| Vocational, trade, career, technical--Whatever you call | | | | 2. What Is the Graduation Rate for Those Entering the |
| the school, the objective of the curriculum is the same; | | | | Training Programs? |
| to teach students a marketable trade not usually | | | | If this number is high, say 70% or more, this is a good |
| offered in traditional colleges and universities. | | | | sign that students find value in what they are learning, |
| Vocational schools sometimes get a bad rap as not | | | | and that the school takes good care of its students. If |
| providing a "real" education. This is really not the case. | | | | the dropout rate is very high, say more than 50%, this |
| Vocational schools are geared towards students and | | | | could be an indication that students don't feel that they |
| career changers looking to acquire useful job skills. | | | | are getting out of the program what they expected. |
| Vocational schools are not designed for the scholarly | | | | You do have to allow for some students dropping out |
| student interested in a career as a Classical Literature | | | | due to personal or financial reasons that have nothing |
| professor at an Ivy League university some day. | | | | to do with the school at all, but a high dropout rate is |
| Vocational schools serve a number of very important | | | | reason for pause. |
| sectors of the population. | | | | 3. Does the School Offer Federal Financial Aid? |
| - High school grads that are not pursuing a traditional | | | | In addition to this being a means to help pay for your |
| 4-year university degree, either due to interest of | | | | training, a school that receives federal funding has to |
| finances, but who want a career that requires | | | | be reviewed and approved by the federal |
| knowledge and training. | | | | government. Being eligible to offer federal financial aid |
| - Those in need of additional training to advance in their | | | | is a good indication that the school is on the up and up. |
| careers | | | | 4. Does The School Offer Job Placement Assistance |
| - Adults who are re-entering the workforce after | | | | Upon Program Completion? |
| some time and now need training in order to be | | | | Most vocational schools do offer placement |
| competitive in the job market. | | | | assistance, especially those that receive federal |
| What Vocational School Is Not | | | | financial aid. This is because one of the standards the |
| Vocational school is not a training ground for someone | | | | school has to meet in order to qualify for aid is proof |
| trying to pursue a high level career in Business or | | | | that a certain percentage of its students find gainful |
| Science. While most vocational schools are great at | | | | employment upon graduation. |
| giving its students the best tools to make them | | | | 5. What Percentage of Graduates Find Jobs in Their |
| competitive, the reality is that employers do consider | | | | Field and What Is The Average Salary? |
| what school you went to when you apply for certain | | | | This is very important information to have since it will |
| jobs. If your dream is to be a Wall Street banker, then | | | | help you make an informed decision about whether |
| a business degree from schools like Harvard or Yale is | | | | the program is competitive and what your future might |
| what you'll need to get you in the door. If you're more | | | | look like with that particular training under your belt. The |
| interested in a good stable career such as a | | | | numbers may be lower than normal during a significant |
| Pharmacy Technician, Computer Help Desk Specialist, | | | | downturn in the economy, but the school should be |
| Cosmetologist, Auto Mechanic or Electrician, then a | | | | able to give you historic data so that you can get an |
| vocational school is a much better option than a | | | | idea of what to expect during economic prosperity. |
| 4-year university. | | | | Vocational school is a great alternative to traditional |
| Questions You Need Answers To Before Enrolling In | | | | colleges in that they prepare you for an actual job. |
| A Vocational Program: | | | | You just have to be smart about the type of program |
| 1. Is the school accredited? | | | | you pursue. Again, vocational schools may offer a |
| Accreditation means that the school's curriculum has | | | | wide range of programs, but only some make sense |
| met high standards for education quality. The | | | | to pursue in that setting. Programs in Healthcare, |
| Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and | | | | Culinary Arts, Cosmetology and Massage Therapy are |
| Colleges(ACCSC) is the most prestigious of such | | | | great choices. Business programs in Office |
| accrediting agencies, but they are not the only one. | | | | Management or Bookkeeping are good, but programs |
| Some smaller regional schools may be accredited by | | | | in Finance are probably not the way to go. |
| a local agency, but that does not mean that the quality | | | | If you're interested in pursuing vocational training, has |
| of education is not as good as larger schools that | | | | plenty of programs for you to check out. Speak with a |
| have been accredited by ACCSC. The important thing | | | | school representative to request a brochure or |
| is that the school has allowed itself to be examined by | | | | schedule a campus tour. You may be well on your |
| an outside agency with regard to the quality of its | | | | way to a great career! |
| programs. | | | | |