Postsecondary Options

Four-year colleges and universities provide students with a broad range of classes and educational experiences, along with in-depth courses specific to their major or minor. These institutions generally offer Bachelor’s degrees and prepare students for a career. A degree from a four-year college/university may also allow students to complete advanced studies to earn a Master’s or Doctoral degree. Four-year colleges/universities may be public or private, and are generally more expensive than community colleges and technical schools. Click here to visit the College Process section, which takes an in-depth look at 4 year colleges/universities.

Students with a high school diploma or the equivalent can go to a community or junior college. They can help students further their education, prepare for a four-year college, or focus on a particular trade or certification for a specific job. Students can earn a certificate in a specific area of study, or earn an Associate’s degree after completing a two-year program. Students may also complete required general education courses at community/junior colleges, and transfer those credits to a four-year college in order to save money and time. Click here for additional information (specific to College of DuPage).

An apprentice is an employed worker in training. Apprenticeship involves on-the-job training and technical instruction in many different trades. The goal of training is to master the practical and theoretical aspects of the work required in a skilled trade, and to graduate to journeyman status. Depending on the trade, an apprenticeship lasts from one to six years. A Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship is issued when the apprentice completes the training. Apprentices train in every major industry. Some occupations that require an apprenticeship include: carpenter, cook, machinist, steel metal worker, drywall finisher, and electrician. Click here for additional information.

Every year, the Armed Services hire more than 340,000 people for military careers in 142 different occupations. If students enlist directly after high school, they will complete training in order to carry out fundamental operations of the military. The military also offers tuition support and ROTC programs for students wanting to attend college and then serve in the military. Click here for additional information.

Students in the U.K., Australia, and Canada commonly take time off between high school and college to gain real-life experiences through travel, language immersion, community and conservation service programs, outdoor adventure, and professional internships. Now, U.S. students are catching on to the awesome advantages of a Gap Year. Click here for additional information.