FAQs
Why should I consider a specialized technical school rather than a traditional college for my education?
Because today's careers require more specialized training than ever before, a trend that will continue for at least the next decade. U.S. Department of Labor studies predict that by the year 2010, only 20 percent of all jobs will require a four-year college education, compared to 75 percent of jobs that will require specialized technical training beyond high school. While traditional four-year colleges continue to stress a broad-based, liberal arts approach to education, technical vocational schools constantly adjust to meet the demands of an ever-changing job market. The direct result can easily be seen in recent employment trends, which show that only 52 percent of all traditional college graduates actually work in their major fields of study, compared to 80 percent in-field employment of vocational graduates. In addition, most specialized training programs can be completed in less than 21 months in comparison to the average five and a half years needed to complete a traditional college degree. This translates into less financial commitment, less time in the classroom and more time on the job ... earning a paycheck.
Do I really need more than a high school diploma to get ahead in today's workplace?
Yes. Even completion of just part of a program can increase earnings to between 5 and 8 percent more than a high school diploma alone. For those completing a degree or certificate, the rewards can be much higher! While effects vary by occupational field, the average degree or certificate holder may earn 30 or even 47 percent more than someone with only a high school diploma.
U.S. Department of Education, Office of the Under Secretary, Policy and Program Studies Service, National Assessment of Vocational Education: Final Report to Congress, Washington, D.C., 2004.
www.ed.gov/rschstat/eval/sectech/nave/index.html
What types of careers are available in technology and allied health today?
Career opportunities in the allied health and technology fields are tremendous. In fact, a person's involvement in these exciting fields is limited only by one's imagination. The list of potential jobs includes: electronics installer, electronics repairer, medical assistant, medical transcriptionist, personal trainer, entrepreneur, massage therapist, and yes, YOUR OWN BOSS, to name just a few. When you take into account that almost half of all jobs that will exist in the next 10 years do not exist today, the unlimited possibilities for career development in these different fields is easy to see.
Why is training for careers so popular today?
The greatest reason most people seek career training and education is that they see outstanding potential available for careers in allied health and technology. In an era in which only 20 percent of all Americans are "very satisfied" with their jobs, more people are looking for satisfying careers that will offer them the opportunity to work in an exciting industry, under good working conditions with benefits and a salary that supports a quality lifestyle.