College and University Blog
Your Options After High School
Almost 3 million young adults will graduate from high school this year. There are many options available to them. The most obvious options are the following:
- Work
- Attend a Vocational or Trade Program
- Earn a 2-year Degree at a Community College
- Attend a 4-year College or University
- Enlist in the U.S. Military
Work
While there are some high-paying jobs available with just a high school education, this is not the norm. Most available jobs will be found in the service industry. According to the US Census Bureau, the average annual earnings for a worker with a high school diploma are $30,400 per year. These earnings may be higher or lower depending on your location and personal situation.
Attend a Vocational or Trade Program
The primary goal of vocational education is to prepare one for employment. Vocational education is typically provided by a local community college or an institute of technology. Vocational education is much more diverse now than in the past. You will find programs in retail, funeral services, information technology, and tourism, to name a few. Some vocational programs prepare students for manufacturing jobs. There are also trade and industry programs, such as construction, mechanics and repair, precision production, and transportation and material moving. Vocational programs that prepare students for jobs in the services and information industries include health care and technology and communications. Vocational programs vary in length depending on the course of study.
Earn a 2-year Degree at a Community College
An associate degree is an academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, and business colleges. Your studies usually last two years or through the completion of 60 credit hours. There are two main types of Associate Degrees. The Associate Degree of Arts is a degree that focuses on individual studies, social sciences, or the humanities. The Associate Degree of Science focuses on studies in math, science or technology.
There are two types of associate degrees – transfer degrees and career or professional degrees. The transfer degree is the foundation of a bachelor