Considering Trade School? Here’s What You Need To Know.

Summer is a time for celebration as multiple graduates across the education realm from college, to junior high, to even elementary schools who generally have ceremonies signifying a child's progression from one grade on to the next, walk across the stage to be recognized for their achievement.

Graduation can be a time of great stress for one group however, as this significant milestone in their lives leads to one big decision. Now that high school is over, what's next?

According to a study by Degree Query, over 30% of high school graduates enroll in college because they believe that this is the natural progression path after high school. An additional 23% only attend college because they believe that it is what is expected of them.

If you are like me, you weren't even told about trade school until after you were already 20 thousand dollars in crippling student loan debt. And while I do not regret going to college, a lot of people that I know would have been better off with other options.

So why is trade school such a hidden phenomenon? Well, maybe this is because state schools across the country push higher education and make it seem like it is the only way to go. But as it turns out, college is not for everyone, and even without a college degree, there are so many windows of opportunity open to those who are interested in a trade.

In fact, as of 2015, 44.6% of college graduates are working jobs that do not require a college degree, and that number is growing as most of the fastest growing jobs in the U.S. won't require a bachelor's degree. These jobs include wind service turbine technicians, home health aides, massage therapists, and pet caretakers.

Trade schools also typically run on a faster track than the traditional 4-year institution, offer hands-on learning, and usually take less than 2 years to receive a certification.

At the end of the day, if you are sure of the career path you want to take, learn by doing things in a hands-on environment, or you want to obtain credentials and join the workforce quickly, trade school may be the right option for you.

You can find a full look of the study by Degree Query here.