There are plenty of choices that you will make that will help to determine your financial future. For many people, deciding their path after high school is the first of many major life decisions they have to make.
Some people believe that college is the only way to a successful career with high earning potential. However, this certainly is not the case. You may find that going to trade school is an incredible foundation for a high-paying career and a great way to start earning money as soon as possible with minimal debt. Here are some ways to figure out whether you’re a solid trade school candidate.
You Are Already Interested
Some people simply understand their calling from a young age. There is nothing wrong with a career in any sector, as they all have their pros and cons. However, if you are already interested in various types of skilled trades, it can translate into a high-paying career relatively quickly.
You might have remained interested in skilled trades over the years for various reasons, whether it’s your passion for learning new technologies or the fact that you are already skilled in a high-demand craft. Of course, if you are passionate about a certain career path, it goes a long way towards whether you want to spend the rest of your life in that industry. Either way, if you are already interested in specific types of skilled trades, this is a very organic and logical reason for you to consider investing in trade school.
You Already Have Debt
Education can be quite expensive, leaving people tens of thousands of dollars in debt — sometimes even without a degree or job to show for it. The truth is that student loan debt may be a significant issue if you choose to go to college, even later on in your life. Specifically, the number of Americans over the age of 60 that have student loan debt has doubled from 2007 to 2017. This is one of the reasons that financial stress is a real concern for many millennials today.
If you already have debt, you might decide that going to college will only lead to more crippling debt that you will eventually have to pay off. A trade school is significantly cheaper than a college education, and this alone is a reason to consider various types of skilled trades as an alternative to college.
You’re a Hands-On Problem Solver
If sitting behind a desk every day until you retire sounds like your worst nightmare, learning a skilled trade may be a perfect career option for you. When you’re working as an HVAC technician, electrician, or in another skilled trade, you’re using your hands and your mind to solve problems and fix what most people don’t know how to fix. You also have the opportunity to meet and interact with a wide variety of clients, so people who enjoy being social and making conversation also tend to enjoy working in a skilled trade.
You’re Looking for Networking/Job Placement Opportunities
Sadly, a college degree from even the most prestigious university does not guarantee you your dream job. While immediate employment is not guaranteed, trade schools offer unique opportunities that may help you acquire the job that you want soon after you graduate.
You may find that the networking opportunities at Virginia Technical Academy will go a long way towards securing a job. It doesn’t matter whether you are pursuing a career as an electrician, HVAC technician, or simply want to diversify your skill set by learning an additional technical skill; Virginia Technical Academy gives you the chance to network with instructors and peers that you may be working alongside professionally at some point.
Regardless of whether you are choosing trade school because of financial reasons, personal reasons, or logistical reasons, Virginia Technical Academy allows you the opportunity to finally take control of your own future through several types of skilled trades. If you are interested in a lucrative career without acquiring crippling debt in the process, you might find choosing our trade school to be one of the best decisions you ever make.