College or University
Community College
Technical Trade/Proprietary Schools
Apprenticeships
Business Schools
On-the-job Training

Don't know for sure what you want to do for a living? Try it out! There are a lot of choices. Take the first step toward a career while still in high school. Experience the workplace you might be interested in before making your choice. Take advantage of the various work opportunities listed below. Explore options so you can make the right choice for you. Don't lock yourself out. If you work in an area in which you are interested, you will most likely succeed. Following are a few options to help prepare you for a successful future:

College or University (top of page)

• Requirements: High school diploma, college prep curriculum, G.P.A., class rank, test scores and extra curricular activities. Some schools accept the G.E.D.
  
  
• Training: Four years for Bachelor's degree. Master's and Doctoral degrees require six or more years of training.
  
  
• Advantages: Broadens knowledge in variety of disciplines. Prepares one for a career or career change and advanced degrees. More education offers higher paying jobs. Good job placement services.
  
  
• Disadvantages: Costly. 1990 Federal Department of Labor reports only 20% of jobs will require a four-year degree.
  
  
• Tips: Visit campuses. Check catalogs. Use high school career centers. Attend college representative high school visitations. Talk with students who attend. Many colleges and universities offer special help programs for students with learning problems. Copies of catalogs for colleges with those facilities can be seen or borrowed in each high school counseling office.

Community College (top of page)

• Requirements: Prefer high school diploma or G.E.D. Special testing/abilities for selected programs.
  
  
• Training: Six months to two years. Certificate and associate degree options.
  
  
• Advantages: Less expensive. Part–time or full–time program options. Can take classes of personal interest. Credits can transfer to other colleges. Develop technical skills. Build academic skills. Experiment by selecting classes of special interest.
  
  
• Disadvantages: Student housing is usually not available. Fraternities and sororities are not part of campus life.
  
  
• Tips: Visit school. Check placement record. Talk with students who attend. Note: Macomb Community College, Center Campus, provides the University Center for students wishing to enroll in a 2 + 2 program which leads to a bachelor's degree. Several area universities provide staff and programs at the University Center. Direct inquiries to the University Center at (810) 286-2000. Note: A Special Services Department offers a variety of services to disadvantaged students and to students with handicaps.

Technical Trade Schools/Proprietary Schools (top of page)

• Requirements: Prefer high school diploma or G.E.D. Individual school's admission requirements vary.
  
  
• Training: Program credit is usually based on training hours. Each trade or occupation require different number of hours for program completion.
  
  
• Advantages: Trade schools offer programs which train a person for a specific trade, occupation or vocation. The course work is very focused.
  
  
• Disadvantages: Credit earned at a technical trade school or proprietary school ordinarily does not transfer to a degree–granting college or university.
  
  
• Tips: Visit campuses. Check catalogs. Ask for job placement information.

Apprenticeships (top of page)

• Requirements: 18 years of age. High school diploma or G.E.D. Special academic abilities. Qualifying test scores. Personal interview. Prior vocational education or related work experience.
  
  
• Training: Three–six years/state of federal registered programs. Large companies may have unregistered programs. Involves a combination of school and work.
  
  
• Advantages: Highly respected by management and labor. Paid training position. Learn by hands–on–approach. Become skilled craftsman. Excellent salary and benefits.
  
  
• Disadvantages: Limited apprenticeship openings. Highly competitive programs.
  
  
• Tips: Maintain a strong math and science program in high school. Take vocational courses. A number of apprenticeship programs are listed elsewhere in this site.

Business (top of page)

• Requirements: High school diploma or G.E.D. Special abilities may be required depending on program.
  
  
• Training: Varies depending on program, college, community college or privately owned schools. Student received certification upon successful completion of the program.
  
  
• Advantages: Marketable job skills. Training focused and relevant to current job market. High job placement rates. Programs modified to needs of local industries.
  
  
• Disadvantages: Privately owned schools may be more expensive than community college programs. Check placement record. Talk with graduates and employees.
  
  
• Tips: Check accreditation. Tour facilities.

On-the-Job Training (top of page)

• Requirements: Minimal skills. File job applications. Interview. High school diploma preferred.
  
  
• Training: Learn an occupation or skill while working. Training varies in length of time.
  
  
• Advantages: Improve job skills or learn new ones. "Earn as you learn."
  
  
• Disadvantages: Salary low to start, usually minimum wage. Additional schooling may be necessary for advancement.
  
  
• Tips: Seek opportunities through small companies. Explore the school–to–work program during high school.

(top of page)