| It's an assumption that holds as strong today as it has | | | | or career school is probably a far better gamble than |
| throughout the last hundred years or more: if you want | | | | other options. We all know the volatility of technology, |
| to be anybody, you need to go to college or university. | | | | marketing and other areas. Meanwhile, trade school |
| Trade schools have argued against this assumption | | | | grads working in fields from electrical to massage |
| but it has always seemed an uphill battle, fought | | | | therapy have a steady career with very little changes |
| against parents, teachers, guidance counsellors and | | | | in the needs of the market. Trade schools sometimes |
| just about everyone else. Why go to trade school? | | | | receive bad press for making promises of |
| While it has always been a simple fact that college is | | | | employment, but it has to be noted that most colleges |
| not for everyone, trade schools - also called career | | | | and universities would never have the backbone to |
| schools, vocational schools and tech schools - are an | | | | claim that graduates will find jobs. |
| increasingly smart option for many young people. Let's | | | | Trade schools set students on careers that are |
| look at some reasons. | | | | uniquely challenging. Many college graduates end up at |
| Trade schools can be the most financially responsible | | | | desk jobs or sitting at a computer all day. Grads in |
| choice. Of course, the average pay rate for many | | | | skilled trades often have jobs where they are outside |
| trades - right out of school - is higher than many other | | | | or out in the field all day, often working with people. |
| entry level jobs. But on another hand, you are investing | | | | They often work with new technologies and tools, |
| a lot less to begin with. Many apprenticeship programs | | | | combining practical hands-on work with problem |
| and other trades programs are two years or even | | | | solving in fields like electrical, plumbing, construction and |
| less, resulting in a significantly lower student debt load | | | | others. Careers in trades such as massage therapy or |
| than any four year college or university degree | | | | physical fitness (for example) mean working with |
| program. | | | | people daily to improve their health. These also can |
| Job opportunities are often far less volatile than other | | | | offer time flexibility and the opportunity to run your |
| areas. If you want a steady, solid career investment | | | | own business. |
| where you know where you are going to be, a trade | | | | |