Post-Secondary Education

Does this mean you have to go to college and complete four years of education in order to get a good paying job? No, it does not. However, it does mean you do need to further your education past high school in some manner. There are many well-paying job openings that only require two years or less of post-secondary education. Many of today’s jobs require technical skills, which can be obtained by enrolling in technical schools and two-year colleges. It is important to realize that a four-year college degree isn’t your only option. Now more than ever, companies are looking for individuals with solid, technical skills. Often times these jobs pay well and training for these jobs often takes only two years to complete.

A four-year degree program isn’t your only option. There are well-paying jobs that require two years of training and there are well paying jobs that require four years of training. Find your niche and search for a program where you will gain the type of skills that today’s companies are looking for when hiring new workers.

Technical Schools – Technical schools train students in specific technical occupations. Examples of these occupations include computer technology, radiograph medical technology, mechanical design technology, and cosmetology. The time required to complete training varies from program to program. Programs can often be completed in two years or less.

Trade Schools – Trade schools train students to enter the workforce in areas such as carpentry, masonry, plumbing, auto mechanics, and electronics. The required time to complete training varies, but can often be completed in two years or less.

Business Schools – Business schools offer students training that leads to a certificate or associate degree. Programs include accounting, secretarial science, word processing, etc. The length of time required to complete these programs varies widely from less than a year to two years.

Community Colleges – Community colleges offer students training which leads to an associate degree. Students can receive narrowly focused training, which will prepare them for entry into many technical, business, and health-related occupations. It requires two years to complete most programs. Furthermore, students may transfer credits to another college or university in order to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Colleges and Universities – Colleges and universities offer a wide variety of programs and various degrees within those programs. Students are able to receive associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees at colleges and universities. The length of time required to complete a program varies from program to program and from degree to degree.

Military – First, the Army, Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard each have academies for officer candidates. Each academy offers intense programs equipping individuals with leadership skills. There is stiff competition for the few openings that exist at each academy. Second, enlisted personnel of all five branches have the opportunity to earn college credits on base and take courses at civilian colleges. Third, college students may enroll in ROTC or Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. In exchange for either full-time active duty or part-time duty in the Reserve or National Guard, a college student may receive a ROTC scholarship.

There are several places you can find information on post-secondary schools. The most accessible place to find up-to-date information on schools is the internet. There are many helpful on-line sites, which will assist you in gathering information about different schools. The following are just a few examples of these sites:

 Military branch web-sites include the following:

Another great place to look is the guidance office. There are a number of books and videotapes describing the programs offered by post-secondary schools. In addition, you may schedule a time to discuss any questions you may have with one of the guidance counselors.

Admissions representatives and military recruiters are also a great source of information with respect to post-secondary training. Representatives often visit the high school during the fall semester and meet with interested students. When visits are announced, students must sign up in the guidance office and have their teacher sign a pass permitting them to miss class and attend the meeting.

Take advantage of the resources available to you in the library as well. There are many books, magazines, and computers, which can assist you in your search. Do not be afraid to ask Miss Ulery, the librarian, for assistance. She is a wealth of information.

Finally, attend "post-secondary education fairs" or "college fairs". Representatives from all types of post-secondary schools and military branches attend these fairs. It is an opportunity for you to meet many representatives and gather lots of information in a relatively short period of time.

After you have narrowed your choice of schools down to a handful, you should seriously consider visiting each school. Meet with students who are currently enrolled and ask them about their programs of study and about the school in general. School representatives are going to emphasize the good things about the schools they represent, but currently enrolled students will be honest and up-front about the school in its entirety. They will tell what the advantages and disadvantages are about attending their school. Check out the school’s environment. Do you feel safe? Are the students, faculty, and staff friendly? If they don’t treat you well as a visitor, how do you think they will treat you as a student?

When speaking to school representatives, be courteous, polite, positive, energetic, and relaxed. Dress in clean, neat, casual clothes and shoes. You’ll only have one chance to make a good first impression. Be prepared to answer questions about yourself and to ask questions about the school. Some questions you may want to ask school personnel include:

1. What is the average class size?
2. What percentage of freshman return for their sophomore year?
3. Are internships available?
4. How effective is the school’s job placement office?
5. How many students apply and how many are accepted?
6. What security precautions are there on campus?
7. What are the crime statistics for the school and surrounding area?
8. What is the student to instructor ratio?
9. Are computers available to students?
10. Is the library well equipped and accessible?