Ready for college? Choosing your direction after high school can be overwhelming. If college seems too big a step, check out these options - College Bound - Brief Article

Career World, Feb-March, 2002 by Tamra B. Orr

Jasmine, 17, shook her head. "It's the same thing over and over," she explained. "Now that I'm a senior, the only thing people seem to ask me is 'Where are you going to college?' They're shocked when I say I don't know. To be honest," she added, "I have other priorities right now; college will just have to wait."

Are you being asked about college every time you turn around? Maybe you've got your answer ready, or maybe your response is a big question mark. Taking time off between high school and college is an option. You might feel the need for a break. Maybe this is the time to explore who you are and what you really want out of life. Many share this attitude. Harvard University's official acceptance letter sent out to applicants recommends that students consider taking a break from school in order to get a more solid perspective on their goals.

A Big Decision

Graduation may seem far, far away, but it will get here sooner than you think The pressure will soon be on from your family and friends to make a decision about what you're going to do with the rest of your life. If you've already submitted your application and been accepted at a college or university, your plans are clear. However, if you haven't, and you're still trying to figure out what your next step should be, consider some of the options available.

Sir, Yes, Sir!

One possibility you might consider is joining some branch of the military. You can choose from the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or the Air or Army National Guard. You get a regular paycheck, job training, medical and dental care, housing, quite a bit of money for a college education later on, and often some travel. You can learn about being a team player and taking responsibility while you are supporting and helping your country.

Volunteers: Here to Serve

If you can afford to go without a paycheck for a while, consider spending some of your time doing volunteer work. It may not provide money, but it can give you valuable experience and job skills, as well as a chance to ask questions, make important contacts, and enrich your resume. Volunteering can show you the value of giving to others and can also give you some insight into whether or not you really like a particular field. It's better to find out now, rather than two years into a degree.

Career College, Here I Come

More than 5 million students in the United States have chosen the option of attending a vocational-technical school, also known as a career college. Unlike a traditional four-year university, tech schools are nonacademic; they focus on providing an education with a curriculum that is geared for a specific career or field of study. This type of schooling is faster (usually two years) and, for this reason, much more intense. The cost is less, though. Tuition at a vo-tech school usually runs about $1,500 a year, as compared to $4,000 a year at a four-year state college or even $20,000 a year at a private university. There are more than 700 private medical, business, and technical schools in the country; and more technical courses are popping up at local community colleges in response to the growing interest.

Technical schools offer you hands-on training. Upon completion, you will get a certificate that opens the door to a job in your field of study. To find out what vo-tech opportunities are available, ask your guidance counselor, check out the resources at your local library, do a Web search, or contact your state labor department, state vocational associations, and local trade unions.

Apprenticeship or Internship

Two similar options that you might consider are becoming an apprentice or doing an internship. When you become an apprentice, you learn the skills of a particular profession from a master. He or she can tell you the ins and outs of a job, tips and shortcuts, and other important gems of information. You get a combination of supervision and instruction, and you can still earn money. Apprentices usually earn about 40 percent of what a skilled worker in the field would make. A company, labor organization, trade association, or educational trust usually sponsors apprenticeships. When your apprenticeship is over, you'll receive a certificate of completion that allows you to go out and get a job in the area you have studied. For more information, contact your local library, state labor department, or trade unions.

An internship is usually shorter than an apprenticeship and unpaid, although a stipend may be offered when you're finished. It can be a part-time or full-time position, and it often involves flexible or irregular hours. The length of time is negotiable but, by studying with experts, you can get hands-on experience and a chance to see how you feel about a specific job.

Have Time, Will Travel

One of the more exotic choices you may make after you graduate is to spend some time traveling. Explore the world, build your resume, and give yourself time to mature. You might want to pack a bag and visit friends and relatives; or you might want to join a program like AmeriCorps, a government service program for people ages 18 to 24. Check out the Web site for Where You Headed? At www.whereyouheadect.com for lots of possibilities.