Is a Career or Technical Program Right for You?

A career and technical program on the whole has atechnical students to select from, with a corresponding
shorter time span and is less expensive than getting alist of majors and minors.
traditional degree. These programs attract thePrograms encompass health care, engineering,
students who are inclined to pursue careers in aarchitecture and liberal arts. Some other available
particular industry but don't have the time or inclinationtraining programs include criminal justice, computer
to pursue a 4-year diploma program.sciences, business and law.
Career and technical programs are designed to helpHow to find out if career or technical education is right
you get a job immediately after you have completedfor you:
the program.-Number of Students: Career and technical schools
Requirements for Admissionshould have small classes, where there is generally
For admission to a career or technical program, youmore personal attention given to every student.
are simply required to have a high school diploma or-Working Days: Some institutions offer classes
equivalent. Generally, you must be more than 17 or 18conducted at night, as well as on weekends along with
years of age. There are schools that ask students toclass programs during the day. This is perfect for
present their high school records and take an entrancestudents who already have a fulltime day job. In
examination. There are a number of schools thataddition, a number of technical schools have courses
require students to present their SAT or ACT scores.available in the summer, so students can complete the
Some other schools have "open admissions" or "openprograms more quickly.
door" policies. With these policies, anybody who wants-Time Constraints: You may want to pursue a degree
to take a course can go ahead, irrespective ofthat will get you to a career that is in great demand,
whether or not they have a high school diploma.but may not have the time or funds for a conventional
Types of Programsdegree that lasts for four years. Enrolling in a career or
Career and technical institutes have a wide variety oftechnical program is a good alternative.
programs. These programs offer technical certificatesDon't let the fact that lots of people have traditional
for the completion of two-year associate degreedegrees discourage you. Graduating from a technical
programs and one or two-year diploma programs. Inor career program, particularly if you have good
addition, there are bachelor's degree programs,grades and stellar references, is a viable alternative
short-term courses, and long-term learning coursesand will enable you to get the job you want in less
available. There is a pool full of diverse programs fortime.