One of the most important decisions students must make is what they will do after high school. While there are many different options for everyone, college and trade school tend to be the most popular choices.
“I would maybe take myself to trade school and dual enroll next year before I become a senior,” sophomore Patrick Darden said. “[That way,] I can have a big boy job making plenty of money instead of waiting to go to college right after high school. Instead, I could go get my trade now.”
Trade school allows young adults to explore different career paths and gain hands-on experience instead of working an office-like job. It also does not require as much time as a university, so it has both ups and downs.
“I think they’re both equal in their own sense, but in these times with AI and everything, trade school would be more of the way forward because of AI not being able to change it,” junior Ian Miller said.
Although trade school is a faster way to work and make more money, college leads to long careers and can earn more certifications for careers students may pursue.
“I just always thought that [when comparing] trade school to college, college is better for me specifically because I wanted to pursue engineering, and it’s a lifelong career that I can do until I’m old. Trade school seems like something you can do until the wheels fall off,” senior Jacob Payne said. “I could still pursue football while in college.”
In conclusion, trade school can lead to higher-paying jobs with minimal costs. On the other hand, college leads to more certifications in a particular field of work. Both options have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, it depends on the individual student and their future aspirations to decide what will be the best fit for them.
