| You've just graduated from high school and you're | | | | want to help their grads get rewarding careers, and |
| making career plans. Or you're a working adult and | | | | offer career development services. The school's |
| you're ready for a job change. You decide to get | | | | career office may assist you to spruce up your |
| career training, and you start to research technical | | | | résumé and even provide job leads. But |
| schools and colleges. The question is--what can you | | | | no school will guarantee a job to anyone. It's up to you |
| expect by earning your certificate or degree? | | | | to get out there and nail that job interview. |
| You've heard the claims made by some career | | | | You may need state or federal certification to get |
| schools in advertisements. For example, a computer | | | | some jobs. Earning your degree will prepare you for a |
| school might claim that after earning your computer | | | | certification exam, but you need to pass it on your |
| network certificate, you could expect to earn $50,000 | | | | own. For example, if you complete a home health aide |
| a year as an IT specialist. You may have heard ads | | | | program, federal law requires home health aides to |
| that state that certain career fields--say, medical | | | | pass a competency test covering a wide range of |
| assisting or massage therapy--are booming, and with | | | | areas. All states require barbers, cosmetologists, and |
| training you could expect to get your dream job in one | | | | many other personal appearance workers to be |
| of these growing fields. | | | | licensed. Your school should provide information on |
| Getting career training is a good thing. But exaggerated | | | | what you need to do to take any required certification |
| promises are counterproductive. You know that | | | | tests. |
| building a rewarding career for yourself is a challenging | | | | Don't believe the hype. Some schools may convey the |
| process, and that in this difficult economy there is no | | | | impression that you're guaranteed a high-paying job |
| "magic bullet" for success. You need some straight talk | | | | after graduation, and may even give expected salary |
| about career schools and jobs. | | | | figures. Reputable and accredited schools follow |
| So, what should you expect from a career education | | | | employment trends very closely, and most career |
| program? | | | | schools don't offer programs in career areas that are |
| Expect to gain job skills. That's why you go to a | | | | not in demand. However, there are no assurances-a |
| career school--to learn new skills and increase your | | | | career school can help you get qualified and can help |
| value in the job marketplace. A career school won't | | | | you be more competitive in the job marketplace, but it |
| make you popular, or happier, or transform your life | | | | can't guarantee you a job. |
| overnight. What a good career school can do is give | | | | Do not buy a degree from a "diploma mill." If you have |
| you greater knowledge and experience that will help | | | | a lapse in personal ethics and are considering buying a |
| you qualify for a rewarding and higher-paying career. | | | | degree, think again. Employers aren't naïve. They |
| You'll be better equipped to compete for the best jobs, | | | | know all about the diploma mills and you will not get |
| and you'll have more confidence when you walk in for | | | | past the front door of the human resources office. |
| that important job interview. A good career school can | | | | Plus, you are only hurting yourself because if you buy |
| help you change your life one step at a time, in a way | | | | a diploma, you won't have any skills! If by some |
| that you can feel good about. | | | | chance you get hired you'll find yourself up the creek |
| Choose a program you love. There's no substitute for | | | | without a paddle. |
| your own passion. Don't sign up for a program just | | | | How can you decide what job training program is right |
| because they say it's "hot." Follow your heart. If you | | | | for you? The best way is to do your research online. |
| love to draw and paint, you might want to consider a | | | | Go to a reputable school directory website. Browse |
| graphic arts program. If you love to help people feel | | | | through the career schools and programs. Check out |
| better, perhaps massage therapy is for you. | | | | online programs, too. See if the career schools are |
| Check out real-world training opportunities. Many | | | | accredited and if they offer financial aid. When you've |
| schools provide training with equipment and conditions | | | | narrowed down your choices to the top four or five, |
| found in the job environment. If you're considering a | | | | then email them through the directory. The schools you |
| program in cosmetology, make sure that the school | | | | have chosen will either contact you or send you |
| offers hands-on training under salon conditions. If you | | | | information. You can apply to as many schools as you |
| are entering an automotive program, make sure the | | | | want within your budget and how much time you have. |
| school has up-to-date equipment and the opportunity | | | | And then you'll be ready to enroll, earn your certificate |
| to do real work on real vehicles. | | | | or degree, and prepare for a rewarding career. |
| Schools aren't employment agencies. Most schools | | | | |