Imagine you are about to graduate high school. You are 18, a new independent adult and you can do anything you want with your life, within reason of course. What are your next steps? What ideas float around in your young brain? College? Which one? What degree program? How much can you afford in tuition? What about scholarships? Should you go to a private college or a state college? There are so many factors and so many questions that make this period in your life way complicated! It can be daunting. I want to dig a little deeper into just one aspect of this decision. It is something that is becoming a little more known and accepted in the world of academia.
There are so many options for young students and they may not even realize what all of them are. A lot of people often feel pressured by family to make decisions and they aren’t given the opportunity to make unbiased choices. The decisions you make right out of high school are the ones that shape your future. They are important and should not be taken lightly! Let’s shed some light on the important differences between traditional and vocational schools.
There are a handful of core differences that should be explained first. The length of the coursework is often much shorter at a technical, or vocational school. The reason for this is that they don’t focus on extra material. You are most likely attending a technical school for one specific trade. They teach you the trade and will often grant certifications that help you advance in a career in that field. Traditional schools focus on a well-rounded education. Although you are going for a specific degree program, they often have a wide scope. You also need to fulfill a significant amount credits to earn your degree. Another core difference between the two is cost. Your technical school will almost always have a lower tuition than your traditional school. This has a correlation with the length of the course. Because it is shorter and you are not receiving a degree, it costs much less. You can, however still receive scholarships and financial aid for accredited technical programs! The last core difference is the level of hands-on training you receive. In a technical school, you will gain skills in your trade by DOING your trade. Many times there are apprenticeships within the program and you can gain the experience you need to advance your career. Traditional schools have less of this due to the large student body. This also depends on your degree program as well. I am also not saying that traditional schools have NO hands-on training; they simply have less because it can be difficult to keep up with the large volumes of students.
Traditional universities have a lot to offer to their student body. A significant amount are very successful at equipping students for the work place. They have a large community and a great presence. This means that there is an abundance of volunteer opportunities, a feeling of belonging to something important, and discovering what you are passionate about. There are clubs and organizations that will get the attention of leaders and employers. Universities often have a name that comes with recognition and pride. It can potentially look very good on a resume and help you get a foot in the door of your career of choice, but potentially at a lower income because of experience level. Attending a traditional university can be an excellent choice for someone who values these things.
Not everyone thrives in that type of environment though. Big communities and large classes may be a hindrance, or a distraction. Having a small class community can be the right choice if you find that you struggle in larger groups. Now, this is not just for the introverts out there or the wallflowers. There are many outgoing people who still do better in a smaller community or class. In fact, having a smaller group can help foster deeper, more meaningful relationships with your peers. These types of connections will help you grow a professional network. Having this type of community surrounding education can be very beneficial to success. The courses vocational schools offer are much shorter which means you have less student debt and are in a career much quicker. The goal of most (not all) trade schools is to get you the skills you need as well as the experience to get hired. Apprenticeships are one way they accomplish this. Alongside the actual teaching is real-world training. I know of one HVAC company currently developing a school to help train and equip students. They are not the only ones doing this. As a need for qualified professionals rise in many industries, programs to help people get there are also coming out of the woodwork.
There are benefits to both sides of this coin. Quite honestly, it isn’t even a two-sided coin. Many people will start with one and move to the other as their interests change. One is not better than the other. They serve the same purpose, just approach the journey differently. It truly boils down to knowing what you need to succeed. Look at yourself, and your needs, and determine what fits your personal goals the best. Ask the questions and do the research. What you want to pursue may have several different options on how to get there. Determine your end goal and work backwards. You will find what you need, even if it takes a couple tries.
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