We throw a lot of terms around in regard to career
and college information. And, it can be
confusing sometimes. What do we mean by
post-high school education? What do we
mean by college?
Post-high school education is a more general or
inclusive term. It would apply to any
kind of training that a person would receive after they graduate from high
school. It’s kind of like the term trees
includes different types of trees like oak, ash, evergreen, apple, etc. College is a specific type of post-high
school education. It involves going to a
college institution like a public or private university, a community college,
or a technical school. There is a
prescribed academic program to follow and take classes which leads to a
degree. There is tuition to pay which
pays for the costs of the education like salaries of the instructors,
equipment, etc.
But why do we use the term post-high school
education? There are forms of post-high
school education that does not fit in the category of college. Examples are: apprenticeships, the military,
on-the-job training at a company. There
are distinct advantages of these forms of post-high school education. In apprenticeships you actually earn money
while you train or otherwise known as “earn while you learn”. You will take classes frequently at no cost
to you, and you work with certified and trained workers who teach you the craft
as you work alongside them. You will
take a certification exam, and you will be ready to work. The military has a lot of great programs that
you can be trained in and that will roll into civilian employment. No tuition and Uncle Sam pays the bill. There are also G.I. benefits available for
college after the military. On-the-job
programs associated with various companies train you to work in that company
and you are employed by the company. For
example, a law enforcement officer will be hired and then be trained at a law
enforcement academy.
Another option is be trained in a skill in a
career and technical program and develop it into a business of your own. Culinary arts, construction technology, auto
or diesel technology, HVAC, etc. can all roll into a business of your own. You are then your own boss, although a friend
of mine who owns a business will tell you are not your own boss, but you
actually have 200-300 bosses. They are
called your customers!
All of these are options within the category of
post-high school education. The
important thing to remember is that by the year 2025, 68% of jobs will require
some type of post-high school education.
It could mean college, but it could mean the other options as well. Not everyone has to get a bachelor degree,
but it is in your best interest to invest in yourself and acquire some type of
post-high school education that will help you meet your goals for earnings,
benefits, employability, and self-satisfaction.
ICAN would love to help you do that!
Steve - ICAN Council Bluffs Center
