By Arianna Reyes & Ayanna Ford, Staff Writers | Feburary 22, 2023
Photo Courtesy of Associated Press
As the school year is coming to an end, students are looking at what they are going to do after high school. While some students consider college, others are looking into trade schools.
It seems to be the consensus that trade school offers better opportunities for many students rather than a 4-year college.
Carson High School senior Eddie Vasquez said, “College is too expensive, and also, I don't really like school. I'm a more hands-on type of dude.”
A lot of students agree with Vasquez because, according to bestcolleges.com, a public 4-year college (in-state) costs about $8,192, a public 4-year (out-of-state) costs about $32,177, and a private 4-year costs about $37,009.
Overall, cost is a serious consideration when determining plans for after high school.
“I think that if a student knows a specific field that they want to go into, that requires certification or some type of license, and they don't necessarily want to go to a four-year university, I think that trade school is a great option,” said CHS’ M.E.Di.A Magnet educator Mrs. Cave, “because you get hands-on training too do a specific thing. Whereas college is broader [and] you kind of have to study a lot of subjects.”
According to bestcolleges.com, trade school is best known for different courses that you can take to focus on specific training.
“So basically, what students need to know from 9th grade is that they want to conduct their high school so that there are many doors open for them,” said MM counselor Mrs. Adler. “One of these doors is UCs one of them is Cal States. One of them is private secular, private, religious, and HBCUs are all private and those are the college options for the four-year college where you get a VA.”
CHS college counselor Mrs. Naufahu believes the answer lies within the future plans of the individual.
“So, if the student's end goal is to become a lawyer, then the student may be interested in actually going off into a 4-year university or even a 2-year university, and then transferring in and then of course passing the bar and furthering their education that way,” said Mrs. Naufahu. “However, if there's a student who just knows, ok, I just want to be an electrician then a trade school may be a better option for that student. So it just depends on what the end goal is for that student.”
The road to trade school can begin with community college.
Ms. Naufahu said, “If you want to get into automotive [for example], and you’re only looking [to earn a] certificate, then you may be interested in actually attending El Camino College. They have resources for students that are only looking in to do the certificate program.”
In the end, if you're looking for job-specific skills, trade school is no doubt the better route.
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