Every year, nearly 3.7 million high school seniors graduate and are forced to enter, in one way or another, a new world. For many, the transition is easy, with a game plan in mind and the strategies to get there clearly laid out. For others, it can be the messiest time of their young lives. Having even the roughest idea of what is the best approach can help make even the most drastic changes a bit more exciting rather than terrifying.
Like so many things, the next steps are often dictated by what has already happened. Students who have performed well in high school with, unsurprisingly, have the most options. Securing great scores on tests like the SAT or ACT, as well as a higher than average GPA, coupled with extracurricular activities, may have the clearest path.
But not everyone fits into that description. That said, each of the options discussed below has a way forward for everyone who graduates high school; they may be a bit more challenging depending on the student’s past, but all are equally possible.
Slightly less than half of the American high school graduates enter college. Once upon a time, college was a great way to a great future. However, a four-year degree is no longer a guarantee of success. That said, it is by far the most common, and many view it as the most prestigious, so it is worth starting here.
By far the biggest pro of college is that it can open a lot of doors. For anyone who wants to be a doctor, a lawyer, an engineer, or a teacher, college is a must. Increasingly, any professional job will require college, though there is some flexibility regarding what one’s major is.
Also, college can be a very fulfilling time for social and personal reasons. The chance to make lifelong friends, find one’s passions, and ease the transition from high school to the real world is hard to pass upon. Freshmen who don’t know how to do their own laundry soon become seniors capable of juggling dozens of different commitments.
Finally, college allows many graduates to shift gears within the course of a career. Someone who starts off in sales can transition to management, and then into a consulting role. After all, many of the same skills are at use, and any good college degree is going to focus on those skills.
Still, college does have some disadvantages. The first of these is debt; plenty of Americans leave college with an average of $37,000 in debt; some of them leave without a degree. Compounding that is that without proper planning, college can take longer than four years.
finally, an increasing number of college graduates are underemployed when they graduate. A degree in communications or criminology isn’t going to open doors like a degree in accounting or engineering will, and many employers respect degrees in subjects like History or Classics more than an ‘easy’ degree. Because of this, students are advised to build skills, like programming or public speaking, along with their studies.
An increasing number of Americans are opting to go abroad for college. Foreign universities offer substantial value for their cost, and some can even let students graduate with a bachelor’s degree in three years.
Going abroad makes sure that a graduate will stand out. Also, for families looking at paying full price for college, going abroad is often cheaper than even in-state tuition at public universities. In fact, some countries like Germany offer free tuition to Americans at a number of universities!
Additionally, foreign university graduates are often allowed to stay and work for a couple of years after they graduate. This is a great way to get international experience on one’s resume.
However, the opportunities for financial aid are often limited overseas. While the sticker price may be lower, there is less room for discounts. Also, most countries’ universities expect students to know what they want to study when they enter; there is no such thing as an ‘undecided’ major.
Finally, some students may lack the maturity necessary to go abroad. Different laws are enforced differently overseas, and a lack of respect for local customs can cause major headaches.
Instead, many undecideds would benefit greatly from going to community college for a couple of years. With hundreds of campuses around the country, going to community college is one of the most popular (and smartest!) steps for many students.
Community college tuition is cheap. In fact, some states like Tennessee don’t charge tuition to in-state students. Also, due to general education requirements, many universities allow community college graduates to transfer as juniors, as they have already fulfilled most of their non-major work.
However, community college is not without its disadvantages. Students looking for a social scene should be aware that the average age of a community college student is often in the late 20s. Also, some of the independence built from being on campus at a traditional college is lost when going to a community college.
A similar option to community college, trade schools, and apprenticeships offer students the chance to specialize in a given trade or technical job. Many of these jobs are more blue-collar in nature; however, earnings for the trades remain at an all-time high, and many apprenticeships and trade schools offer considerable financial incentives.
Those financial incentives are tempting - some even offer to pay while students study! Additionally, these options tend to be more focused on securing a job in a field that is not likely to go away any time soon. Students can be assured of job security, and given that many such fields have a union as well, there is something to be said about establishing oneself early in a career that will keep them gainfully employed for the remainder of their working lives.
That security can quickly become a con, however, if a student decides that he or she no longer wants to practice a given trade. It is hard to walk away from a relatively high salary when a student has few other developed skills. Other trades are available, but if a tradesperson is unable to quit work due to family or other financial commitments, then it is exponentially more difficult to shift paths during the course of a career.
Hundreds of thousands of graduates join the military every year. Especially for those with limited financial means, being in the military offers job training, a stable lifestyle, and income. Plenty of people have had amazingly successful careers in the military, and millions more have used it as a jumping-off point for practically any of the options discussed above.
Two major advantages emerge from military service while on active duty. First, service members are paid decently well. They won’t become rich, but there is enough allowance made for the cost of living differences, housing needs, and food that only truly irresponsible service members will face financial difficulty under normal circumstances.
Second, the military provides expert training in a number of critical job roles. For those looking to establish a career in public service or safety, the military is a no brainer. However, those who want to work in technology, international business, or even sales can find great experiences in the military.
Then there are the secondary advantages. Military members and veterans receive discounted services at a number of establishments. One of the most lucrative of these is higher education; even after a short enlistment, military veterans can use the GI Bill to go to college or a trade school for free.
Not surprisingly, there are some disadvantages to military service. First and foremost, service members may be asked to sacrifice their lives for their country or the mission. That is a weighty prospect for many 18 year olds. Additionally, the nature of the military lends itself towards discipline. While there’s still plenty of relationships to be built, the mission will always come first.
Finally, military members are expected to put their jobs first. This could involve living in dangerous or remote places; the military has a number of bases in Alaska, after all. An inability to put one’s job first may well find them having to do a job that is otherwise undesirable; plenty of toilets have been scrubbed because of service members unwilling to comply with orders.
Increasingly, online options are becoming more and more popular with high school graduates. Many offer qualifications that are the same that could be earned on campus, with an increased emphasis on skills.
Skills are not the only advantage to online programs. Very often, cost and flexibility are the deciding factor when it comes to students wanting to study online. Online programs are often, but not always, much cheaper than on campus options. Additionally, they have streamlined financial aid offices that often help students gain access to federal and state funding in a very streamlined fashion.
Additionally, these programs are flexible. Many are designed to work around a student’s professional and family commitments. This makes them especially attractive to students who may have to juggle various priorities, but still want to get an education.
The main issue with online programs is that they don’t always offer the best value; make sure that an online program is as cheap as community college programs. After all, many community college campuses offer online, night, or weekend courses. Additionally, accreditation can be an issue. Make sure that an online program is accredited, ideally by a regional accrediting agency. That said, don’t be afraid of online or distance courses; Gandhi famously studied by mail through the University of London (in a program that still exists today!) and everything from a certificate to a doctorate can be earned online from very reputable universities.
Dozens of different post-secondary educational options exist for students today, and none of them have clear advantages or disadvantages. Ultimately, it is up to each individual student to weigh the importance of campus experience, their future plans, their finances, and other commitments in order to make the most informed decision possible. Doing so will help make sure that each student is able to achieve his or her goals while limiting worries over future debt and wasted time.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional consultation or advice related to your health or finances. No reference to an identifiable individual or company is intended as an endorsement thereof. Some or all of this article may have been generated using artificial intelligence, and it may contain certain inaccuracies or unreliable information. Readers should not rely on this article for information and should consult with professionals for personal advice.