of high school and only went to college once they figured out what they wanted to get out of it and applied themselves accordingly. College may turn out to be right for you, just maybe not now.
Third - and most important. You get to choose. What you do with your life is completely up to you. Therefore the next best step is to decide what you want to be. Who you are is far more important than what you happen to do so don't confuse the two. When you take the time to know who you want to become as a person and work toward that end the rest tends to sort itself out. Some people describe this discovery process as "finding themselves". Some people leave home or join the military or travel to "find themselves". Ultimately, how you go about it is up to you and the resources you have available to you. A good way to discover what type of person you want to be is to look around your life for those who you look up to and respect. Consider who is it that inspires you to be better, who makes you feel appreciated, who do you want to emulate? Changes are these people carry some of the traits you wish to develop. Create a vision for yourself and understand who it is that you want to become, When you do that you will begin to see life from a better perspective as you will know what you are (or are becoming) and not simply what you happen to do.
Good luck to you!