VOCATIONAL SCHOOLA vocational school, also called a trade school, is a higher-level learning institution that specializes in providing students with the technical skills they need in order to perform the tasks of a particular job.

Trade schools give students the chance to earn a diploma or formal certification without requiring a large number of classes that are unrelated to the student’s desired career path.

Can you think of any careers that would require some form of vocational training?

Career OptionsThere are many different vocational higher learning institutions that focus on a particular trade. Some examples of careers that often require some form of vocational training include:

• Appliance Repairer• Carpenter• Cook/Chef• Cosmetologist• Court Reporter• Dental Hygienist• Electrician• Esthetician• Forest Fire Fighters• Medical Assistant• Paralegal• Massage Therapist • Mechanic• Veterinary Technician• Welder• X-Ray Technician

*These are only some examples of a variety of different trades you can learn.

BENEFITS OF TRADE SCHOOL• Job Security—trade schools often have a high job placement rate.

• Complete your post-secondary education in a short amount of time.

• Average annual income can range from $35,000-55,000 depending on the trade.

• Cost effective

COST OF TRADE SCHOOL• The cost of receiving an education from a trade school varies greatly and

depends on many factors. • Depending on the trade you are learning and the amount of time it takes to

complete your program—vocational education can range anywhere from $7,000-30,000.

• Whereas going to school at a university can cost $9,000-30,000 per year, trade school ranges from $7,000-30,000 to complete your entire program.

Types of Post-Secondary Education

Time you’re there:

What you can get:

Public or Private:

Options after you finish:

Financial Aid and scholarships?

*Vocational School*Trade School*Technical School*Career College

6 months-3 years

*Certification/License *Technical Diploma*Associate’s Degree

Mostly Private 1. Go straight to work.

2. With an Associate’s Degree, you can transfer to a 4 year college.

YES!

*Community College*Junior College

2 years (if you go full time and pass all of your classes)

*Associate’s Degree*Certificate

*Community College—public.*Junior college—mostly private.

1. Go straight to work.

2. Transfer to a university (if all credits are accepted you’ll enter as a junior)

YES!

4 Year College/University

4 years (if you go full time and pass all of your classes)

Bachelor’s Degree

Both. 1. Go to work.2. Go to graduate

school.

YES!

ARCHITECT

BACHELOR’S DEGREE4 YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

PARAMEDIC

ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR DIPLOMA/CERTIFICATE

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR TRADE SCHOOL

MASSAGE THERAPIST

CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMATRADE SCHOOL

HIGH SCHOOL TEACHER

BACHELOR’S DEGREE (OR HIGHER)

4 YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

JOURNALIST

BACHELOR’S DEGREE4 YEAR COLLEGE OR

UNIVERSITY

AUTOMOTIVE TECHNICIAN

CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMATRADE SCHOOL

ENGINEER

BACHELOR’S DEGREE4 YEAR COLLEGE OR

UNIVERSITY

DOCTOR

BACHELOR’S DEGREE + MEDICAL DEGREE

4 YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY + MEDICAL SCHOOL

HAIR STYLIST

CERTIFICATE OR DIPLOMATRADE SCHOOL

LAWYER

BACHELOR’S DEGREE + LAW DEGREE

4 YEAR COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY + LAW SCHOOL

NURSE

ASSOCIATE DEGREE OR HIGHER

COMMUNITY COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY

* Similar to many other careers—As a nurse, the higher the level of your degree the more money you’ll make and options you’ll have!

Trade school, community college, and university are all great options for pursuing post-secondary education. It’s important that you choose whichever option you feel is best for you and your future goals!