There's no question that a university or college education demands a big investment of time and money, but it's an investment that can pay off. However, if four years seems too long, doesn't match your career choice, or you just don't know if it is right for your life, you can still apply to a technical or two-year community college. Technical Colleges Technical colleges offer programs in trades like computer technology and programming, electronics and electronics repair, automotive or diesel engine repair, and medical equipment operation. They teach all the skills necessary for a particular occupation, and often have client companies eager to hire graduates. They also tend to have lower costs, and offer associate degrees and certification in a variety of subjects.
Some people treat community or technical colleges as stepping stones to four-year schools.
But let's say college is a stone you'd rather skip than step on. Private Trade Schools Private trade schools are typically small schools that provide training in many business, technical, medical, and service fields. They are even more tightly focused than community colleges, with programs whose courses are tailored to correspond with a particular career. These programs last from a few weeks to three years or more. Some schools and training programs will provide cooperative education and internship arrangements.