Trade schools have become an increasingly popular choice for students seeking an alternative option from university. There are many compelling reasons as to why someone might choose trade school, mainly ones who desire a hands-on educational experience or to jump straight into their career after high school.
“I personally think that I work better with my hands than I do with a pen and paper, so a lot of things make more sense to me,” junior Noah Michum said.
Lots of students prefer mechanical work rather than being in the books, with reasons that vary from taking over a family member’s business or wanting to get paid a good salary in a field they enjoy. Students who choose trade school also make it a point that they never want to sit behind a desk all day at an office job.
One of the biggest motivations for students to choose trade school is the focus on specific fields. Trade schools can offer specialized programs that allow students to gain the skills necessary for a particular career like plumbing, electrical work, HVAC, etc. Many students find that this approach to learning is more suitable to their needs and helps them gain more experience than studying at a four-year college. Students also claim that the trade school route gives them a chance to get real-world experience through opportunities like internships, which leads to more employment options early on.
Another factor as to why students decide to go to trade school is that the tuition is significantly lower than universities. Many believe that it is a way to get educated in a shorter amount of time while still giving them a well-rounded skill set.
“I see some good opportunities in trade school like HVAC, maybe if you want to work on some AC’s,” junior Travis Ford said.
Working with your hands and doing the activities you love is an art form to many. Trade school can provide a space to master your craft without worrying about any other subjects. For example, someone who has always wanted to be a barber without worrying about a class they deem unnecessary, trade school may be the best choice for them.
There are lots of misconceptions about what trade school is or why people decide that’s the path that is right for them, but the answer isn’t so simple. There is a broad spectrum of reasons as to why someone would decide to go the more alternative route rather than the romanticized “college experience,” ranging from financial issues, disinterest in broad subject matter, and learning in different ways. All in all, both choices have pros and cons yet you can get quality education from both. These choices are simply personalized to who you are and what is best for you.
