Graduating high school is one of the most significant milestones of your life, and it is your gateway to adulthood. You will find yourself at an essential crossroads packed with opportunities and possibilities for your future. At this point in your life, you have the freedom to pursue your passions and explore a variety of paths. Where will this lead? Some people choose travel, others go directly into the workforce, and many students jump right into getting further education.

This is a time in your life when you should consider your interests, aspirations, and strengths to make the best choice for your next steps. It is an exciting time but can also be overwhelming because there are so many options. Learning more about some paths you can consider will make it easier to see which one best matches how you want to start your life as a brand-new adult.

What Should I Do After Graduating High School?

Once you graduate, the world offers nearly endless opportunities. Think about how you want to start this next chapter in your life to decide which path is best.

Take a Year Off to Travel

Taking a chance to explore can offer immense benefits before you further your education. However, there are also some considerations you must consider if a travel year is the best option for you.

Traveling offers personal growth by exposing you to new languages, perspectives, and cultures. It can also help you to find your independence. If you choose to go abroad, you can achieve a higher level of global awareness to foster understanding, tolerance, and empathy.

When you travel, you can strengthen specific life skills such as planning, communication, budgeting, problem-solving, and adaptability. These will help you in the workplace and all areas of your life. Regarding future work, traveling can also help you find networking opportunities and boost your resume.

Some considerations include the expense of traveling, delaying your career and academic pursuits, and safety concerns. You may also experience homesickness and loneliness.

Start Working Right Away

Going to work straight out of high school means immediate income to support yourself and achieve financial independence and stability. It allows you to start developing skills and gaining valuable work experience. You may also put yourself in a position to advance in your career faster when you start working sooner.

However, if you enter the workforce straight away, you may have limited career options due to a lack of specialized training or further education. Skill stagnation could also make it harder to adapt to future job market changes, and lower earning potential is also something to consider.

Go to a Four-Year College

Earning a college degree could expand your job opportunities and increase your earning potential. As you work through the four years, you can also enhance your personal growth by improving your communication and critical thinking skills. Attending a four-year college gives you access to support and resources that could foster your personal development. There are also opportunities for making connections and networking.

On the other hand, the admissions process can be competitive, leading to stress while you are choosing and applying to schools. You will have a four-year commitment to complete all the academic requirements. Some colleges have a rigid curriculum that offers little course customization or flexibility.

Attend a Community College

Community college is flexible, allowing you to take classes online, on weekends, during the evening, or in the morning, depending on your other commitments. They offer general education courses that prepare you for a four-year college to further your education.

However, some community colleges have limited program options, especially compared to four-year schools. Resources might be limited, and contacting faculty members if you need help could be more challenging since they often have many students.

Should I Go to Vocational College Right After Graduating High School?

Are you ready to join the workforce and have less than a year to complete your education? If this sounds good to you, consider attending a vocational college right after graduating from high school. There are a lot of benefits that include:

Faster Completion Times

Completion times vary depending on the program that you choose. Some take up to two years, while others only take a few months. You should speak to a counselor and talk to them about the specific program you are interested in. They can provide you with details on all of the pertinent time requirements.

Small Class Sizes

Vocational college have smaller class sizes. This is a benefit because there are fewer students per class. This allows you access your teachers for tailored instruction, personalized attention, and individualized feedback. Your learning environment may be more comfortable, and getting clarification and engaging in discussions could be more accessible. You will be able to form deeper connections with faculty and other students. You can also participate in class more actively and collaborate with those around you.

Industry Experienced Instructors

Vocational college instructors have experience in the industry in which they are teaching. For example, those taking medical assistant classes have experience working in healthcare. With their expertise, they can relate academic concepts to what you will experience when you enter the workforce. They can also provide mentorship, networking opportunities, and career guidance.

Hands-On Training

Vocational college offer hands-on training, which allows you to develop skills and gain practical experience. This training enhances retention and reinforces your knowledge. The active learning component can make it easier to learn the concepts since you are seeing them happen in real-time. You can also master skills faster and more completely when actively practicing them.

Externships

Most vocational programs offer an externship to complete the program successfully. During your externship, you will work in your field alongside professionals so that you can see what you will be doing once you enter the workforce. You get exposure to industry protocols, workflows, and practices. There will also be mentorship, networking, and career guidance opportunities from the professionals you work with.

Career Services

Career services are an integral part of a vocational college experience. CyberTex provides valuable guidance, support, and resources to current students and those who have completed their program. You can get help preparing cover letters, writing resumes, conducting job searches, and developing interview skills. When you go to career services, we can also let you know about upcoming networking events, job postings, and career fairs. We also provide seminars, workshops, and opportunities for professional development.

One significant component of career services is helping you find a job after graduation. We will help you find job openings you qualify for, apply for, and perform well during your interview. If your program requires any professional licensing, such as an LVN, they can also help you to attain this.

What Programs Do Vocational Colleges Offer?

Vocational colleges offer programs that prepare students to pursue careers in specific industries, professions, or trades. These programs combine classroom and hands-on training.

Medical Assistant

Medical assistant programs use a combination of practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and hands-on experience to teach you the necessary concepts and skills. Learn about anatomy and physiology, medical office procedures, medical terminology, pharmacology, medical ethics, and patient care techniques.

You will also learn how to help doctors with patient examinations and perform injections and take vital signs. Throughout the program, you will also learn how to communicate effectively and manage electronic health records.

At the end of the program,  you complete an externship. During this externship, you work in a healthcare setting under the supervision of a professional medical assistant to gain real-world experience.

LVN

Vocational colleges often offer Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) programs. Once you finish, you will have the knowledge needed to sit for your NCLEX-PN licensure examination. You will learn about core nursing concepts and use hands-on learning to take blood pressure, draw blood, and give vaccines. You will have a combination of laboratory training, classroom instruction, and clinical rotations in a healthcare setting.

Network Engineer

In a network engineer program, you focus on implementing, maintaining, and designing computer networks. You will work through a curriculum that covers topics like network administration, cloud computing, routing and switching, and wireless technologies. Following your program, you will likely be able to pursue certifications like CompTIA and Microsoft.

HVAC

HVAC programs prepare you to work on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. You explore the equipment, systems, and technologies associated with HVAC. You will learn about installation, repair, maintenance, and troubleshooting.

Final Thoughts

You can now see various options after you graduate from high school. Take your time and think about how you want to approach this next chapter of your life. Think about which option will allow for self-discovery, growth, and adventure. It is essential to remember that success will look different for everyone, and there is nothing wrong with going at your own pace to forge your path.

Want to Learn More?

CyberTex offers short-term technical training programs in the Information Technology, Medical, Healthcare, and Construction Trades. We are a student-centric institute that equips students with workplace skills for initial employment, paving the way for desired and financially stable careers. 

Contact us today to learn more about our CyberTex campuses in Austin and Killeen.