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Options include trade schools, technology programs, gap years, and more. A path different than the traditional 4-year college route can provide great benefits. Some advantages of non-traditional routes include gaining work experience, reducing school expenses, refining vocational plans, acquiring skills, and jumpstarting a career. Everyone’s journey is unique. Here are a few ideas of alternate pathways.

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There are opportunities available for students who want to forgo the traditional route to college and jump into a career.

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Thinking about applying to jobs for the summer? Consider creating a resume if you do not already have one.

Check out the resume building pointers here courtesy of Bentley University.

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Orange background with illustrated brown framed corkboard with a resume and several yellow sticky note with scribbles.

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MEFA is a Massachusetts-based non-profit we heavily rely on for guidance on higher education financial aid information, but they also offer other tools and resources.

Above you'll find a link to their career planning resources that range from assessments you can take about yourself to articles about various fields that may be of interest and how there are often multiple pathways to similar careers!

Click around or do your own searches to find some great nuggets of information.

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Learn more about planning, saving, and financing a college education and preparing for your financial future by browsing through these college planning resources.

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Click above to find all local building trade union information, addresses, contact information, etc.

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Representing building trades unions across Massachusetts.

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SS Tech Institute Free Career Training Programs

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SS Tech Institute Free Career Training Programs

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Check out this flyer for some career training opportunities available to high school graduates. 13 week, 220 hour introductory courses to prepare participants for entry-level positions.

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You can develop skills employers want by volunteering for 1 year to help students K-12 succeed academically. City Year is an AmeriCorps program designed for young people ages 17-25. Check out more details in the link above.

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City Year is an education nonprofit organization dedicated to helping students and schools succeed. Learn how City Year creates environments where students can thrive.

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MassHire Career Information System: You do not need an account to use MassHire CIS, start with the Massachusetts resident login.
Select your city or town and enter your zip code. You'll then get access to a number of career interest surveys and information about careers, job market, job pay, and more.

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Gap Year Association defines a gap year as “an intentional period of time devoted to personal growth and exploration through experiential learning opportunities". Read more in the linked website above.

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Gap Year Planning - Gap Year Association

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What is a gap year? We define a gap year as “an intentional period of time devoted to personal growth and exploration through experiential learning opportunities.”

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Thinking Military Enlistment? Check out this practice ASVAB test.

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Thinking Military Enlistment? Check out this practice ASVAB test.

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Military enlistment requires taking the. ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) to determine if an individual is qualified to enlist in the military and to match interested students to specific jobs within the military. It is also sometimes taken by students interested simply in the vocational exploration/interest outcomes of the exam. There is no military obligation tied to taking the exam itself. You can take it more than once, but there are rules around how often. WHS typically offers a testing time in early spring for those interested in taking it on campus, but some opt to test at recruitment centers. Check out the practice exam in the link and speak to your school counselor for more information.