SUCCESS MAKING

4-Year Colleges and Technical Schools -What Is Right For You?

This article provides a comparison of 4 year colleges and technical schools. Which one

First consider what the benefits and the disadvantages are for each type of school.
Let’s brain storm your options

What are your specific career goal?
What are your academic goals?
What kind of work or profession are you interested in.
What are your strengths? Weaknesses?
Would you benefit from a shorter more targeted program?

Lifestyle. How will school blend into your life? Non-traditional scheduling such as online, evening, or distance learning? 4-year colleges and technical colleges both offer such options, but it varies by school so check with any schools you are interested in attending.

What do you need? Realistically, what sort of degree or training do you need to pursue your dreams? Research your desired field–know what the requirements are and how they compare to the programs you are considering. The US Department of Education website offers resources for career and training research.

Investigate the following: campus size, current and former students, faculty and staff; Find out if the school is accredited and licensed; Do they make extraordinary claims? Will your credits be transferable?

What are the benefits of a traditional 4-year college degree :

Benefits: liberal arts training applies to many fields, diverse topics to explore, prestige, “college life”

Disadvantages: expensive, time consuming, may get degree in area you no longer wish to pursue, high admission standards and prerequisites, job market may be slower upon graduation-may require additional training

(education beyond high school) These jobs include: * Medical Assistants * Social and human service assistants * Home health aides * Medical records and health information technicians * Physical therapist aides * Physical therapist assistants * Fitness trainers and aerobics instructors * Veterinary technologists and technicians * Hazardous materials removal workers * Dental hygienists * Occupational therapist aides * Dental assistants * Personal and home care aides * Self-enrichment education teachers * Occupational therapist assistants * Environmental science and protection technicians, including health * Preschool teachers, except special education * Respiratory therapists

For more information on job growth statistics see the Bureau of Labor Statistics webpage.