In general, students enroll in career colleges for just that reason - they want a career. We've all read the stories of someone with a Master's degree flipping burgers at a local fast food restaurant. While this may be an exaggeration, there are many students who pursue an academic degree only to find out that they are unable to enter the workforce because they lack specific task related skills or licensure.
Career oriented colleges offer students a defined pathway to a career, provided the student meets the required benchmarks and completes the training. What we must be very diligent about in our discussion with prospective students is that the college provides the training but the regulatory entity actually governs licensure.
Carolina,
Thank you for participating in the forum. Like you, I too attended a traditional college, it enabled me to think critically and to better understand the research and theories behind my major but in no way prepared me to enter the workforce. Students of career schools and colleges are much better prepared for a new career than I was. Bravo, to all of those who work diligently to provide students with the opportunity to become more successful!
Cindy Bryant
There are a number of reasons why students choose to attend a career school. Primordially I believe students find the career sector more welcoming. I attended a traditional school for undergraduate and graduate school, and I can honestly say that career schools provide a lot more guidance and support to new and continuing students that any of the state schools I attended. In addition, students may feel that they fit in with the career school student population better than a traditional school and also the types of programs career schools offer may be more appealing. I believe because of all the regulations career schools have to adhere to, students tend to have a better educational experience in our sector. Traditional schools tend to have a strong focus on academic research and publication for their faculty and for their students. Our sector is more concerned with providing students the tools they need to have a career without being bogged down with all the quirks of academia. Career schools are more student focused than traditional schools.
Mickie,
Career higher education was founded on the fact that students are able to receive more "hands-on" training. The best way to accomplish this task is in a smaller classroom where everyone can get involved. Thanks for mentioning this important feature.
Cindy Bryant
Much of the feedback I receive is that they feel that at a career school they get more individual attention and many don't like to wait to be accepted into a highly competitive program at a university when they can go to our program and start on their career path.
Patricia,
Students enroll in career schools for a variety of reasons, they may need the quickest path to a new career or they may not ready for the university. The beauty of a career school is that they are invested in their students success and students can be assured that they will receive the individual attention that they may need to succeed.
Cindy Bryant
There are many reasons that students enroll in a career college. I think for the most part the main reason they choose a career college is to obtain the skills needed to be gainfully employed or receive advancement at their current job in the quickest way possible.
I feel students enroll in career colleges because they are looking for a smaller more family oriented atmosphere with the other students, teachers and the faculty. They may feel slightly intimidated by the bigger universities. Most of your career colleges offer flexible hours which is a key factor when it comes to students who work or have children to take care of.
Roxanne,
Thank you for sharing all of these great programs that your school offers.
Cindy Bryant
I have seen that the students not only want to change or start their career paths, however they want to improve their lives in general. Through our school's fraternity, mentor program and volunteer programs, to name a few, students have the opportunity to not only enhance their education, but their resumes and social circles, learn encouragement and team building that will prepare them for the workforce.
Greg,
Generally students are looking for the best and shortest route to success. The career school sector has always been the best at meeting this type of demand.
Cindy Bryant
I have found that majority are looking for a fast track to success, small class sizes, and something that focuses moreso on the subject matter rather than general studies.
Hi Sharon,
This is a great answer to this question! I think that Career colleges are a bit more inviting or welcoming to first generation students because Career colleges are typically smaller in size, as well as class size. State colleges and universities can be quite intimidating for a student that graduated high school many years ago or even a student that is the first in their family to pursue higher education.
Sharon,
Maybe it's time to rethink the term non-traditional. In your description I realized that the majority of our population is made up of working adults and career-changers which represent the Baby Boomer generation. You have eloquently described the career schools and college industry and what they stand for. Thank you for your participation in the forum.
Cindy Bryant
The students who enroll in a career college are looking for many things. Certainly, they want the education and training necessary to begin a career. However, the majority of them are non-traditional students and they need an educational option that meets their needs. Non-traditional is a term used to describe any number of student groups including working adults, parents, career-changers or first generation students. Career colleges have been very adept at meeting the demands of these students.
Very often career college applicants are first generation students. They do not have a lot of information on how to go to college. Career colleges offer straightforward enrollment processes and predetermined schedules. Career colleges also offer a high level of student support to keep students on track toward graduation.
Career Schools streamline their curriculum with year-round courses, evening classes and weekend or online programs so that students reach graduation on a quicker pace than more traditional schools. Career colleges also have the flexibility to keep the curriculum current with the marketplace so that graduates may transition to the job market smoothly. Student populations are often much smaller than more traditional schools so the students see the campus as a community and are not overwhelmed by a large, confusing campus.
Ease of use, flexibility, community and support are all reasons that many students choose a career college over options that are more traditional.
There are probably as many reasons as there are students. The most often reasons are seeking marketable skills, social advancement through earning a title, and financial stability that job placement and the resulting income fulfill.
