SIX ADVANTAGES OF WORKING AFTER HIGH SCHOOL

In 2016, 69.7 percent of high school graduates in the United States headed straight to college after summer vacation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. But attending college directly after high school isn't for everyone. Some students are tired of school or never really enjoyed it in the first place. Others may want a break before they return to full-time education. And for some high school graduates, working instead of attending college is a monetary decision. There are several reasons why waiting on college can be a good idea.

Earn Money Instead of Spending It

Unless you've been offered a full scholarship, going to college will cost you or your family money. And even if your schooling is paid for, you'll still need money for food, lodging, books, trips home, entertainment and more. Taking a year or two off to work and save money, especially if you're able to remain living for free with your parents, can be a very wise idea.

Learn to Appreciate School

Most kids who finish up their 12 mandatory years of school are pretty sick of it by the time they graduate. While college is quite a different experience than high school, it still involves classrooms, books and even more studying. Taking a year or more to work can really help you value your college education. A year away from school can make the heart grow fonder of thinking and learning, especially if your job is tedious menial labor. The monotony of certain jobs tops the monotony of a classroom any day.

Gain Life Experience

College is a fairly sheltered environment. Often, you end up hanging around with the same types of people you knew in high school. Even if personalities vary, you will most likely find yourself in a group of people who are the same age as you, doing the same things you do every day. Work, on the other hand, can expose you to a wider range of people. The ages, socioeconomic backgrounds and hopes and dreams of your coworkers will be quite different than your own, and this is a good thing. It won't hurt to bring a bit more life knowledge to college, when you do decide to attend.

Gain Independence

Earning your own money is a great way to learn how to manage it. And managing your own money is one of the first paths to independence. If you live on your own while you work, you'll gain even more life skills, including paying rent, paying utilities, buying your own groceries, gas and more.

Put More Thought Into Your Future Career

So many kids arrive at college and immediately have to decide on a major field of study. Most schools don't require you to choose a major until the end of your second year, but having a major from the start will help you to graduate on time and get the classes that you need. However, not many of us know what we want to study when we first arrive at college. Taking time off to work will also give you time to think. And if your job is washing dishes or busing tables, your brain will have a lot of free time to wander and consider career choices. You'll also have time to do a bit of research on different professions or maybe even secure a paid internship at a company to find out what type of work you'd like to do.

Decide if School Is the Right Path for You

It's possible you'll like working so much more than being in school that you decide to forgo college altogether. I know the common mantra is you can't get a good job without a college degree, but that is changing a bit. Some companies offer apprenticeships, and some professions favor work experience much more than a degree. Besides, you can always change your mind later on and attend a university. College isn't going anywhere.

via www.chron.com