Career Colleges
The Education and Training You Need

Perhaps you have known since early childhood what you want to be as an adult, or you’re not sure what you want to do and the degrees offered at traditional colleges and universities aren’t inspiring you in any direction. If so, a career college may be the right option for you.

What exactly does a career college or technical school offer? The degree and diploma programs offered by many career colleges offer career-based technical training in fields like business, IT, cosmetology, culinary arts, criminal justice, electronics, graphic arts, and the health sciences.

One of the diplomas commonly offered is in Medical Assisting. This career that has a very favorable outlook for graduates. According to the U.S. Government Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical assistants is expected to grow 34% from 2008 to 2018. This ranks medical assistants among the fastest growing occupations over that period.

Although no reputable college can guarantee employment after graduation, career colleges strive to give their students the skills and understanding to best prepare them for their chosen field. Most colleges have career services departments to help students look for jobs. Services can include help with writing a professional resume, job interviewing tips, and helping to find employers who may be hiring.

One important aspect of career colleges is that most put a priority on job training as part of the education. Career colleges often emphasize hands-on training in addition to classroom instruction. Students studying computer technology will likely spend a lot of time navigating their way around the inside of computers; culinary arts students chop, sauté and cook; medical assisting students get hands-on experience in learning CPR, blood pressure monitoring and other real-world skills.

Attending a career college helps to eliminate a question that many graduates from traditional colleges face: “Now what?” Although it is the graduate‘s ultimate responsibility to find a job, he or she will have training in a specific field as opposed to those who graduate with degrees in broad topics. Where traditional four year colleges may require a variety of courses that aren’t necessarily applicable to the career field, career colleges offer courses that teach the skills needed to get started in a specific career. Many career college students enjoy the advantage of concentrating on courses that interest them, rather than having to load up on classes that don’t appear to be relevant to them.

Many career college courses are taught by people who have real-world experience in the field. Lawyers and retired police officers may teach criminal justice courses, while an experienced chef may share his years of experience in a culinary arts program. For some instructors, it’s a way of giving back and sharing their passion for their area of experience.

Another benefit of career colleges is time. Some students can’t or aren’t interested in spending four years (or longer) at a traditional college. Many career college programs can be completed in two years; some can be done in 18 months or less.

Class size is another factor that may interest you in a career college. You won’t just be another faceless student at a huge university; instead, you will have smaller class sizes that allow you to get to know your instructors and classmates in a more personal setting. Many career college students say it is an environment that is better suited for them.

While career colleges can be vastly different than four-year colleges, there is one pretty clear similarity – financial aid, which is available for those who qualify. The same student loans that are available to students attending four-year colleges are available to students attending career colleges.

If you are considering a career college, make sure you ask about accreditation for the programs in which you are interested. Various boards certify specific programs to ensure that the education meets or exceeds the standards for the profession. Different states also have different criteria for approving career colleges. Be sure to ask an admissions representative about accreditation.

Don’t feel like you have to follow the traditional route to a college degree. You should choose the path that best suits your education needs and career goals.

Editorial provided by Dr. Hiram Nall, President, Remington College-North Houston Campus.