College is a great choice for some students. Many students are energized and excited to have the college experience. Trade schools also have a lot to offer and should be an option students consider prior to making a choice about their future.

College degree programs usually take four years to complete. College helps students develop what are called “soft skills” such as critical thinking. This comes from the general courses all students are required to take regardless of their major. College provides them with many choices in life and they have the option to study more than one major.

Trade school, often called technical school or vocational school, can be completed in one to two years. It provides career-focused training. Students receive hard skills training in a chosen field, and they get hands-on experience in addition to classroom learning.

Both college and trade school will offer students different experiences, but they do have some things in common. You can get financial aid for either, both can improve job options, and both require a high-school diploma or GED.

Either one has the potential to meet a student’s needs. The choice comes down to what the student’s future career goals are, the amount of money they have to spend, and the amount of time they have to invest in preparing for their future jobs.

There are different routes to take to have a successful future.