If you are getting close to high school graduation, you may be weighing your post-graduation options. You could attend a university, dive straight into the job hunt, take a year off to think about what you want to do with your life, and so on. There is another option, however, that is significantly less expensive than a four-year university and much more lucrative than trying to start a career straight out of high school: technical college. If you haven’t decided what you’re doing after high school, you’ll want to keep reading.
What is a Technical College?
Technical colleges are institutions that offer focused career education. Unlike universities, which educate students in a range of topics unrelated to their major, technical colleges only make students take the classes they need to prepare themselves for a certain career. This streamlined process makes technical colleges a preferable option for people who want to get into their career faster. This efficient education process also lowers the cost of education significantly.
Technical colleges also tend to be highly flexible when it comes to class schedules and the pace of education. This means that students are more free to hold a job while getting their education and can earn their degree, diploma, or certificate at their own pace. For a long time, technical colleges were seen as the places that working adults or retirees took classes to gain new skills, but that perception is changing. University prices and student debt are rising, which is making younger individuals think twice about going to a traditional university.
If you want to get hands-on training in your career of choice without going into massive student debt, technical colleges are the perfect option. Career Connect is presented by York Technical College, which is the top technical college in upstate South Carolina. York Tech offers a wide range of programs that will prepare you for pretty much any career you can think of. If you want to learn more about York Tech, check out their website!
Can You Get a Degree at a Technical College?
One of the best parts about technical college is the sheer variety of programs. If you just want to get your HVAC installer certificate and move on to your career, you can do that in just one semester! If you want to stick around a bit longer and earn an associate’s degree, you can do that as well. Technical colleges like York Tech let you decide the path you want to take. This is a huge advantage over a traditional university that locks you into a four-year bachelor’s degree program.
“What if I want a bachelor’s degree? Is a university my only option?” These are questions we hear often, but luckily, most technical colleges allow you to start on the path to a bachelor’s degree if that’s your end goal. Technical colleges often have transfer programs that give students the opportunity to complete the first two years of their bachelor’s degree at technical college. This is a great way to save money on your education, even if you want to get a bachelor’s degree. Research even shows that students who begin at two-year colleges perform as well or better than students who begin as freshmen at four-year colleges.
What Education Programs are Available at a Technical College?
An easier question to ask would be, “What education programs aren’t available at a technical college?” Technical colleges such as York Tech offer a wide range of programs to fit the career goals of just about anybody. If you want to go into manufacturing, they have programs for engineering graphics, welding, mechatronics, and more. If you’re more interested in computers, you could get a career in computer programming, cybersecurity, graphic design, or network administration.
Do you want to start a career in the business world? Technical colleges offer education programs for accounting, management, human resources, and more. Are you keen to get involved in the construction industry? You can get certified in carpentry, masonry, plumbing, electricity, and other facets of construction at technical college. No matter what kind of career you’re hoping to start, you can do it at a technical college like York Tech.
How Do Apply for Technical College?
If you want to start your technical college journey, you’ll need to apply! The first thing you should do is reach out to your technical college of choice. Our Get Started page puts you in contact with York Technical College. A representative of the school will be able to evaluate your goals and tell you whether York Tech is a good option for you.
Once you’ve spoken with someone, it’s time to apply for technical college. Many technical colleges have free applications, so there’s no risk in applying! Every college has different application requirements, but York Tech’s are as follows:
- Turn in your high school transcript with a GPA of 2.7 or higher.
- Send in SAT or ACT test scores.
- Take the college’s placement test.
If you are able to provide the proper documentation and take the placement test, you’ll be on your way to a great career and a great life!
If you are getting ready for your high school graduation and want to start a well-paying career quickly, technical college is your best option. Technical college provides hands-on training, focused education, and flexible scheduling — all at a much lower price than a traditional university. The barriers to entry are low and you can even start taking classes while still enrolled in high school through a program called dual enrollment. For more information on York Technical College in Rock Hill, SC, click “Get Started Today” and get in touch with a college representative!
