Non-college options by https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5 What can you do besides attend a 4-year college? en-us 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC 2023-08-10 18:27:19 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/icons/File.png Start a business/ take over the family business. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984032 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Have a strong sense of business acumen and know what they want to offer to consumers.
B. Have already undergone direct work experience in the family business and excited about taking over the enterprise.
C. Like the idea of working for themselves and being their own boss.
D. Has a good idea for a commodity, service, or invention.
E. Would like to work from home with an online business or blog. 
For more tips on how to start your own business, read the article below:]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984032 Take a year off before heading to college - Gap Year. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984033 Ideal choice for student who:
A. Want to take a year, before heading off to college, to explore themselves and discover the skills they will need to live their lives.
B. Are looking to be a part of a program that will help them find volunteer work and possibly work abroad.
C. Would like to take this opportunity to advance their intellectual, academic, and professional objectives. Gap years allow students to grow and mature a little more before heading out to college.
*Students can volunteer for organizations (such as those listed under voluteer in this padlet) or other organizations such as Habitat for Humanity or World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOF).
*Students are better off applying to colleges while in school (before taking the gap year) since the infrastructure and support are already in place.  Most colleges will hold the student's spot and scholarships should be available once enrolled. Some volunteer organizations will provide additional college funding which is sometimes matched by other scholarships.  
For more information, visit the website below:

]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984033 Serve your country and join the military. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984035 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Are looking to serve their country before entering the workforce as a civilian or attending college.
B. Interested in receiving tuition assistance, a GI bill, or loan reimbursement program for education obtained before enlisting. You can also earn an Associates degree through the Community College of the Air Force (CCAF) available to men and women in the air force offering over 70 degree programs.
C. Looking to travel and see the world.
D. Want to discover their passion while dedicating themselves to service and discipline.
E. Would like to embark on a military career offering free healthcare, VA benefits (including home loans), life insurance, and full retirement benefits after 20 years.
For more information on how to become an office, see video below. Also, please visit http://todaysmilitary.com/ for more information and videos that discuss specific branches of the military, training, education opportunities, and social/family life.

]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984035 Volunteer for a good cause- may receive a stipend or college tuition assistance brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984036 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Are looking to give back to the community through service.
B. Would like to receive college tuition assistance or reimbursement.
C. Looking to build their character.
D. Travel for free and experience other cultures...before starting a family and focusing on every day responsibilities.
D. Interested in working with the PeaceCorps, AmeriCorps, the National Civilian Community Corp (NCCC) (for men), Conservation Corps, Global Routes, or the Catholic Volunteer Network.
For more information and direct links to the above organizations, visit https://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/04/17/is-college-for-everyone-10-alternatives-to-the-traditional-4-year-college/.
Image retrieved from Travelers Quest at http://www.travellersquest.com/articles/best-high-school-volunteer-abroad-program-opportunities-organizations.]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984036 Take this time to explore your creative side. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984038 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Are artistic/creative types.
B. Would like to pursue an artistic/creative endeavor without influence from an arts program at a college.
C. Is interested in taking a risk.
*This can be done while working FT/PT, attending community college, volunteering, or any of the other suggestions from this padlet.
Watch the video, below, of an actor who chose to pursue his passion instead of going to college.]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984038 Join a Union- work as an apprentice. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984039 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Want to start working in a trade after high school without having to go or pay for trade school.
B. Interested in the idea of working as an apprentice with a Labor Union, while attending trade school, community college, or even a 4-year college.
C. Interested in supporting themselves with a lucrative career while either deciding on or attending college.
D. Would like to work in construction, roads, and electrical.
E. Passionate about working with your hands and learning complex skills in wiring, tele-data communications, hazardous materials communication, fiberoptics, or CAD/BIM.
For more information about Apprenticeship programs, visit http://www.ibewlocal102.org/training.aspx or http://www.njlaborers.org/ or watch video below:]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984039 Learn a trade by enrolling in a vocational/trade school. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984041 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Want to receive education in a highly skilled field with potential for lucrative pay.
B. Are interested in transferring some of that education into a 4-year college degree program.
C. Need to prepare for skilled trade exams for industries such as electrical, plumbing, or contracting.
D. Interested in learning about careers in computer aided drafting (CAD), culinary,  heating ventiliation and air conditioning (HVAC), Information Technology (IT), or criminal justice. 
E. Looking for a career that is in high demand with low potential for outsourcing.
Check out the Podcast below to hear about why you should consider a trades career instead:
 ]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984041 Gain some work experience by finding a job. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984042 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Want to save money for college or vocational/trade school.
B. Looking to discover the world of work in order to narrow down possible vocational choices for the future. 
C. Obtain immediate financial freedom- possibly move out on your own or help out the family!
D. Have a chance to reinvent yourself. Take some time to figure out who you are, your interests, and strengths.
E. Obtain tuition assistance.  Some employers offer to pay some or all of college tuition as part of a benefit package.
While many graduates will look to the service industry or retail for entry-level experience, here is an article highlighting  highest paying jobs for those with a high school diploma:

