Workforce Resources
Not every student wants to participate in college or trade school programs. Some students would rather go straight into the workforce after graduation, or to continue on in hopes of promotion through the rankings of a job they already hold. Joining the workforce is becoming more and more common, as many people try to avoid student loan debt and non-stop schooling. Often, gap years turn into workforce commitments.
Common straight-to-work jobs include construction, retail management, fine arts, factory work, and many other careers that may be surprising to hear about.
Things to Consider
- Is college for me?
- Do I want to go through two (or more) years of schooling immediately after graduation?
- Can I realistically afford college tuition?
- Will I be able to thrive in that environment, or will it be harder to manage funding and responsibilities in that environment?
- What kind of jobs/careers would I be able to do?
- What do I like to do?
- What am I interested in?
- What am I good at?
- What am I willing to do for the next forty years of my life?
- Can I realistically live off of the salary I would be bringing home?
- What is the job outlook?
- Will this job still be around in 10, 15, 30 years?
- Am I likely to find a job in this field in the area I will be living in?
- Can I live off of the income this will bring in?
- Will it support me, my family, my pets, and any bills I may incur?
- Will I be living paycheck to paycheck or will there be wiggle room in my budget?
Pros and Cons of Skipping Out on Higher Education
Pros:
- It is easier to earn and save money as opposed to spending money on college life.
- You earn life and work experience.
- You can utilize things that you've learned in school out in the real world.
- You gain independence when you get to make your own choices and your own living.
- It is easier to find a new job than it is to go through enrolling in a new school.
- There is no student loan debt.
- Not having a degree means that you are not type-cast/forced into a specific area of focus.
- Many jobs require work experience, which is hard to get from strictly attending college.
Cons:
- If you change your mind, transitioning back into a school setting to attend college can be difficult.
- Being an older freshman can cause self-esteem issues.
- You salary potential can be very negatively effected without a degree.
- Missing out on college life could cause jealousy or resentment towards those who have experienced it.
- There is greater potential to get involved in future ventures in college (politics, volunteering, etc.).
- Job security tends to increase with high degree jobs.
- There can be less opportunity to meet people of your age with similar interests organically.
Helpful Resources
The links below may be helpful to you in your decision to start working straight after school.
