Post Secondary Pathways

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction to prepare workers for highly-skilled careers.

Workers benefit from apprenticeships by receiving a skills-based education that prepares them for good-paying jobs. Apprenticeship programs help employers recruit, build, and retain a highly skilled workforce (https://www.dol.gov/general/topic/training/apprenticeship)

Community colleges offer two-year programs leading to the Associate of Arts (AA) or Associate of Science (AS) degree.

 These colleges also have technical and vocational programs with close links to secondary/high schools, community groups, and employers in the local community. (https://educationusa.state.gov/your-5-steps-us-study/research-your-options/community-college)

A university is an organization that provides higher learning to individuals and promotes knowledge and discovery. Universities can grant academic degrees, including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees; many universities also offer undergraduate and graduate certificate programs. Since universities are 4-year institutions, they don't usually offer 2-year associate's degree programs. (https://learn.org/articles/What_is_a_University.html) 

Several different fields of employment fall under the classification of a skilled trade. This can include electricians, welders, plumbers, carpenters, and more. Trade skills commonly require specialized training from technical or trade schools. This training often involves participating in traditional classroom settings and performing hands-on tasks that directly correlate to your field of interest.

(https://www.mccann.edu/what-is-a-skilled-trade/)

The United States military is made up of several branches, each with different responsibilities: 

Army - The Army is responsible for land operations. The Army also has a marine presence, with some soldiers known as "Army mariners". 

Navy - The Navy is responsible for maritime operations, including maintaining a forward-deployed force. 

Marine Corps - A component of the Navy, the Marine Corps specializes in amphibious and maritime littoral operations. 

Air Force - Responsible for air operations.

Space Force - The Space Force is responsible for space operations and is the smallest branch of the military. 

Coast Guard - The Coast Guard is responsible for law and maritime safety enforcement, including search and rescue missions. The Coast Guard also collects oceanographic data for environmental research.  

National Guard - The National Guard's mission is to defend the country, fight in wars, and help communities during disasters. 

(usa.gov)

Right to work (workforce) after high school is a pathway that some students take after graduation. Some students go to work for their family business, have created their own business, are taking a gap year before attending college, or simply have just joined the workforce.