Vocational fields and jobs in construction, manufacturing, welding, electricians, me- chanics, and plumbers are facing personnel shortages due to an aging workforce, accord- ing to Stephen Tave, president and CEO of American Higher Education Development Corporation. These hands-on jobs also come with a built-in advantage—they’re essentially AI-proof. Not to mention that vocational colleges are significantly more affordable than other uni- versities, require less time to earn a degree, and graduates enter the workplace sooner. But no matter what decision is made, Rine- hart says to just enjoy the process and try not to stress over it. “I think people get discour- aged and stressed out of the gate, and really, they should just enjoy it. There’s nothing more fun than being on a college campus and just visiting different schools,” he explains. The goal to help your child succeed isn’t nec- essarily to chase prestige or follow tradition, it’s to help your teen choose a path that fits who they are and who they’re still becoming.
Rinehart emphasizes that families should not expect college to be a golden ticket to success—a student is not automatically transformed, guaranteed with a job, prom- ised a certain salary, and set fpr a successful life and career until they retire. “Life is a journey, it’s not as simple,” he explains. “You should come into college eyes wide open to know that you will transform personally and academically, but you still have another 60 years of your life and your career that will also be influenced by a lot of other things besides that you went to college.” CAREER ALTERNATIVES You spend 18 years preparing your child for the world after high school, so what do you do when your child comes home and says, “I don’t want to go to college”? First, make sure it isn’t just nerves—have them meet with a college counselor or their high school counselor to help alleviate some misguided expectations and ease the nerves. If it truly is that the traditional four-year col- lege route is not for your child, but they still want to continue their education, there are other options. Many accredited online and community colleges also offer associate or bachelor’s degrees.
openly. Encourage them to explore career interests, think about what they are good at doing and what they find joy and passion in, visit different types of campuses, and con- sider alternatives like trade schools or a gap year. Act like a sounding board and guide them toward a school or path that fits best for them, rather than one with prestige. “I think families need to be evaluating col- leges on three levels,” says Rinehart. “Is this particular school a personal match for me, is it an academic match, and is it a financial match?” And if a school, or even college in general, is not a fit—it’s ok! If your child is unsure, a gap year is perfect to work and explore interests, helping them mature and define their goals. Recent studies show that 90 percent of students who take a gap year before going to college return to school. IF COLLEGE IS RIGHT Rinehart says there are numerous great col- leges and universities that families should go explore, even locally. He encourages families to hop in the car and visit all different types of schools—public, private, small, medium, large. “You can start to get a feel for what resonates with you and what excites you,” he says.
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