Life After High School: The Pros and Cons of Attending Trade School

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There was a time when earning tertiary education was only limited to the highly affluent families. But then society moved past the division of economic classes, and more people started going to universities and colleges to earn their degrees. And time has shifted once again because more people are turning to non-traditional alternatives to further their careers.

A good example of this is how more high school graduates decide to attend a vocational or technical school instead of a four-year college. Besides the practical reasons for the sudden demand for trade schools, some more pros and cons are factored into these decisions, such as:

Pro #1: It's more affordable than going to university

The biggest advantage of attending trade school is that you can save more money in the long run. This is because trade schools are considerably more affordable than any private university tuition there is. And because you'll only have to attend trade school for two years before heading into the workforce, you'll also spend less money on your education overall.

Con #1: It can be expensive depending on the institution

Despite what you may have been led to believe, trade school can still be expensive depending on the nature of teaching in your chosen school. Since tuition and miscellaneous fees vary widely in different institutions, it's important to consider the complete figure before you decide to enroll in trade school.

Aside from this, it can be more difficult to apply for financial aid if you need it for trade school than if you were to attend a university. But it's not impossible. If you need financial assistance, you can look into federal student aid applications or scholarship opportunities in your chosen school.

Pro #2: It can give you valuable hands-on training

If you don't particularly enjoy the academic side of learning and prefer learning through application, then trade school could be the perfect solution. Attending trade school will give you the hands-on training and experience you need to land a job in the future. Plus, you'll learn through practice instead of theory.

This is even better if you chose the Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) track in high school because this means that you'll be able to apply everything you've learned in your TVL strand courses. And because there's always a demand for highly-skilled tradespeople, you'll be able to find a job anywhere in the world.

Con #2: It can limit your job opportunities

Because you will only learn how to be an expert in a specific trade, it could lessen your chances of landing jobs outside your field of expertise. This won't be a problem if you're not planning to switch careers later on, but if you are, then trade school might not be the right path for you.

Pro #3: It's shorter than earning a bachelor's degree

While most bachelor's degrees can be earned within four to six years, a trade school will only take two years before you're ready to enter the workforce. It could even be less in some situations, depending on how much time you can devote to learning your craft. So, this could be a good option for you if you don't want to spend too much time in school and you're excited to start your career.

Con #3: It has tighter and more rigorous schedules

The flexibility of trade school can be a double-edged sword because while it's shorter than a four-year course, it's also more compact. This means that your schedule will become more demanding and rigorous than the lax pace of going to a four-year university. Plus, it might not have summer vacations or holiday breaks that can give you time to catch your breath.

Because the ultimate goal of a trade school is to produce as many professionals in their chosen fields of expertise as possible, they won't have the luxury of time for school breaks. So, if you don't think that you can fully commit to trade school due to the fast-paced approach to learning, you might want to consider enrolling part-time or creating a more flexible schedule.

The best decision will be the one you make for yourself. It won't matter if other people don't think that you've made the right decision, so long as you believe that you've chosen what's best for you. So, when you're done carefully weighing all the pros and cons of attending trade school, only then should you make the decision that will change your life for good.