Vo-Tech Education

Studying for a particular trade or skill-based occupation can have tremendous benefits post-high school. The costs involved with vocational/technical schools are often an investment in a career path that can be financially and personally rewarding.

 What It Is
 What You Get
 What It Can Cost
 Advantages
 Disadvantages
 More Info



What It Is

Itīs called a lot of things—vo-tech, trade school, or career college—but it all basically boils down to the same thing - a post-high school, non-academic education that has a curriculum in a particular field of study built right into it. If a liberal arts or traditional college education is not for you, or you know exactly which vocation you want to pursue and are ready to dive right in, vo-tech can be the way to go.

In the past, you got this kind of education at one of the 725 private medical, business, or specialized/technical schools in the United States. Now, local community colleges often offer vo-tech courses or full curricula. In fact, over the last several years, many community colleges have added vo-tech courses to their catalog of offerings due to the demand and growth in technical occupations.



What You Get

You'll get an education specific to a career field, enabling you to be employable in that field upon program completion. Training is "hands on" and, frequently, you learn within an environment similar to one at which you may work in the real world.

Most vo-tech school programs have become more specialized and more intense. That translates into more work for you—hard, intense, fulfilling work—and probably a shorter program. You should know which specific field and occupation you want to enter before you choose a school.

Profiles of over 200 different jobs to consider



What It Can Cost

Here's where you have to do your homework. Before signing on to any vo-tech course or curriculum, research your options. Costs for vo-tech education can vary depending on where you go and what you are studying.

Costs may be most reasonable at a community college and most expensive at a private school. Tuition can range as high as $10,000 per year, depending on curriculum, program length, and the reputation of the school. The best way to get the bottom line on cost is to ask. Contact your community college or the vo-tech schools you think you might be interested in attending and inquire directly. Cost may influence your decision, and it's best to know the financial scoop before getting too deep into the application process.



Advantages

Intense is often the name of the game with vo-tech education. Vo-tech college programs tend to be shorter in duration than "regular" academic college programs because they are field-specific. This lets you get your schooling over with and get to work within a shorter cycle.

Your instructors always have personal experience in the fields in which they teach; they may even be known experts in their fields. Also, if you need a license to be employed in a particular field, vo-tech schools will teach you exactly what it takes to get one.



Disadvantages

Investing a lot of time — and in some cases money — in training for a particular skill or job may be a wasted if you decide that it's not what you really want to do.

Also, fluctuations in the job market may present you with temporary or longer-term challenges as the economy changes. What if demand for your trade declines, or is rendered obsolete by changes in technology or the workforce? Circumstances beyond your control may leave you highly skilled in a field, but with few opportunities to exercise those skills. Certainly consider the market as you choose a track to follow.



More Info

For a complete listing of all vo-tech schools, consider checking your local library or bookstore. Ask for the college and vo-tech book section. Books by Peterson's are updated every year and often have the most comprehensive listings available.

Online search engines can help you find some options, including this helpful site:

Guide to Vocational and Technical Schools
Info by state, by school, and about financial aid options