Many people who experience unemployment and heavy student loan debt have followed a popular recipe promoted in USA. It is to go to college immediately after high school and borrow tuition if necessary (everybody does it!). While in college, you can “find yourself” and go on to pursue your passion.
If you flip the script, you take away the propaganda message that everyone needs a 4-year degree, that student loan debt is inevitable, and that the only way to “find yourself” is by taking expensive college classes. What if after a $200,000 bachelor’s degree they “find” that they’d like to be something else?
What if…. they spent a bit of time working and maturing and learning about what they’d like to do for a career?
What if…. your teen learned a skilled trade first? BEFORE deciding on a 4 year degree?
What if…. they had a skill (or employer) that allowed them to pay their way through college without student loan debt?
What if…. they graduated from college at 22 or 23 or even 24 instead of 21?
This post is not a directive; it’s a question.
This post is not a recipe; it’s an idea.
This post is not for everyone, but it might be for your teen. Or not. The suggestion is that you have OPTIONS and you don’t have to march toward the cliff just because everyone else is doing so. For what it’s worth, all my kids have degrees and I’m totally pro-education credential. It helps promote professionalism in an industry, and it helps teens (employees) see that for those who take their job seriously, it can become a career. All my teens started college classes in high school and all learned a skill as well. Bachelor’s degrees came later, and were cash-flowed on an as-needed basis. I’m not saying that YOU should do that! If you’re a regular reader, you know that I think you are your child’s best guidance counselor. I hope this post leaves you with the idea that there may be more than one way to develop their homeschool exit strategy.
You should do what’s best for YOUR family, but you should know that there are many ways to get there!
Many Homeschooling for College Credit families have access to community college dual enrollment programs that allow students to take general education (English, math, history, etc.) classes as well as career and technical courses (culinary, IT, welding, nursing, etc). If your teen has this option, it’s entirely possible that they can graduate from high school with a certificate or associate degree already complete!
According to the United States Department of Labor’s Occupational Outlook Handbook, of the most in-demand/projected growth careers, several only require an associate degree.
| OCCUPATION | ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION | ON-THE-JOB TRAINING | PROJECTED NUMBER OF NEW JOBS | PROJECTED GROWTH RATE | 2020 MEDIAN PAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic medical sonographers | Associate’s degree | None | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $60,000 to $79,999 |
| Occupational therapy assistants | Associate’s degree | None | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $60,000 to $79,999 |
| Physical therapist assistants | Associate’s degree | None | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Preschool teachers, except special education | Associate’s degree | None | 50,000 or more | Much faster than average | $30,000 to $39,999 |
| Respiratory therapists | Associate’s degree | None | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $60,000 to $79,999 |
The following table indicates jobs projected to grow “much faster than average” but that only require a high school diploma followed by a bit of training.
| OCCUPATION | ENTRY-LEVEL EDUCATION | ON-THE-JOB TRAINING | PROJECTED NUMBER OF NEW JOBS | PROJECTED GROWTH RATE | 2020 MEDIAN PAY |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flight attendants | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Industrial machinery mechanics | High school diploma or equivalent | Long-term on-the-job training | 50,000 or more | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Chefs and head cooks | High school diploma or equivalent | None | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Security and fire alarm systems installers | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| First-line supervisors of gambling services workers | High school diploma or equivalent | None | 1,000 to 4,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Media and communication workers, all other | High school diploma or equivalent | Short-term on-the-job training | 1,000 to 4,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Solar photovoltaic installers | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training | 5,000 to 9,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Bus drivers, transit and intercity | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Choreographers | High school diploma or equivalent | Long-term on-the-job training | 1,000 to 4,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Costume attendants | High school diploma or equivalent | Short-term on-the-job training | 1,000 to 4,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Forest fire inspectors and prevention specialists | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training | 0 to 999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Community health workers | High school diploma or equivalent | Short-term on-the-job training | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| First-line supervisors of personal service and entertainment and recreation workers, except gambling services | High school diploma or equivalent | None | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Photographers | High school diploma or equivalent | Moderate-term on-the-job training | 10,000 to 49,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Recreational vehicle service technicians | High school diploma or equivalent | Long-term on-the-job training | 1,000 to 4,999 | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
| Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors | High school diploma or equivalent | Short-term on-the-job training | 50,000 or more | Much faster than average | $40,000 to $59,999 |
Career School Now Website
“WHAT IS A TRADE SCHOOL?
Trade school is hands-on education. It’s a learning format focused on teaching you a specific set of skills, so there aren’t as many general education courses (outside of 1-2) that pertain to the career. This dramatically reduces classroom time.
Trade schools have small class sizes, approximately 5-30 students. Small class sizes give you more one-on-one time with the instructor, making it easier to ask questions and receive answers.
Vocational school education gets you into many well-paying careers. In 2020, for example, dental assistants in had an average annual pay of $42,310 (bls.gov). Electricians averaged an annual pay of $61,550, and HVAC technicians made an average annual pay of $53,410 (bls.gov). There are dozens of industries with hundreds of career roles to chose from; these are just the tip of the iceberg.
Additionally, the trades have many open positions, and since trades deal with essential life elements, they typically come with job stability. Skilled trades such as plumbing, electrical, and welding are experiencing shortages of qualified people. Medical & Healthcare—which many of the fastest-growing occupations fall under—and technology are also experiencing the same problem: more jobs opening and no one to fill them.
Those coming out of trade schools have good opportunities. Your specialized training will prepare you for a great career, and give you the necessary certifications to take on an entry-level job.
Fast Trade School Programs with Good Pay
The salaries listed below are the average pay from the official BLS website. Keep in mind, entry level pay is less, but as you gain experience, your paycheck will increase to match. In some areas the jobs listed, like truck driver and HVAC technician are moving very fast and have been paying more than this list would indicate.
Truck Driver
- Commercial driver’s license (CDL) training programs are fast! They take 3-6 weeks to complete; average pay: $47,130 per year or $22.66 per hour per hour. There is a major trucker shortage right now.
Read: What does a truck driver do?
Diesel Mechanic
- Diesel mechanic training programs take 6 months to 1 year to finish, but some schools do offer 2 year associate’s degree programs; average pay: $50,200 per year or $24.13 per hour.
Read: What does a diesel mechanic do? for more.
Medical Assistant
- Certified medical assistant programs can take as little 8 weeks to a few months to complete. This is another career where you can stay in school longer, up to an associate’s degree; average pay: 35,850 per year or $17.23 per hour.
Find a medical assistant school near you.
Dental Assistant
- Dental Assistant programs take 9 months to 1 year for certification training; average pay: $41,180 per year or $19.80 per hour. There are online dental assistant programs available in many states.
Read: What does a dental assistant do? for more.
Medical Coder
- Medical coding programs take about 8 weeks to a few months complete and it’s a popular online course that you can complete at your own pace. This is a career where you can stay in school longer, up to an associate’s degree; average pay: $44,090 or $21.20 per hour.
Read: What does a certified coding specialist do?
HVAC Technician
- HVAC school programs take about 6 months to 1 year to finish; average pay: $51,420 per year or $24.72 per hour. HVAC jobs are plentiful in many areas.
Read: What does an HVAC technician do?
Plumber
- Plumbing trade school programs take about 1 year of school, then you start your apprenticeship; average pay: $56,330 per year or $27.08 per hour.
Read: Plumber Job Description (& How to Become One)
You must be logged in to post a comment.