Post secondary education questions: Alternatives to college.

_{(This post is part of the series on postsecondary education.)}

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This might be a good time to switch gears and consider what a young person, high school diploma in hand, might do other than enroll immediately in a four-year university.

I'm going to start a list. Help me finish it in the comments.

Alternatives to College (or at least to "college right away")

Learn a trade. This can be done through local unions (in my area, for example, the St. Paul electricians' union has a five-year on-the-job apprenticeship program) or postsecondary trade schools and institutes. Some programs take less than a year, while others culminate in associates degrees, still others can lead into specific bachelors programs, and others are multiyear apprenticeship-journeyman-master sequences. Acquiring a valuable skill could boost your hourly wages enough to let you work your way through traditional college afterward.

Start a business. It takes initiative and research, and sometimes several failures precede success, but it's open to anyone.

Join a national or community service initiative, either public or private. On the public side, for instance, Americorps is still around; private organizations such as religious denominations may have service programs too; and there may be something in your community.

Join the military. Technical or professional training is often paid for by the government, and there's job security and benefits; the level and length of commitment varies.

Work hard and save money for a while. Instead of going straight to university, spend a year or two in the workforce, wherever a job can be found. Acquire an appreciation for the value of money and time; learn about an industry or business from the bottom up; see your own community through the eyes of a responsible adult.

Self-education. If you happen to have a source of funds, consider whether part of it could be put towards supporting yourself while you pursue a non-traditional means of broadening your horizons -- travel? Community-based language learning? Self-guided study? Fine arts? Some kind of internship?

Local government and politics. Run for office, or work in the office of a local official, or throw your lot in with a candidate, or with an organized political group or party.

Take a health year.  Break an addiction -- or just some bad habits.  Run a marathon -- or just get off the couch.  Set a year-end goal, plus some medium- and short-term ones, and arrange your life to support them.  Invest in a longer and better-quality life.

 

Any more ideas?

Comments

[Barbara C.]

Join a Religious Order: I don't think that all orders require a college degree anymore; although I know that some did in the past.

Of course, I don't know if you count seminary the same as college.

[Barbara C.]

Get married and become a housewife/house husband.

[Bearing]

Both of those are alternatives, Barbara, but do you think that either is a good idea for very many 18-year-olds?

I suppose they both belong there for completeness. As I think about it, of course, joining a religious order is not as momentous as getting married, because there are several years of formation and living in community before perpetual vows make it a permanent choice.

[MelanieB]

I'd add travel to the list. Go to a foreign location, get a job for a few months, earn some money, see the sights, soak up the culture, meet people, then if you want move on to another short term job in another place. It may not add to your savings but it also need not put you in debt if you can get a student work visa for the places you want to visit.

My best friend did this immediately after college. She went to London, worked in a pub, traveled, made some lifelong friends. I went to visit her while she was there and I think it wasn't a bad option.

It's a very popular option for young people in Australia and New Zealand who will often take a year off to travel and work in Europe. I met a few of them when I went to visit my friend.

I've also known people to do the travel/work thing in Asia.

[Bearing]

Yes -- I have that up there under "self education."