In my sophomore year of high school I started thinking about what I wanted to do once I graduated. Faced with so many options, I decided to apply for the vocational Tech Center at Giles High school.

Choosing to go into Machine shop was an easy choice for me, but for some students it is a rather scary decision. There is a lot of pressure on high school students to go to college from our parents. However, college isn’t a realistic choice for many students. Some students are too poor and some are just not cut out for school. This is where trade school steps in.

Many high schools around Virginia offer trade programs free of charge to high school students. Although there are interviews, requirements, and deadlines you have to meet for admission into the program, it is rather easy to be accepted. From Machine shop, Nursing, Welding, Automotive, Drafting, to Cosmetology, students are offered a wide range of options to choose from.

Why bother with trade school you may ask? Studies show that students who complete a trade program earn significantly more than those with just a high school degree or high school dropouts. In fact, trade school graduates earn more than many college graduates without student loan debt! So if you’re wondering and worrying about what to do after high school, try out the Tech Center.