Is Vocational School Right for Me?

For some people, a traditional, four-year college doesn't make sense. Find out about vocational schools.

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Whether it’s a desire to hone skills in a particular area or take advantage of specific career opportunities, vocational schools are an attractive alternative for continuing your education. And with more than 2 million students attending accredited career colleges during the 2005 – 2006 school year*, vocational schools are an increasingly popular choice.

Also known as trade schools, technical schools and career colleges, vocational schools offer a range of certifications and degrees in more than 200 career-specific fields. And just like at a traditional college, numerous scholarships and federal and state financial aid programs are available to students.

Vocational schools tend to be popular among non-traditional students, those with families or full-time jobs, or are past the age of the typical college student. To accommodate these students, most vocational schools offer online courses, flexible schedules and accelerated programs.

Additionally, vocational schools offer significant career opportunities for those who already have completed a degree in a traditional college setting. In recent years, a growing number of students who have earned their bachelor’s degree return to a vocational school to study culinary arts, fashion design and more.

So how do you know if attending a vocational school is the right thing for you? Consider your goals for an education and career. Do you want to take a lot of courses to find out what you like or are you ready to pursue a specific career? If you chose the latter, you’re probably ready for a vocational school. Some the many career opportunities include: