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4-year Colleges vs. Technical Schools: Your Choice
College is not for everyone, but that does not mean you
shouldn't pursue some sort of higher education or job training.
When you think about your future, what do you envision? Are you
doing something you love, or are you just working for...
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4-year Colleges vs. Technical Schools: Your Choice
College is not for everyone, but that does not mean you
shouldn't pursue some sort of higher education or job training.
When you think about your future, what do you envision? Are you
doing something you love, or are you just working for a
paycheck? If you are one of the many who is trying to make a
decision about where to spend your money and invest your future,
read on. This article provides a comparison of 4 year colleges
and technical schools. Which one is right for you?
How to choose between 4-year colleges and technical
schools: Ask yourself these questions and then consider the
benefits 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 as
you can about a variety of subjects? Do you want to learn as
much as you can about one specific topic (become an expert)?
What are your strengths? Weaknesses? Would you benefit
from a shorter more targeted program?
Lifestyle. How will school fit into your life? Would you
benefit from non-traditional scheduling such as online, evening,
or distance learning? 4-year colleges and technical colleges
both offer such options, but it varies by school so check with
any schools you are interested in attending.
What do you need? Realistically, what sort of degree or
training do you need to pursue your dreams? Research your
desired field--know what the requirements are and how they
compare to the programs you are considering. The US Department
of Education website offers resources for career and training
research.
Be a consumer. Check equipment; is it new and up-to-date?
How does it compare to the equipment you will be using on the
job? Trust me, this can be tedious but it is quite important.
After graduation I realized I should have taken more time to
research the computer programs employers expected me to know for
technical writing jobs. Had I been better informed, I could have
taken extra courses dealing specifically with those programs.
Investigate the following: campus size, current and
former students, faculty and staff; Find out if the school is
accredited and licensed; Do they make extraordinary claims? Will
your credits be transferable?
4-year Colleges Some people like to learn just for the
sake of learning, while some are more focused and driven and
use
school as a steppingstone for job advancement. If you are
interested in more scholarly pursuits a traditional 4-year
college 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 degree
in area you no longer wish to pursue, high admission standards
and prerequisites, job market may be slower upon graduation-may
require additional training
Technical
Schools If college was for everyone, technical schools
would not exist. Some people may feel a stigma is attached to
technical schools. In a society where attending college has
become standard, we lose sight of the value of skills training.
People feel abnormal and may be angry if they don't want to go
to college but feel pressured to do so anyway.
Benefits: shorter duration, focused programs, easier
admission standards, flexible scheduling, certifications not
necessarily offered at 4-year colleges, hands on training
Disadvantages: may be viewed as less prestigious, can be
expensive, may be less room for exploration of other subjects,
accreditation, for-profit institutions
Many of the fastest growing jobs do not require a bachelor's
degree but do require post-secondary education (education beyond
high school) These jobs include: * Medical Assistants * Social
and human service assistants * Home health aides * Medical
records and health information technicians * Physical therapist
aides * Physical therapist assistants * Fitness trainers and
aerobics instructors * Veterinary technologists and technicians
* Hazardous materials removal workers * Dental hygienists *
Occupational therapist aides * Dental assistants * Personal and
home care aides * Self-enrichment education teachers *
Occupational therapist assistants * Environmental science and
protection technicians, including health * Preschool teachers,
except special education * Respiratory therapists
For more information on job growth statistics see the Bureau of
Labor Statistics webpage.
Remember, the best way to determine what is right for you is to
simply 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.
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