1. Evaluating Educational Options
Community Colleges
Career & Technical Schools
Four-Year Colleges
The Military
Apprenticeships
On-the-Job Training

2. Community Colleges Provide affordable education
Provide career-oriented programs which enable students to begin their career after two years of college or less.
Students completing short term programs (one year or less) receive certificates/diplomas.
Students completing two-year programs earn an Associate’s Degree.
Students can transfer to a four-year college to earn a Bachelor’s Degree.

3. Community Colleges Continued
Affordable
Classes are small
Generally do not require the SAT or ACT
Students only need a general high school education, unless specifically stated for a particular program.
GEDs are welcome.
Classes offer a number of classes at night or on the weekends to accommodate students who work during the day.
Transferable credits—BEWARE!

4. Career and Technical Schools
Short-term training in a wide variety of career fields.
Usually accepts any student with a high school diploma or a GED.
Most of the class time is spent in job-related settings where hands-on training is provided by experienced instructors. Students receive a lot of individual instruction.
Credits usually DO NOT transfer to two and four year colleges.

5. Career and Technical Schools Continued
Check out career and tech schools CAREFULLY.
Look for:
Licensing and accreditation
Facilities
Placement
Cost (Can be expensive)
Quality of Instruction
Reputation and Stability

6. Four-Year Colleges
A bachelor’s degree is necessary for approximately 20% of today’s careers.
Vary in size, costs, admissions policies, and majors they offer.
Want their students to receive a broad based education % of classes will be in general education.
Expect students to be ready for college-level work.

7. Four-Year Colleges Continued
There are approximately 2,500 four-year colleges and universities in the U.S.
The following websites are excellent resources:

8. Four-Year Colleges Continued
Public Institutions:
Between $3,000 –$13,000 per year
Students who attend public colleges out of the state they reside must pay the more expensive out-of-state tuition.
Room and Board (housing and meals) is an additional $5,000 –$10,000
Books average $700-$1,000 a year

9. Four-Year Colleges Continued
Financial Assistance
Grants—money that is awarded to a students usually because of financial need.
Scholarships– money awarded because of exceptional academic achievement, outstanding talent, skill, or financial need.
Work-Study– money a student earns by working at a campus job, usually a week
Loans– borrowed money that MUST BE repaid.

10. Military
Offers training in over 2,000 job specialties, 75% of which have civilian counterparts.
Nation’s single largest employer.
Offers a good salary and free job training.
Four major branches: Army, Navy, Air Force & Marines. Also military opportunities in the Coast Guard, National Guard, & the Reserves.

11. Military continued To enlist:
ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)
-- 9 part, 3 hour test designed to identify an individual’s aptitudes and strengths
--the higher the score, the more career and training options available
--each branch has its own score requirements
Pass a physical exam
Be a high school graduate

12. Military continued Obligations & Benefits: 2-6 years of active duty
Very difficult to leave the military before the enlistment period is over
Pay is determined by rank and number of years served.
Enlistees begin at a pay grade E-1, earning approximately $1,000 a month.
Enlistees also receive free housing and medical/dental care/
Montgomery GI Bill– opportunity to earn money for college. (Enlistees who contribute $1,200, receive $23,000 or more for college)

13. Military continued
Basic training is 6-13 weeks of physical & mental preparation involving classroom instruction, field training, and exercise.
Afterwards, enlistees receive 2-24 months of additional training.

14. Military continued Reserves & National Guard: As part-time military--
Receive basic training & job training
Then train for two days a month and two weeks a year.
Reserves & National Guard can be called to active duty when there is a national emergency or conflict.
Army National Guard help state governments with natural disasters and conflicts such as strikes and riots.

15. Apprenticeships
Apprentices learn the trade through a combination of classroom instruction and on-the-job training.
Agreements in which employers pay individuals while they learn the trade or profession.
Demand hard work but the results are often greater job security, earning power, & opportunities for advancement.
Programs are offered by employers, labor unions, and employer associations.
Programs available in over 800 occupations, over half in the construction industry.

16. On-the-Job Training
Usually provided by the employer, lasting anywhere from a few hours to several months.
It usually does not prepare an individual for a career, instead the training teaches how to perform specific job tasks.
Generally prepares for a minimum wage job with limited opportunities for advancement.

17. The End