What to Know About Choosing a Career After High School

Great Careers Start Here

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Straight out of high school, you can head to a four-year college, create a mountain of student debt, and the eventual search for a job. That’s one path. But it’s not the only one. In fact, fewer students are enrolling in college now. That doesn’t mean those high school grads don’t have dreams and ambitions for a real career. How do you get a career without a four-year degree? Choose a career that doesn’t require a four-year degree and get the training you need to make it happen.

What Kinds of Careers Can You Get Without a Four-Year Degree?

Careers in the Trades and healthcare support positions don’t require a four-year degree. You could train to become an HVAC Technician, a Medical Assistant or Dental Assistant in less than a year. There are even tech training programs that can provide you with the skills you need to get out in the workforce while your friends are still taking philosophy courses.

How Do You Know Which Career is Right?

Training programs span a variety of industries, but which one is right for you? If you can’t decide which field to enter, here are a few helpful tips to narrow it down.

Think About Your Interests

Have you ever taken a skills assessment quiz in middle or high school? Tests like the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator and the DiSC assessment are designed to give you insight into your strengths and interactions with others. They also can help you home in on the kind of career that might be right for you. Even without a test, you should have a sense of what you like and how you learn. For example, are you more of a hands-on learner or are you fine listening to lectures? Do you like computers and technology? Or do you think helping others through a healthcare career sounds more like you? Think about what you like to do and how that can translate into a career.

Consider Your Skills

You know what you like, but what are you good at? Sometimes they go hand-in-hand. Sometimes they don’t. Maybe you’re super organized, but never thought how well that would translate to a job in an office. You might make a great office assistant. Are you detailed-oriented? You might consider a career in medical billing and coding. If you have a knack for problem solving and like to tinker with your hands, you might want a career in the trades.

Ask for Advice

Your guidance counselors and teachers can offer you a wealth of advice when it comes to picking a career. Don’t be afraid to reach out to them with your questions. They can share their own experiences and help guide you to a career path that makes you feel excited about your future.

Benefits of Career-Specific Training

Earning a four-year degree from a college or university is just one path to follow after high school, and it’s not the right path for everyone. Career-specific training programs offer benefits that you may not be aware of.

You Can Graduate Faster

You can complete many training programs in less than two years. Some even award an associate degree. While traditional college students are still working toward their degree, you can join the workforce and start building your resume.

Hands-On Classes

Many career programs combine demonstrations with doing. You watch, learn, and do. Unlike stadium seating college courses, the courses provide hands-on opportunities for you to thoroughly learn new material and practice until you get it right.

You Gain Real-World Experience

Your instruction will allow you to put the lessons that you learn in the classroom into practice, which means you gain real experience that you can’t get from a textbook. Your training program might also include an externship at a local business, or preparation for licensure or certification. All of this training adds to your resume and can help you stand out from the competition.

If you’re ready to take the first step toward your career, contact Charter College today. We offer a variety of training programs in Business, Health Care, Information Technology, and the Trades. Classes are enrolling now. Call 888-200-9942 or fill out the form to learn more.

888.200.9942