]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984042 Start your experience at a community college. brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984044 Ideal choice for students who:
A. Are not sure about their major/academic field.
B. Would like to save money and accrue less student loans.
C. Only need an Associates Degree for career choice. [Some of these include: IT support, Administration, Occupational Therapy Assistant, or Business*]
D. Looking to obtain short-term certification including: Certified Nurse Assistant, Medical Assistant, Phlebotomy, or Paralegal.
E. Need to stay close to home or have other obligations that do not allow for them to attend a full-time college curriculum. 
F. Need to fulfill pre-requisite courses before admittance into a 4-year college. 
*Many business fields will require a Bachelors or Masters level education.
For more information, review the video which will provide several more pros and cons for enrolling in community college. 

]]> 2018-04-05 17:46:51 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/248984044 Attend a work college brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/249013817 You probably didn't even know that was a thing! Well, it is and right now there are only 7 colleges in the United States that fall under this category in 6 different states.
This is an ideal choice for students who:
A. Are looking to gain work related experience that also helps to pay for college tuition costs.
B. Would like to save money and accrue less student loans as well as receive a free college education.
C. Learn how to balance study, community service, and work.
D. Looking to cultivate a strong work ethic.
E. Would like to leave college with a plethora of real world experience.
The video below is a snapshot of what to expect from a work college:


]]> 2018-04-05 18:52:15 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/249013817 References brown_d2 https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/249091029  
American Association of Community Colleges. (2018). Fast Facts. Retrieved on April 5th, 2018 from https://www.aacc.nche.edu/research-trends/fast-facts/
 
Anderberg, J. (2014). Is College for Everyone?11 Alternatives to the Traditional 4-year College. Retrieved on April 5th, 2018 from https://www.artofmanliness.com/2014/04/17/is-college-for-everyone-10-alternatives-to-the-traditional-4-year-college/
 
The Art of Manliness. (2017). Podcast #308: The Case for Blue Collar Work with Mike Rowe. Retrieved on April 5th, 2018 from https://www.artofmanliness.com/2017/05/30/mike-rowe-interview/.
 
GoCollege. (2017). Vocational & Trade Schools: A Growing Trend. Retrieved on April 5th, 2018 from http://www.gocollege.com/options/vocational-trade-schools/.
 
 The Grown Up Millenial. (2016, August 25th). Community College: Pros and Cons. [Video file]/ Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Riuzvo-90O8.
 
 Hemmer, S. (2016, May 8th). Work-Learning-Service at Warren Wilson College. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fnAK6u8zXDc.
 
IBEW Local 102. (2018). Training. Retrieved on April 5th, 2018 from http://www.ibewlocal102.org/training.aspx
 
IBEW Local Union 569. (2016, January 12th). Union Apprenticeship Programs – The Best Decision You’ll Ever Make! [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VPUCGaV-zs
 
Kern, R. (2010). 7 Questions to Ask When Considering a Gap Year. Retrieved on April 5th 2018 from https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/right-school/timeline/articles/2010/05/19/7-questions-to-ask-when-considering-a-gap-year
 
Liuna NJ. (n.d.). Training & Appreticeship. Retreived on April 5th, 2018 from http://www.njlaborers.org/node/84.
 MacQuarrie, A.J. (2017). 8 Tips for Entreprenuerial High School Students Ready to Start Their First Businesses. Retrieved on April 5th, 2018 from https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/300403
 
Theoffcamerashow. (2017, January 15th). Aaron Paul Graduated High School Early to Pursue Acting. [Video file]. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BTLM4mY1yEU.
 
TodaysMilitary. (2018). Living Benefits & Family. Retrieved on April 5th 2018 from http://todaysmilitary.com/living/paying-for-college.
 
Work Learning Service. (2014-15). Home. Retrieved on April 5th, 2018 from http://www.workcolleges.org/.
 
 
]]> 2018-04-06 01:50:58 UTC https://padlet.com/brown_d2/alternativeoption5/wish/249091029