What if college is not the right choice for you?
Despite the numerous statistics and articles which support the notion that a college education ensures higher lifetime wages, not everyone will gain the same benefits out of college. So how do you know if college is not the right choice for you? What other alternatives are available?
First of all – what is your gut feeling when you think about college? Do you want to jump straight into a paying job without spending another four years in school? Perhaps you are already working in high school and you enjoy your job. Or you may be working in a family business alongside your parents, rehabbing houses, fixing roofs, cleaning carpets or repairing cars.
There are many jobs that do not require prior experience or a special education and that provide on the job training: cashiers, tellers, waiters or waitresses, CNAs (certified nursing assistants), packers, mail carriers, and farm hands are just a few examples.
Quite a few jobs require very little training, which is often provided after hours (ex. medical assistant, dental assistant, welder, dog groomer). On the internet, everyone has access to online courses (free and paid) that can be taken to further your education as you go.
In states where employers receive a tax break for providing employees with educational opportunities, they will be even more inclined to offer you that chance. Check with the HR department to find out what is available. Remember: each class you take and every new skill you master can make you a more valuable asset to the company you work for, which may translate to an increase in wages!
For example, if you decide to become a hairdresser, you first need to attend a state accredited cosmetology school, and then gain experience on the job. If you want to own your own hair salon, you will also need to learn about how to run a business. A great resource is SCORE – where you can get a mentor who will help you get started in your business. SCORE is the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors, with more than 10,000 volunteers in 300 chapters. As a resource partner of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), SCORE has helped more than 10 million entrepreneurs through mentoring, workshops, and educational resources since 1964.
Aim to be the best you can be in your chosen profession and take advantage of opportunities that come your way. And it’s not always how much you earn, but how you decide to spend it that determines your outcome. Just check out Ronald Read’s story – a janitor from Brattleboro Vermont.
Regardless of what you decide to become – a grocery store clerk, a realtor, a fisherman, a flagger – anyone can benefit from learning new things every day.
More Resources:
Careeronestop.com is another helpful site where you can find career, training and job search resources personalized to your needs.
American Job Centers – Find your nearest local office.
Unemployment Benefits – How to file in your state.
National Phone Helpline:
1 877-872-5627
TTY: 1 877-889-5627
Coursera provides universal access to the world’s best education, partnering with top universities and organizations to offer courses online.
If you are interested in learning languages you can download the free app DuoLingo,
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