As I was preparing my own exit from high school, as a senior, I had no clue what I was going to do. My twin brother had it figured out, but I did not have a clue as to what I wanted to do, or where I wanted to go. This was in the late 80’s. There were not a lot of options then, as there are now. But one thing I knew was for certain: I could not sustain a successful and financially strong life if I did not at least continue my education in some way beyond high school.

I needed training in something somewhere so that I could develop an expertise in it and make good money doing it, whatever that “it” was! I just kept enjoying high school, not really thinking about my future. I figured I had time.

That time flew. Now I was stuck with extreme pressure to figure out what my near future entailed. I was getting ready to graduate high school and still no clue.

Sound familiar, in any sort of way?

It is okay. Time does fly, but you can figure this out a lot easier than I could in the eighties. I am here to help you through this. I have been there myself and have walked many, many people through this same situation. and questions that surround your next move.

There are so many options these days for how to continue your education. And, as you may not be aware, giving these weird times, most educational institutions and workplaces are adapting to the ever-changing demands of virtual work. But I recommend you start somewhere and at least make yourself a personal commitment to do something after high school.

Let me help. In past posts I have written, I touched on the different forms of post-secondary (after high school)

education. But there is after-high school education for everyone, no matter what you want to do. Let me explain…

What kind of college do you see yourself attending? There are different types of post secondary educational opportunities and most likely something that fits everyone! Below is information I pulled from the ereferencedesk website that gives a great explanation of all the different types of education you can receive after high school.

Public institutions are state supported. Private for-profit institutions are businesses. Private not-for-profit institutions are independent – for instance, the school might have been established by a church or through local community donations rather than by the state government.

Four-year institutions offer bachelor’s degrees, and some offer advanced degrees. two year institutions offer associate’s degrees. Less-than-two year institutions offer training and award certificates of completion.

Look at these descriptions to help you see where you fit.
Types of Postsecondary Schools
Colleges
Universities
Community colleges
Junior college
Career school, technical school, or vocational/trade school
Public vs. Private
Special Interests
Postsecondary Education
Undergraduate Postsecondary Education
Graduate Postsecondary Education
Distance Education
Types of Postsecondary Schools
Colleges:

A four-year college grants bachelor’s degrees (Bachelor of Arts; Bachelor of Science). Some colleges also award master’s degrees, and some also offer a two year Associate of Arts (AA) degree. Colleges can be specialized (for example, in nursing) or they can offer a broad curriculum, like the liberal arts which focus on the humanities, social sciences, and sciences. Classes tend to be smaller than those in universities. This provides students with more personal attention and better access to the faculty.

Universities:
A university grants bachelor’s and master’s degrees, and sometimes usually include a liberal arts college, some professional schools or colleges, and graduate programs such as a law school or medical school. Universities tend to be larger than colleges, focus more on scholarly or scientific research, and might have larger class sizes. This means they can offer the two year and four-year degrees as well as graduate degrees in advanced studies beyond four years.

Community colleges:
A public two year college granting associate’s degrees in two year liberal arts program and sometimes certificates in particular technical (career-related) subjects. Typically community college are open admissions. They are open to those 18 years of age or older. However, to be placed into a major, the individual must have a high school diploma, GED, or be placed according to ability to benefit. Some students start their postsecondary education at a community college and then transfer to a four-year school, either because a community college tends to be cheaper than a four-year college, or because admissions standards at community colleges are often less strenuous than at four-year schools. But mostly serve people from nearby communities and offer academic courses, technical courses, and continuing education courses. Public institutions are supported by state and local revenues

Junior colleges:
Similar to a community college, except that a junior college is usually a private school.

Career school, technical school, or vocational/trade school:
These terms are often used interchangeably. May be public or private, two year or less-than-two year. Study programs at these schools prepare students for specific careers and may last weeks, months, or years, depending on career requirements. At these schools, students usually receive a license, a certificate, or an associate degree. Career schools offer courses that are designed to prepare students for specific careers, from welding to cosmetology to medical imaging, etc. The difference between technical schools and trade schools is that technical schools teach the science behind the occupation, while trade schools focus on hands-on application of skills needed to do the job.

Public vs. Private
Private and independent colleges and universities offer a wide range of degrees and certificates up to the doctoral level, as well as professional degrees such as law and medicine. These schools are diverse in character, academic emphasis, and origins. Some schools have a religious affiliation; others are secular. Private schools may be profit or non-profit institutions. Typically, private schools give weight to personal characteristics and activities in addition to considering GPA and test scores. While many private schools are considerably more expensive than comparable state institutions, they also tend to offer more generous financial aid packages. Many students have found the actual out-of-pocket cost to attend a private college to be less than the cost of the state schools to which they were accepted.

Special Interests

Single-Sex: All four-year public colleges and most private schools are coed. In terms of single-sex colleges, there are about 50 specifically for men and about 70 specifically for women. Some may enroll a few men or women.
Religiously-Affiliated Colleges: Some private colleges are affiliated with a religious faith. The affiliation may be historic only or it may affect day-to-day student life.
Historically-Black Colleges: Historically-black colleges find their origins in the time when African-American students were systematically denied access to most other colleges and universities. These schools offer students a unique opportunity to experience an educational community in which they’re part of the majority.
Hispanic-Serving Institutes: There are about 135 institutions designated by the federal government as “Hispanic serving” At these schools, Hispanic students comprise at least 25 percent of the total full-time undergraduate enrollment.

Go to ereferencedesk for more info.

DO SOMETHING! Some of the best decisions I ever made in my life was to continue my education. It has helped me and sustained me financially and will for you too.

I know this can be a tough decision. You don’t have to amke it on your own. I am tarined and experienced at helping people make the right choice when it comes to career selection and WHAT you want to do. I have a very simple 3 step approach that will take you directly on the path of career selection that fits you perfectly!

I guarantee you will be inspired and motivated to make the right choices when it comes to education and career choices.

Visit me at www.abetterversioncc.com to find out more. We can schedule a free 20 minute phone consultation and see where you stand in life and how I can help.

Your success is my success,

Keith Lipke, Career Consultant

A Better Version Career Counseling