Education Coffeehouse -- Earning a Degree After Vocational High School

This economy is very scary!!! I am sure you are concerned about your options when you finish high school -- especially since you have spent time completing a vocational program.

Yes - it's true - you do have the knowledge you need to begin a career in your field of study. For many vocational areas of interest, a college degree is not required for employment. But, for most fields, college training will enhance the skills you have learned in high school and prepare you to soar high in your field. In this economy, this is even a greater consideration. If you have not decided to enter the military, there are a couple of paths you must now consider.

Now is an excellent time to consider enhancing your training while you wait for the economy to recover...and BELIEVE ME, it WILL recover and you will want to be ready for the many opportunities the recovery will bring! Let's look at the options:

Going Directly Into the Work Force: Many decide to go right into the work force and enjoy a great level of success. For many fields of interest, no further training is necessary because you will receive additional education on the job. If you decide to move up in the field, however, chances are even greater that you will have to further your training and education. The company may or may not pay for that additional training. Understand that this may not necessarily be the end of the road in learning.

Going to College: If you decide to go to college and pursue a post high school degree - consider these things before choosing a school to attend:

What type of education will I really need to move up in my chosen field?
Is the school of my choice accredited?
If I decide to take a 2-year program, will the credits transfer later to a 4-year degree?

And don't be discouraged by a GPA that isn't quite as high as you believe is necessary to enter college. Many students are surprised to find that they can still go to college even if they didn't earn a 3.0 (or even a high school diploma - some schools accept GED graduates).

First of all, what type of degree will I need to be able to move up in my career? You can do a little research by taking a look at the Occupational Outlook Handbook. It can tell you how much training is required for promotion. Then you'll have to decide how much time you want to put into your education. Make sure you know the difference between degree types offered. A Certificate Program is NOT the same as a Degree Program. Click on the link to learn more about degrees from Degrees to Succeed.com.

What type of accreditation should I look for in a school? Make sure the school you apply to is recognized by one of the members of the list found at the Office of Post Secondary Education website. This is extremely important if you plan on studying online. Many organizations pretend to be schools and charge high prices for their "degree" programs. But, they are not really education organizations at all and the "degrees" received from these places are false. You might lose a lot of money with nothing to show for your investment. They may say that they are accredited, but even the accrediting agencies could be false. Make sure the name of the accrediting agency is spelled and reads EXACTLY as that of the names found on the Office of Post Secondary Education website.

If I decide to take a 2-year program, will the credits apply toward a 4-year degree? Plan ahead. If you are interested in possibly completing a 4-year degree but only want to study for 2 years right now, try to select a school that offers both an Associates and Bachelors in your chosen field. While many schools will accept transfer credits earned at an accredited school, if you attend the SAME school - your credits are probably a part of the higher degree course plan.

These are just a few things to consider, but with careful planning and sound decision making, your future will be brighter than ever!

After Vocational High School, What Next?

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