Education has never been more important for finding a rewarding and well-paying job. Job opportunities for those with only a high school education are increasingly more disposed to get part time and minimum wage jobs. If you are looking to start a career or switch careers, obtaining additional education and learning new skill sets is all but a necessity. Both technical schools and four year universities offer unique benefits; choosing between the two will ultimately come down to understanding your goals and recognizing your talents and skills. Considering the following questions will help ensure that you make the right decision between the two:

Do You Have A Clear Idea of What Sort of Career You Would Like to Go Into?

While this may seem like a simple question, young people often have a difficult time deciding what their ideal career is. Students often go into a university with a specific career plan, only to realize half way through that they are more interested in another path. Similarly, even those who have spent a significant amount of time in a career often come to the realization that it is simply the wrong fit. Four years schools are commonly the better bet for those whose career aspirations remain unclear, as they involve a broader spectrum of education. Technical program finders like this one via http://www.csinow.edu/program-finder are built to prepare students for specific careers, often in healthcare, IT, manufacturing, business, and a host of other industries. A technical school’s curriculum is developed to give students the skills they need to start a new career immediately after graduation, with many students doing just that. Trade programs tend to focus on jobs that are in high demand, making successful job placement much more likely. Technical school graduates currently have an edge in the job market over four year graduates, with a good portion of the fastest growing career fields favoring job oriented educations.

Which Education Best Matches My Financial Situation?

Sixty percent of college students use federal or private loans to pay for their education. Almost forty million college graduates in the United States have outstanding student loans, with the average graduate carrying somewhere in the area of $36,000 in debt upon graduation. Rising college costs have made student loan debt an even more significant problem, though the federal government has taken steps to reduce the interest rates associated with these debts.

While technical school students can also use federal and private loans to cover education costs, the costs associated with technical programs are significantly lower than those of four year universities. A favorable job market for technical school graduates also makes it easier for them to pay down debts before interest rates begin to have a significant effect on the principal loan amount. The shorter duration of technical schools also makes them the more affordable option, as many college students either do not work or work part time while receiving their education.

Education is a valuable pursuit regardless of what choice you make, one that is sure to help provide you with a more personally and financially rewarding career. Taking some time to answer the above questions will help ensure that your path forward is the perfect fit for you.

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