POST HIGH SCHOOL CHOICES

 

Our goal for WCHS grads is for each to have at least a short-term plan (one-year) in place by graduation which reflects something with which the student is comfortable and which is the result of their own research and choice.

MILITARY

 

Enlistment in the military will be an option for some of our students following graduation.   Students interested in entering the military as officers will have to obtain a B.A. degree first.   For some, the attraction is serving in the military with an eye toward a possible career.   For others, it is an opportunity to figure out what they wish to do before getting out.   Others may seek the opportunity to develop a marketable skill which they intend to apply in civilian life.   Others know they want to go to college but may not feel ready for it yet and want the time to sort things out and save money for college.

A former enlisted man offers a list of “Do’s and Don’ts” some may find helpful:

           DO:

•  Bring a parent or friend along as a witness,

•  Get copies of everything you sign,

•  Talk the agreement over with a parent, relative, friend, or  counselor before you sign,

•  Get everything in writing,

•  Check out more than one service (compare the different services), and

•  Research the job they offer (read about it, try to talk with someone who does it).

 

  DON’T:

 

•  Sign anything on the first visit,

•  Be rushed or pressured,

•  Sign until you review agreement,

•  Believe in oral promises, and

•  Hide a police or medical record.

 

One final thing – always keep in mind that our country may not always be at peace.

 

WORK

 

            Full-time work after graduation will attract some of our students.   In some cases it will be entry into an anticipated career.   For others it will be a short-term position while they think through more long-term plans.

          Students interested in work should think of how to best utilize the senior year to help them toward their goal.   What courses will help give you the skills you will need?

         

TRAVEL

 

          Some students will elect to travel for an extended period of time after graduation.   While this can be a viable option, we recommend that students also explore their plans for after their travel experience.   Students have more resources available to them while still in high school than they will have after their travel experience.

COMMUNITY/TECHNICAL COLLEGES

 

          Community colleges serve two major purposes for our graduates:

          Academic transfer program – student can earn up to two years of a four-year college education.

          Vocational programs – certificate programs and degree programs lead to entry-level positions in the field upon completion of the program.   Degrees in these programs are less transferable to a baccalaureate program.

          Community colleges have basically open door admissions.   Students are required to take a placement (not admissions) test prior to their first registration.   The most common test is the ASSET.

          Students interested in vocational programs are encouraged to contact that program at the community college they are considering.   Some vocational programs have prerequisites and some have waiting lists.   Some begin each quarter, others only in the fall.   Check it out ahead of time.

          Several community colleges in the state have dormitory facilities.

          Technical colleges offer only vocational programs varying in length from three months to two years.   Two-year programs generally offer degrees (not as transferable as AA degree) while shorter programs offer certificates.

         

PRIVATE CAREER SCHOOLS

 

            There are private vocational-technical schools around the west.   These schools offer programs similar to public technical colleges and the vocational programs of community colleges.   In general they are more specialized.

          Most will offer certificate programs while some will offer associate degree programs.   Be sure to check their accreditation.   If transferring the credits to another institution is important, be sure to ask about it.

          Most private vocational-technical schools are profit-making schools and are expensive.   They tend to be more aggressive in their marketing than community colleges and public technical colleges.   The “Plan For Tomorrow Today” booklet mentioned previously includes private vocational-technical schools.   Students at many of these colleges are eligible for federal financial aid.

          We encourage students looking at these schools to check out more than one private vocational-technical school and also at least one community college or public vocational-technical school to make comparisons of programs, facilities, expenses, etc.

APPRENTICESHIP

 

Apprenticeships are another way to train for a career, especially in the trades.   Apprenticeships combine supervised on-the-job training with classroom instruction.   The goal is to achieve journeyman status in that field.  

FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES

 

          Lately there seems to be a growing number of people who view job training as the primary purpose of a four-year college education.   The view seems to hold that if the degree does not result in a job it was a waste of time.   Others view education as having value for life as well as work and that ideas and skills learned will serve well.

          Four-year colleges offer a variety of majors, minors, and bachelor’s degrees.   Some are clearly intended to lead to a job in a rather specific field: nursing, engineering, teaching, and business.   Others are not job specific: English and Philosophy.   Some students are after breadth of education while others seek concentration in their chosen field.   There is a huge variety among four-year colleges and both of these options are available, sometimes in the same school.

          From   Money Magazine Guide, “ Most of tomorrow’s jobs will be created by companies that are too small to qualify for the Fortune 500.   Moreover, these firms – which rely on adaptable, self-sufficient types—tend to value people with highly transferable skills, such as negotiation and conflict resolution.   As a result, liberal arts grads are not doomed…liberal arts students need to pursue subjects they enjoy but also take courses that provide practical skills and learn how to transfer this knowledge to the real world.”

          Here are employment           recommendations that may apply to ALL students attending four-year colleges, community colleges, and vocational-technical schools as well:

 

•  Investigate internships or other opportunities to apply knowledge in real world situations.   There is often an office that handles internships.   Volunteering gives good practical experience and may be very worthwhile.   Credit may be available for either option.