Post-High School Education

What Should I Do After High School?

Did You Know? 21 of the 30 fastest growing jobs in the United States require some type of post-high school education. People who do not participate in post-high school training are three times more likely to be unemployed than people who have some post-high school training. Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. 2004.

Did You Know? Freshmen who enter college without a career goal or academic major in mind have higher college dropout rates. If a student have a solid plan for life after high school, their chances for success in college increase. Source: Higher Earning=Higher Learning, Center on Education Policy, 2001.

Start Planning Early Take challenging courses and get good grades, starting in middle school, to prepare for post- high school studies. The classes you take in high school, starting with 9th grade, will affect your ability to enter a post-high school training program.

What do you want to do? Identify a career or career field in which you would like to work. Discover the skills needed for the chosen career. Get as much education and experience related to the career interests as possible, while still in high school.

Plan ahead Collect information about post-high school training needed to fit the career plan. Find the schools or colleges that provide the best training for your the chosen career. Look beyond just starting a training program; create a plan for how to finish the program.

Options for Post-High School Training On the Job Training Some careers require completion of a formal, on the job training program. You may have to pass an aptitude test, then receive formal training provided by an employer.

Examples of Careers that Require Formal On the Job Training Flight Attendants Bank Tellers Emergency Dispatchers Mail Carriers Reservation and Ticket Agents

Options for Post-High School Training Apprenticeship Training An apprenticeship may last one to five years, depending on the career. Apprentices work with experienced workers and complete some classroom training. Apprentices earn wages while learning, but the wages are less than he or she will make once the apprenticeship is completed.

Examples of Careers that Require Apprenticeship Training Dental Laboratory Technicians Mechanics Heavy Equipment Operators Carpenters Welders Electricians Vocational school training can help reduce or eliminate the need for Apprentice Training

Options for Post-High School Training Military Training The military trains people in 140 occupations. Many military occupations involve skills that can be useful in civilian jobs. Service members receive basic pay, allowances and benefits, include tuition assistance at colleges and universities.

Options for Post-High School Training Certificate Training Some programs at community colleges, technical schools, and private career schools offer six-month to one-year training that provides a certificate of completion to show that you are certified to do specialized work.

Examples of Careers that Require Certificate Training Pharmacy Technicians Dental Assistants Paralegals Computer Repairers Floral Designers Medical Assistants Some vocational programs can provide credit for certificate training post-high school programs.

Options for Post-High School Training Associate Degree Training Get a transfer degree at a community college, and will transfer to a four-year college or university. OR Get a two-year associate degree that prepares you for a specific career.

Examples of Careers that Require Associate Degree Training Office Managers Nurses Respiratory Therapists Forestry Technicians Interior Designers Forensic Science Technicians Medical Assistants

Options for Post-High School Training Bachelor’s Degree Programs Four-year degree programs are available through state and private colleges and universities. It is important for you to have a plan for what you want to study in college in order to increase the chances that this degree will be completed successfully.

Examples of Careers that Require Bachelor Degree Training Dietitians Foresters Graphic Designers Social Workers Technical Writers Financial Counselors Meeting and Convention Planners

Options for Post-High School Training Education Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree There are many careers in which you may be interested that require education beyond a bachelor’s degree.

Examples of Careers that Require Training Beyond a Bachelor’s Degree Architects Lawyers Physicians Pharmacists Psychologists Teachers College Administrators

How to Choose Post-High School Training You should choose a college or training program based on criteria that are important to you. Think about your future and how post-high school training will help you prepare for life after formal education.

Where Do I Find Information? Talk to your high school counselor Visit a variety of schools Visit college websites on the Internet Use a college search program on the Internet

Factors to Consider In-State or Out-of-State In-state tuition is less expensive than out-of-state. Do colleges within your state offer the degree, activities and other criteria you and you are looking for? Distance from home

Factors to Consider Public or Private Public schools generally have less restrictive admission requirements and cost less than private schools. Private schools often offer smaller class sizes and more personalized education.

Factors to Consider School size and class sizes At large universities, you may be in classes that range from 25 to 500 students. At small colleges, classes usually range from five to 100 students.

Factors to Consider Location Is the college located in a rural community, small town, or a city? This can be an important consideration when it comes to housing, transportation and access to off-campus activities.