Not every high school graduate dreams of going to college. Instead, they dream of becoming a chef or a carpenter, a fashion designer or a medical assistant.
These and many other skilled trades can provide students with successful and fulfilling lifetime careers. And they don’t require a four-year college degree.
Schools that cater to skilled trade education are known by various names: vocational schools, trade schools, career colleges and technical schools.
What they all have in common is that they train you for a specific career, trade or profession and they offer you a certificate, degree or diploma in your chosen field.
Here are just a few of the professions you can pursue at a vocational school:
- Automotive technology
- Web design
- Video game design
- Gardening and landscape design
- Fashion marketing and merchandising
- Paralegal
- Restaurant management
- Medical lab technology
- Physician Assistant
- Veterinary assistant
- Veterinary technician
Find A Trade School
Check out these Web sites to find a trade school.
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Choosing A School
The purpose of a vocational school is to prepare you for a career in your chosen profession.
But not all schools deliver equally on that promise. To make sure you choose a school that will benefit you the most, follow these guidelines.
1. Insist on accreditation
Just like any college or university, a vocational school should be accredited. Accreditation ensures that you’ll learn skills from reliable sources and that your education will be high quality. One of the largest bodies for vocational school accreditation is the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology (ACCSCT), www.accsct.org. ACCSCT is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a private, non-profit, independent accrediting agency. At the Web site, you can search for accredited schools.
2. Check the school’s reputation
You can contact the Better Business Bureau to find out if the school has any experienced any complaints. In most cases, you can also check the state licensing board to see that the school is fully licensed to operate.
3. Learn about the requirements for graduation
Find out specifically which classes you must complete for graduation and what tests you must pass. You also need to know how long it takes to complete the program and whether you’ll be awarded a certificate or diploma upon graduation. Many professions require a license. So ask the school if it offers licensing exams. If not, does the school help its graduates obtain the necessary professional licenses?
4. Find out about job placement assistance
Many vocational schools offer job placement assistance as part of their programs. Ask the school what percent of graduates are actually placed in jobs in their chosen fields. Compare the placement rates of different schools you’re considering.
5. Visit the schools
Tour classrooms to see the student-to-teacher ratio. Look at the condition and availability of any equipment students are using. Talk to the teachers to find out about their job and career backgrounds and qualifications. Talk to students about their experiences at the school. While at the school, ask for the names and contact information of former students. Call them and ask about their education at the school as well as their careers after graduation.
6. Ask about costs
You want to know the total cost for attending the school. That means you need to know what you’ll have to pay for tuition, books, equipment, supplies and other items. Certifications and licensing offered at the school may cost extra. Some vocational schools participate in the federal student aid programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education. Find out how you might qualify for that financial aid.
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