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Are you about to graduate from high school or have you previously graduated but are thinking about going back to school to improve your job prospects? If so, you may have occasionally heard the phrase "post-secondary education."
Post-secondary education, as the name suggests, happens after you graduate from high school. And while though the majority of people think of it as a stepping stone to future work chances, this isn't always the case. In addition, post-secondary education isn't just confined to college, despite what the general public thinks, so if finances are a barrier to pursuing post-secondary education, you might want to think about your alternatives to college.
We define post-secondary education in this article, explain what it entails, and discuss the numerous alternatives accessible to you once you graduate from high school (or high school equivalent). The importance of pursuing a postsecondary degree for the job route you intend to follow is then discussed.
What Is Post-Secondary Education?
The terms "higher education," "third-level education," and "tertiary education," which all generally mean the same thing, are also used to refer to post-secondary education. "Continuous education" also refers to its variants that don't lead to degrees, including certificate programs and community colleges. These refer to the educational courses you can enroll in after obtaining your high school diploma, your GED, or anything else comparable in your nation.
Postsecondary education is entirely elective, unlike basic and secondary school, which are required for anyone under the age of 18. It is the last phase of formal education and results in a degree. The International Standard Classification of Education classifies levels 6 through 8 as postsecondary education. Both undergraduate and graduate studies are a part of post-secondary education.
More than 21 million high school students in the United States choose to pursue post-secondary education following graduation. Due to the fact that obtaining a higher education degree may be the key to unlocking more career opportunities in the market, many people view this as a path to financial security. College is one type of post-secondary education, but there are other tertiary education options as well. And just because someone has finished their post-secondary education doesn't indicate that they will automatically receive job offers of their choice. Also, it does not imply that they will always be paid more than someone who decides not to pursue postsecondary education.
Secondary vs. Post-Secondary Education
High school is more generally referred to as secondary education, but it can also apply to individuals who have passed the GED (General Education Development) exam or any other internationally recognized equivalent. Students must go to high school, unlike post-secondary education (or at least they are, until they turn 18 and can opt to drop out).
There are many people who decide to leave school (around 527,000 people from October 2017 to October 2018). Although they can obtain employment (around 47.2% of them), they cannot enroll in post-secondary education until they complete high school or receive a secondary education diploma.
Even though there are employment accessible for people who dropped out of high school or who completed high school but chose not to continue their education beyond that, this closes some doors for them. For instance, if you want to become a doctor, you can't start medical school until you've completed four years of college in a pre-medical program and earned a Bachelor's degree. Hence, even if you excelled in biology in high school, no medical school will admit a candidate without a bachelor's degree.
Post-Secondary Institutions
Contrary to common assumption, obtaining a bachelor's degree in high school is not the only qualification for "post-secondary education" or other like titles. The most popular option is attending a college or university, but not everyone can afford to do so. This is especially true when you consider that many Americans who have graduated from college struggle to make their student loan payments years after they should have.
These are your potential options if you're considering continuing your education after high school but are also open to other possibilities.
Vocational Schools
Vocational schools, also referred to as trade or tech schools, instruct its students in the technical aspects of particular trades or talents required for a particular job. Vocational school students undergo job-specific training where particular physical abilities are more important than academic learning, in contrast to college students who receive intellectual instruction for careers in certain professional subjects.
Despite having various names, these are accessible in practically every nation. For persons who desire to gain skills for better work chances, there may be both vocational schools run privately and public vocational schools that are either totally or partially sponsored by the government.
Some vocational courses include:
- Health care for nursing (for people who want to work as caregivers)
- Computer network management
- Word processing application (secretarial positions)
- Food and beverage management
- Fashion designing
- Electrician
- Plumber
- Carpentry
- Commercial pilot
- Catering and hotel management
- Daycare management
- Hairstyling, cosmetics, and beautification
- Paralegal studies
- Massage therapy
- Pharmacy technician
- Travel agent
Be aware that there are many more vocational courses available than those that are offered, however not all vocational schools offer every course type. It's best to study vocational schools in your area because some may also specialize in particular areas.
You will receive a certificate upon completion of each of these programs attesting to your training and completion of the course you selected. In comparison to other recent high school grads who lack the same training for your skill set, this gives you a competitive edge in the employment market.
