Whether you are a recent high school graduate or are just looking for a career shift, you are faced with a lot of choices when it comes to furthering your education.  Many people immediately think of traditional four-year universities when they think of higher education, however, more and more people are realizing that a vocational school may be a better option for them to help them quickly move on to a higher paying and rewarding career.

What are Vocational Schools?

Vocational schools, also known as trade schools, teach students the skills necessary to perform the functions of a particular job.  Most vocational schools design their curriculum specifically for fields that have the greatest potential for current job openings and future growth.  In some cities and states, government supported vocational schools are offered at charter academies or to those who are in their final years of high school.  However, most vocational schools are not government supported in any capacity.  Private tech schools like Csinow  provide vocational education in two years or less helping students quickly find a job in their field of study.  Some of the most common fields of study offered by vocational schools include medical assisting, medical office administration, computer networking, and business management.

Benefits of Choosing a Vocational School

1 – Apprentice Education and Exact Instruction

Vocational schools are structured to teach you exactly what you need to know for your chosen career.  They often offer hands on apprentice education and skill presentation in real world settings.  Many students prefer this method of instruction because it allows them to bypass all of the liberal arts classes such as the English, history, and math classes that would be required of them at a traditional university.  Students get to focus their time and attention on what interests them most and what will get them a job the fastest.

2 – Shortened Class Time                                                                                   

Vocational schools focus only on teaching you what you need to know to succeed in your specific trade, so the education time is much shorter than it is at a 4 year university.  You can spend more time learning about things that actually pertain to your chosen career rather than wasting time on classes that do not interest you in the slightest.

3 – Reduced Costs

Have you ever heard of the saying “time is money”?  When it comes to vocational schools, this saying definitely holds true.  By completing your education in a fraction of the time it would take you to earn a degree at a university, you are able to quickly move onto a career that pays.  Not only that, but most vocational schools cost an average of $5,000 less than a university education.  You can save a lot of money by attending a vocational school.

4 – Better Job Placement

In today’s economy, many university graduates are finding it harder and harder to find a job in their field upon graduation.  Part of the problem is that many university graduates find themselves with a broad academic knowledge base without any expertise in one specific area.  It is difficult to quickly land a job when one has spent the last four years studying something as broad as English or History.  Those who graduate from vocational schools can generally expect better job placement.

Contact a vocational school near you for more information about how you can improve your chances of quickly landing the job of your dreams.

Evan Aoki is a recent college graduate and contributor for Theprointern.com where he likes to report on career development strategies.