The competition for jobs these days is high. And while having an undergraduate or graduate college degree is an excellent stepping stone to many careers, sometimes it is not practical due to the cost or not necessary due to someone’s chosen profession.
According to recent Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) figures released in April 2010, 70.1 percent of 2009 high school graduates were enrolled in colleges or universities. This is the highest rate since the BLS began tracking this information. In addition, of those going to college nearly 92 percent were full-time students, while 70 percent of those not enrolled in college entered the labor pool.
What this seems to indicate is that young adults realize that even though finding employment may be tough once they graduate from college, it is even more difficult for those with only a high school education.
Consider the Benefit of a College Education
A college degree has long been considered a wise financial and career investment. For many jobs in the U.S. – say for instance, lawyer or doctor – a college education is mandatory. And with so many more high school graduates going onto college, the competition in the already weak labor market has become tougher.
High school seniors need to be thinking now about their future to determine if further education at a traditional four-year institution is their best option. Yes, the right college degree often translates into the right career. However, not only are there other avenues for learning a trade and preparing to enter the workforce, too often the degree someone obtains isn’t a match for current needs.
This problem doesn’t seem to be unique to the United States. According to an article in the BusinessWorld Weekender from Manila, Philippines, “The problem seems to be that more people enter the labor force than the number of new jobs that are created each year. Worse, the skills of these new workers do not match the requirements of the new jobs.” (Valisno, BusinessWorld Weekender, April 22, 2010)
It’s easy to see the choice of career path and college degree program can lead to future career success or career frustration. So it's important to choose wisely.
Alternative Career Training: Moving Beyond the Four-Year Degree
With nearly 92 percent of college enrollees attending school full-time, it might be difficult for everyone to obtain gainful employment related to their area of interest. However, for the other eight percent who attend college part-time, they can often balance school and work. The benefit, of course, is that part-time students can establish their career early and get the necessary experience to compliment their college degree.
For those who enter the job market on a full-time basis and take related college courses on a part-time basis to supplement their on-the-job training, they may find they have a better opportunity to match their education directly to their chosen career path.
Another alternative to a traditional four-year college program is vocational education at a career, technical or trade college. Career and trade colleges focus on competency-based education, emphasize hands-on experience and offer real-world skills in order to prepare students for immediate entry into the workforce. These colleges are great for those who want to enter programs in health care or medical assisting, dental assisting, cosmetology, culinary arts, fashion design, paralegal and more. In addition, there are a variety of certification courses that can enhance careers in career fields such as information technology, massage therapy and court reporting.
Finally, for those who want the benefit of a higher education without the college degree and all for free of charge, there are the online open courseware classes available through a variety of top-notch universities.
Choosing the Right Higher Education Path
Selecting a traditional college or a career college program is very much a personal choice. However, students might want to consider following these steps:
- Research what types of jobs are available in the current job market
- Get work experience while attending school
- Be willing to move to where the jobs are
- Position themselves to excel beyond their competition
- Choose a college program that best fits their career goals
While vocational education is often considered the shortest route towards a career, a university education and four-year degree may often provide better opportunities for future career advancement. Students need to consider all their options and then choose whether a college degree or technical education is better for their career path.
Deborah S. Hildebrand - Deborah S. Hildebrand is a freelance writer & HR consultant with 20+ years in human resources & a Bachelor's degree in Business.
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