4-year Colleges Vs. Technical Schools
By Kate Leas, Sat Dec 10th
College is not for everyone, but that does not mean youshouldn't pursue some sort of higher education or job training.When you think about your future, what do you envision? Are youdoing something you love, or are you just working for apaycheck? If you are one of the many who is trying to make adecision about where to spend your money and invest your future,read on. This article provides a comparison of 4 year collegesand technical schools. Which one is right for you?
How to choose between 4-year colleges and technicalschools: Ask yourself these questions and then consider thebenefits and disadvantages of each type of school.
What are your goals? Do you have a specific career goal?What are your educational goals? Do you want to learn as much asyou can about a variety of subjects? Do you want to learn asmuch as you can about one specific topic (become an expert)?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Would you benefitfrom a shorter more targeted program?
Lifestyle. How will school fit into your life? Would youbenefit from non-traditional scheduling such as online, evening,or distance learning? 4-year colleges and technical collegesboth offer such options, but it varies by school so check withany schools you are interested in attending.
What do you need? Realistically, what sort of degree ortraining do you need to pursue your dreams? Research yourdesired field--know what the requirements are and how theycompare to the programs you are considering. The US Departmentof Education website offers resources for career and trainingresearch.
Be a consumer. Check equipment; is it new and up-to-date?How does it compare to the equipment you will be using on thejob? Trust me, this can be tedious but it is quite important.After graduation I realized I should have taken more time toresearch the computer programs employers expected me to know fortechnical writing jobs. Had I been better informed, I could havetaken extra courses dealing specifically with those programs.
Investigate the following: campus size, current andformer students, faculty and staff; Find out if the school isaccredited and licensed; Do they make extraordinary claims? Willyour credits be transferable?
4-year Colleges Some people like to learn just for thesake of learning, while some are more focused and driven and useschool as a steppingstone for job advancement. If you areinterested in more scholarly pursuits a traditional 4-yearcollege might be your best option.
Benefits: liberal arts training applies to many fields,diverse topics to explore, prestige, "college life"
Disadvantages: expensive, time consuming, may get degreein area you no longer wish to pursue, high admission standardsand prerequisites, job market may be slower upon graduation-mayrequire additional training
TechnicalSchools If college was for everyone, technical schoolswould not exist. Some people may feel a stigma is attached totechnical schools. In a society where attending college hasbecome standard, we lose sight of the value of skills training.People feel abnormal and may be angry if they don't want to goto college but feel pressured to do so anyway.
Benefits: shorter duration, focused programs, easieradmission standards, flexible scheduling, certifications notnecessarily offered at 4-year colleges, hands on training
Disadvantages: may be viewed as less prestigious, can beexpensive, may be less room for exploration of other subjects,accreditation, for-profit institutions
Many of the fastest growing jobs do not require a bachelor'sdegree but do require post-secondary education (education beyondhigh school) These jobs include: *Medical Assistants *Socialand human service assistants *Home health aides *Medicalrecords and health information technicians *Physical therapistaides *Physical therapist assistants *Fitness trainers andaerobics instructors *Veterinary technologists and technicians*Hazardous materials removal workers *Dental hygienists *Occupational therapist aides *Dental assistants *Personal andhome care aides *Self-enrichment education teachers *Occupational therapist assistants *Environmental science andprotection technicians, including health *Preschool teachers,except special education *Respiratory therapists
For more information on job growth statistics see the Bureau ofLabor Statistics webpage.
Remember, the best way to determine what is right for you is tosimply know yourself and be informed.
About the author:Kate Leas is a freelance writer living in Kansas City, Missouri.Her current fields involve education and the Internet.
