The following is a guest post by Career Step.
According to FinAid, students are graduating with an average student loan debt of $23,186. The average student loan debt for borrowers aged less than 30, as of the end of March 2012, has risen 56 percent since the beginning of 2005 to a record $20,835, according to data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. Colleges drastically cutting down scholarships offered, combined with a poorly performing economy, has resulted in an unprecedented loan malaise across the country. Private loan companies are known to be ruthless in their collection schemes, have outrageously high interest, and have very little consumer protections in place.
And all of this exists despite the fact that only 40 percent of Americans have a college degree.
Maybe it’s time to think outside the box. Is a college degree everything it’s really made out to be? For those who think their life’s calling is to be a professional services provider who needs intense technical and practical training — like doctors, architects and lawyers — college is necessary, important, and vital. This doesn’t mean you won’t be graduating without your fair share of student loans and then some. While it’s still a great idea to go to college to gain life experiences that could never possibly be replicated elsewhere, if you’re facing a serious money crunch and don’t want the student loan sword hanging above your head, vocational training could provide you with a great job that will help you earn well despite the lack of a college degree.
There is a clear shift also in the way vocational training is being viewed in the United States. Steve Perry, education contributor for CNN, discusses in a video blog where America is heading in its preparedness for jobs that require some sort of skill or training. Perry points out skilled jobs now make up 65 percent of all available jobs out there, compared to just 20 percent 60 years ago. You don’t have to choose an either-or situation, says Perry. You can choose to go through vocational training and opt for college later on. With more than two million high-skilled, high-paying jobs that are going unfilled every year, he says he even wants to prepare his own kids for this market.
From the construction and logistics business to nuclear medicine technologists and registered nurses, these jobs are waiting to be filled! They require a high school diploma, or at the most, an associate’s degree.
It’s the perfect solution for single parents, stay-at-home spouses looking to become work-from-home spouses, or parents wanting to spend more time with their children by giving up a full-time day job. It’s also a great option for young people who can’t afford college tuition but want to save toward it. Vocational training can help unlock a world of amazing job opportunities and give you the head start you were always looking for. You can breathe a sigh of relief knowing you won’t be burdened with unnecessary student loans like the rest of them, and yet work toward a promising, fulfilling career that pays well, lets you live a comfortable lifestyle, and save up for your future.
Do you — or have you had in the past — a high-paying job without a college degree? Share your experiences below!
About the Author:
Career Step is a leading vocational school with almost 20 years of experience in providing online career training specifically designed to help students acquire knowledge and skills needed to quickly transition to a successful career after graduation.
