Opportunities After Highschool

 

 CONGRATS! You've graduated high school. Now what?

Here are a few options: 

Apprenticeships

• Allow you to learn a skilled trade on the job under the direction of experienced workers as well as in a classroom
• These trades are in the following sectors:
• construction (e.g. electrician)
• industrial (e.g. welder)
• motive power (e.g. automotive service technician)
• service (e.g. hairstylist)
• You are paid while you do it.
• For most trades you work for a year, then switch to studying in class for 8-12 weeks, either full or part time.
• It takes between two and five years to complete an apprenticeship.

 Colleges

• Tend to smaller institutions that offer very limited scopes of programs
• More “hands on” and direct-job oriented, less academically abstract
• Shorter program lengths (usually 2-3 years) and less expensive (about $1500 a semester)
  
• Smaller class sizes
• More opportunities for co-op placements or apprenticeships
• i.e. occupational therapist, paramedic, mechanics, computer technicians, pilots
• Also support staff for professionals (i.e. paramedics, law assistants, paralegals, some nursing)
• Usually encompasses trade schools and apprenticeship programs as well as professional certificates (i.e. Red Seal)
  

Universities

• Generally large institutions with multiple campuses offering a wide variety of professional-based, academic degrees. 
• Less hands-on, more abstract programs 
• i.e. History, Biotechnology, Philosophy, Religion, Chemistry 
• Tend to be longer programs (4-5 years) and more expensive (about $2-3000 a semester)
  
• Generally large class sizes 
• Programs often lead to further study / training before careers
  

Work

• Part time vs. full time employment
• Most positions require on the job training, seminars and workshops
• Advancement may be limited as the push for higher qualifications continues to rise.