College used to be a one-way ticket to a comfortable lifestyle, but times have changed and maybe your passions have too. College is an amazing experience for those who may want to pursue athletics or have a set career path in mind which a college’s course load may help them attain, however, there are other non-traditional routes you can take if you feel that college is not the right fit for you, whether that be due to financial reasons or simply that the courses a college has to offer do not guide you to pursuing your professional or personal goals.
An alternative to attending a 4-year college right out of high school includes taking a gap year and potentially traveling. Taking a gap year after high school sounds daunting, however, it will allow you to get a broader perspective outside of academia. There are ways to get back into schooling after a gap year, and in the meantime, you can discover a career path that you are passionate about or that can fund your passions. Even if you are not solely focused on your financial state during your gap year, you can pursue your creative ambitions and contribute to charity work to keep yourself engaged.
To make money while still in a gap year, you can apply for internships or even try to make money online through online sources (such as selling clothes on DePop, virtual tutoring, and remote jobs). You can supplement this income with jobs near you that don't require a college degree. Having some level of certification may help with that.
To attain levels of certification without attending a 4-year college, you can attend a community college for an associates degree, an online school, or a (coding) boot camp that may last a couple of months and put you on a career path with financial stability, or a trade school which provides opportunities to work in fields such as electronics or being a secretary.
If you are looking for something other than an educational institution to join, other alternatives include joining an apprenticeship in which you can learn trades such as plumbing, or joining the military- which includes benefits such as healthcare, home loans, and training.
Don’t feel afraid if you are not ready or dedicated to attending a four-year college out of high school. There are other alternatives to achieving financial independence while fulfilling your goals.
Works Cited
“8 Practical College Alternatives - OnPoint.” OnPoint Community Credit Union, https://www.onpointcu.com/blog/8-practical-college-alternatives/. Accessed 3 October 2022.
Moody, Josh, and Anayat Durrani. “Alternatives to a 4-Year College: What to Know.” USNews.com, 28 October 2020, https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/alternatives-to-a-4-year-college-what-to-know. Accessed 3 October 2022.
“What Kind of Courses and Programs Will I Find at a Trade School?” Learn.org, https://learn.org/articles/What_Kind_of_Courses_and_Programs_Will_I_Find_at_a_Trade_School.html. Accessed 3 October 2022.
“What To Do After High School: 9 Things To Do Besides College.” Teen Vogue, 4 April 2019, https://www.teenvogue.com/story/5-alternatives-after-high-school-not-college. Accessed 3 October 2022.
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