What are My Alternatives to College?

Obtaining a bachelor's degree from a four-year institution is a solid and even necessary foundation for students pursuing certain careers. But for others, a path different than the traditional 4-year college route can provide great benefits. Some advantages of nontraditional routes include gaining work experience, reducing school expenses, refining vocational plans, acquiring skills, and jumpstarting a career. Everyone's journey is unique. Here are a few ideas of alternate pathways.

Trade Schools

Trade schools, technical schools, and vocational schools are institutions that provide job-specific training and practical skill development. Some schools offer programs that can be completed in as little as ten weeks, whereas other programs may be up to two years. Training often combines both academic and technical education that prepares an individual to go directly into the workforce with the potential to earn a competitive salary that might compete with salaries earned by those with a 4-year degree. Trade school professions include plumbers, computer programmers, and electricians. The Federal Trade Commission offers some helpful advice about choosing a vocational school here.

Technology Programs

With many jobs now requiring specialized training in technology, programs are emerging that focus solely on those skills and then lead into a career. For example, Galvanize aims to teach specific software and coding skills and Always Hired offers a technology sales boot camp.

Gap Years

A gap year is usually considered a set time between high school and college. Students may defer their admission to college, or plan to apply the following fall. A gap year can provide a chance to discover new cultures, learn responsibility, develop skills, explore a career field, volunteer, and more. Learn more about gap years here.

Apprenticeships

An apprenticeship is an opportunity to work and study simultaneously. You are paid through an employer to work on site while also progressing through coursework and training to earn you a nationally recognized qualification. The federal Office of Apprenticeship and the Massachusetts Division of Apprenticeship Standards (DAS) are great places to start learning more about apprenticeship opportunities. Through a registered apprenticeship program, you can earn a paycheck, learn from professionals, and develop skills that employers in your field of interest value.

Immediate Careers

For some students, entering the workforce right after high school graduation is the right course of action. A great place to discover more about this college-alternative option is through CareerOneStop, a popular resource for career placement sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor. Here you can find free tools, information, and other resources that guide you in finding employment and training. There are also numerous CareerOneStop Offices in Massachusetts to match you with a career of interest. If you are outside of Massachusetts, you can explore the Federal CareerOneStop program. The Career Search tool in MEFA Pathway is another great resource to find careers that don't require a college degree.

There are countless ways to begin your path for a successful future. If you need assistance for planning your steps after high school, reach out to MEFA's college planning representatives at (800) 449-MEFA (6332) or collegeplanning@mefa.org.