It is never too early to think about your future.
Research shows over and over again that these days it is more important than
ever to have some type of post-secondary education/training to be able to find
a job/career that brings personal satisfaction and enables one to live a decent
(by today’s standards) lifestyle. There
are many ways and places to get this post-secondary training, and no one path
is better than another. It’s just that one of these paths will be better for
you, the individual.
If school isn’t your thing, and you’d prefer more
hands-on experience, check out apprenticeships and on-the-job training. There
are many possibilities out there, and in a nutshell, you would learn,
literally, on the job with a skilled master of whatever trade you choose. You
would likely have some classwork, too, but much of the learning would be
on-the-job with this mentor. You would also earn a paycheck with this option,
and often, a job would be offered to you at the end of your training. You can
find out more about this at: www.ICANsucceed.org/careertraining.
If a short-term program is more likely to suit you, there
are numerous short term programs at the wonderful community colleges in our
state. Certificates, diplomas, associate’s degrees – ranging from a program
lasting a few months to possibly two years – offer much knowledge and great
skills in many different areas. Community colleges tend to be one of the most
affordable choices – especially when you consider time and money spent vs pay
earned when on the job following completion of your program. Community colleges
are located all over the state, and each one has unique and standard programs
included in its offerings. A listing and map of Iowa’s community colleges can
be found at this link: https://www.futurereadyiowa.gov/community-colleges.
There are also lots of great four year colleges and
universities in Iowa and other states as well. Besides Iowa’s three state
universities (Iowa State, U of Iowa, and UNI), there are numerous private
4-year colleges, in nearly every region of the state. Keep in mind that a bachelor’s degree is
certainly not necessary for everyone, but certain careers require a 4-year
degree. If a bachelor’s degree is in your future, but you are worried about
finances (if borrowing money for college, a 4-year degree can definitely get
pricey), consider starting at a community college to save some money, and then transferring
to a 4-year college/university to finish your degree. My advice on this would
be to always talk to a transfer admissions counselor at the 4 year school to
guide you in your decisions about transfer credits. The 4-year college has the
final say about what credits will be accepted and what credits won’t. As you make these decisions, be sure to
consider the total possibility of debt you may accrue as you pursue your
degree. Your total debt from all of the years you are in college should not be
more (or at least not much more) than what you can expect to make your first
year on the job. The following link will
give you ICAN’s listing of all of the colleges in Iowa: http://www.icansucceed.org/index.cfm?nodeID=63212&audienceID=1
Most importantly, if you aren’t sure what you want to do
post-high school, continue to explore careers and training possibilities
through your school’s chosen career/college readiness program (i.e. I Have a
Plan, MAPS, etc.) or try a new one, such as www.actprofile.org.
You can also make an appointment with an ICAN Student Success Advisor at any
one of our locations, and we will help you explore careers and/or colleges. Think about your goals in life, as well as
your interests and passions, and keep an open mind when it comes to your
future. Any of the aforementioned post-secondary training paths can provide the
skills and knowledge necessary for a satisfying, enjoyable, well-paid career –
you just have to figure out which path is the best one for you!
Mary Joan - ICAN Sioux City and Orange City Centers
