Is it OK to for states to steer some students toward vocational degrees and away from college?
110 total responses
- Yes
71% (79)
- No
- 28% (31)
This really surprised me. Maybe it's the wording of the question... "Steer students toward" vs. "Accept that students want." No all students are interested in "traditional" college degrees and for some students, especially in the economy we've seen the last several years, learning a trade could help lay a foundation for their future. I graduated vo-tech and high school in 2007 and accumulated some scholarship money that I applied toward attending Ohio Tech. College. I wanted to learn a trade that I could always fall back on and I got my certifications in collision and non-structural MIG welding. I learned other skills too, like airbrushing and pin-striping. Think of all the different trades out there! Not only do people need to fill those jobs but knowing those skills can help you in your own life! I can woodwork- I don't need to buy cabinets, I can make my own. I can change my own oil or fix my car if it's in a wreck, I can change my own tires (this could go on..). I know how to sew (some people don't consider that a trade, but I do). There's people out there, I know because I've met my fair share, that think vo-tech is a waste of time... That kills me- and so does the connotations attached to 'vo-tech kids' because I was involved in SkillsUSA and National Technical Honor Society, organizations which helped me pay for Ohio Tech. I graduated OTC 12/08 and had a job lined up in a shop before I moved back home. I worked there just shy of a year before I was ready to go back to school.
Everybody has a different path in mind, and for students (especially) who don't know what they want to do, a vocational program could help them learn important life skills while they figure out what path is right for them.
My boyfriend graduated from Vo-Tech in 2010 and he has a full-time job making decent money (for only being 20). I never knew much about Vo-Tech until I dated him, and found that it actually wasn't just where the no-good, lazy kids go to. It's a high school that allows students to graduate with certifications so if they decide that college isn't for them, it's okay because they can get a good job. I don't think anyone should "steer" anyone in any direction. My boyfriend could have went to college but what he went for (masonry) was offered at Vo-Tech (plus, I don't know of any universities that offer masonry as a major), so that's just how it ended up for him. It may be different for others. Basically, go for whatever you like and whatever will give you decent income.
ReplyDeleteVery true. A lot of teachers, from what i've seen personally, would encourage students to go to vo-tech because they didn't want to "deal" with them. I met some amazing people through vo-tech and was given amazing opprotunities, while having high honors at my home school. I know of a welding engineer that works for shale and makes over 200k... I mean, tell me that's "not a real job." hah.
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