A Vocational Degree Is the Fast Track to Your Dream Career

Vocational degrees have long held a respected place in our society. Tradespeople such as welders, carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics are all examples of professionals who seek out vocational degrees before starting their careers. While these are still viable and lucrative options, the vocational degree umbrella has expanded considerably. Now, firefighters and police officers earn vocational degrees, as do pilots, paralegals, dental hygienists, personal trainers, and property managers. What’s more, the list of careers that can be pursued with a vo-tech degree continues to grow, making it one of the most efficient and practical ways to jump into an exciting job market.

Unlike other post-secondary education degrees, vocational degrees require little in the way of prerequisites, making it simpler to start the educational process. Also, they don’t usually require the general education courses that other undergrad programs do. Vo-tech degrees are completely focused on the topic being studied, so you can dig right in and make fast progress toward your desired career. 

The learning environments are often not the same as they are for other post-secondary students either. Pilots, for example, would spend time in airport hangars, learning how to fly, fix, and maintain their planes. Plumbers, electricians, and mechanics would also attend classes where they would get hands-on with the material. If pursuing a vocational degree is your goal, you’ll likely be attending a career college, a tech school, or a trade school. Sometimes community colleges will offer vocational degrees as well.

These are just a few of the factors to consider when deciding to pursue a vocational degree. Others include:

• Class Size: Personal coaching is a crucial factor when it comes to confidence and skill mastery – especially when you’re learning a trade. Having your instructor watch you weld is much more instructional than comparing your work to a picture in a textbook. Average class size can also impact how much or how little customizing you’re allowed, which can be a major factor in more technical programs like computer networking. 
• Practical Experience: One of the factors that attracts a person to a vocational career is the chance to get hands-on, and a credible degree program will reflect this. When considering a school or college, look for information on how big a role clinics, labs, internships, and the like will play in your education.
• Credentials: Accreditation is the process by which a school or college earns the approval of a governing body to teach classes on a specific topic. Often, there are federal and state regulations that a school must meet, along with requirements by licensing organizations. While most schools that offer classes have met the accreditation standards, it’s still a good idea to investigate a school’s accreditation status before spending any money there. 

Once you’ve found a respectable, accredited school that offers the coursework and training you need in your field of interest, you can look forward to a focused education that will bring you up to speed in your chosen career fast.