Too many times individuals believe that they need to go get a 4-year degree in order to be successful in their life. To some extent, this isn’t incorrect. Not only do people go to college because it’s what their parents want and think but they go through the college process and never use what they went to school for. So they end up going for the wrong reason and never use what they thought they wanted to do. I for one went to college because that is what my parents wanted and believed was the right answer, my father determined what was the best school of study for me to be successful later in my life. I majored in business with an emphasis on at that time Personnel Management but didn’t know I wanted to get into HR until my junior year taking labor relations. So when planning your future and your parent’s money, whether to attend a traditional four-year college or opt for a Technical (Tech) school can be life-defining. Both options offer unique opportunities, but they come from different learning experiences, career options, and financial considerations. Here is a breakdown of what to think about.
College Experience
Traditionally college offers a broad academic experience, and life lessons on growing up and being disciplined. In taking general education courses in addition to their major, exploring subjects like history, literature, and social sciences, even if they’re majoring in something specific like engineering, business, or biology. The goal is to create well-rounded graduates who have both specialized knowledge and a broader worldview. While considering the Pros and Cons of College here are a couple of to consider of both.
PROS
You will get a diverse well-rounded education that can open doors to many different careers.
Many employers look at a bachelor’s degree as a basic requirement for a variety of fields.
Colleges and Universities provide networking opportunities through internships, alumni groups, and extracurricular activities throughout your career.
On average, college graduates tend to earn more over the course of their careers than those with less formal education.
CONS
The cost of an education increases every year which will leave a student with loans for a long period of time.
There is a very large time investment to get a bachelor’s degree and if they choose to get a master’s that will be more time.
Depending on what you major in could depend on your success in getting your first job.
Technical Experience
Tech Schools (Trade Schools) focus on hands-on training for specific careers. As we go through our day-to-day lives, we need people who handle electrical, HVAC, plumbing, etc., and can’t find them anywhere and when you do they can change a very competitive rate for services. I was in the construction industry for years and one of the most needed roles was a qualified welder. These jobs can command very attractive rates. You will learn the exact skills that are needed to do the job from day one. Programs range from a few months to two years depending on the field, and a lot of these individuals are placed immediately upon graduation.
PROS
Provides specialized skill development for you to pursue your career whether you’re in electrical, plumbing, automotive, robotics, information technology.
You will spend less time getting your degree/certificate than a traditional college.
Tech Schools are generally much cheaper than a four-year college where you can save on tuition and housing.
There is a high demand for skilled trades such as electricians, HVAC, etc. and if you combine a union apprenticeship with this you will get your needed certificates to start your own business.
CONS
There is a limited number of careers that might not provide flexibility to shift into other fields without further education or training.
Potentially you might have lower long-term earnings.
Final Thoughts
Both college and tech schools offer valuable paths to a successful future, and one isn’t better than the other. It all depends on your goals, financial considerations, and interests. All ways to keep in mind that you should always invest in yourself and your future. Not every college graduate makes and lot of money and gets a job right out of graduation and the path you take to get to where you want to could be very different. In my career, I believed that I wanted to get into HR but it started with a recruiting agency then a move to a corporation, and on to two more companies spanning 37 years before starting my own business in HR consulting. The other thing to remember with a college degree is that in order to learn and succeed you have to sit in all the seats, take assignments which you might not want to but it all pays off at some point in time.