If you think having multiple certificates for different courses will give you an advantage, you can also do that. For example, if you want to work in the construction industry, you could obtain certificates for electrician, plumber, and carpentry courses. This also holds true for recent graduates who believe that having both a college degree and a certificate from a trade school on their resumes will give them an advantage.
Non-Degree Students
Non-degree students can fit into one of two categories. The first category includes students who enroll in undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs at a college or university but do so without intending to graduate. They are individuals who might be interested in learning for particular classes and wish to pursue academic interests but do not see the necessity of obtaining a full degree. This may be done merely out of a desire to learn more about a certain subject or to demonstrate on their resumes that they have studied the subject in question.
Online or in-person courses on particular subjects that can be utilized to develop specific skills for a resume or for personal enrichment are another option for non-degree students. You will receive a completion certificate rather than a diploma. It's comparable to what you'd get out of tech school but is more academic than technical.
Community Colleges
Junior colleges and two-year colleges are other names for community institutions. According to its name, community college students obtain associate degrees after just two years, as opposed to four years and a bachelor's degree. Although not all colleges do, some community colleges also provide non-degree credentials and practical training. Community colleges provide community programs in addition to academic classes.
Community colleges only offer the general education courses that all college students must complete, which is why getting a diploma there takes only half as long. In traditional colleges and universities, you study for four years. The first two years are devoted to fulfilling general education requirements, and the final two years are spent taking classes specific to your major.
In addition to being a step toward employment, community college can also be used to prepare students for university. You can continue to a university and major for two more years to work towards a bachelor's degree using the courses you've completed at community college. However, if you decide against getting one and plan to start working after community college, you will still receive an associate's degree.
Colleges & Universities
Colleges and universities, the most popular option for post-secondary education, offer post-graduate degrees to college students in addition to bachelor's degrees for high school students. Graduate school, law school, medical school, dental school, and business school are a few post-graduate degrees that fit into this category.
Some people enroll in post-secondary educational facilities including graduate programs and business schools in order to earn a master's degree that will offer them an advantage in the competition for higher-level jobs. However if you want to get a certain employment role, you have to enroll in and complete your education at other schools like law school and medical school. For instance, depending on how competitive a paralegal position at a law firm is, paralegals may need certification or even a bachelor's degree, but if you want to become a lawyer, you must complete law school and pass the bar exam in your jurisdiction.
Although it is arguably the most expensive post-secondary option, there are a number of ways to enroll. You can get partial to full scholarships from a number of grant and scholarship programs (some even offer stipends or allowances for costs like food, books, and other essentials) without incurring debt. Yet, many scholarship programs are fiercely competitive, and they are frequently given to students who exhibit exceptional academic or athletic promise or who have the greatest need for financial assistance.
Do I Need Post-Secondary Education for Work?
There is no guarantee that pursuing post-secondary education will lead to employment in the future, nor is there any guarantee that you will find employment as soon as you graduate. You don't have to choose any of the aforementioned possibilities if you don't think any of them will help you move closer to the career you desire or envision for the future. Post-secondary education is not required, in contrast to elementary and secondary education, therefore you can choose to continue your study even after you graduate from high school or turn 18 years old.
Nearly 70% of 2018 high school graduates between the ages of 16 and 24 enrolled in colleges or universities, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. And over 72% of 20 to 29-year-olds with college degrees were in employment. Nonetheless, compared to 42% of high school dropouts, 74% of high school graduates were in the labor force (i.e., employed or actively seeking employment).
This implies that there will be a position in the labor market that matches your educational achievement, regardless of it. Nonetheless, the job market can be competitive depending on what that is.
Also, pay attention to the discrepancy in salaries. The average annual pay of a college graduate is over half that of a high school graduate, and the difference between the two educational attainments is only widening, which may be one of the reasons why more than half of high school graduates choose to pursue post-secondary education.
But, some people don't just work for the money; they also work because it's what they want to do or because they're happy with the work they do and the money they make. There is nothing wrong with this, especially if it results in them choose a job or career path that enables them to pursue their interests.
It is ultimately up to you whether or not to seek post-secondary education. It's acceptable to forgo this entirely and follow a job or track that you want if your desired career does not necessarily fit within the institutions that are available to you if you believe that continuing education will not significantly advance your career. But you are aware that there are other possibilities accessible to you if you want to further your education but believe you cannot afford to attend college for four years.
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