advice........?

Question

if you are a good student, you feel like society says you have to go to college, i am in this situation

i want to look into trades, especially drafting, possibly from a technical school but everyone is assuming i'm going to a 4 year university and i feel like i'll let them down because most people in my extended family went to 4 year colleges (one went to a 2 year and one didn't go)

my parents call technical schools "refridgerator repair schools" even though they know nothing about them and that is just one program the school offers (and refridgerator repair isnt even the program i was interested in)

is anyone else in a similar situation

does anyone have advice

http://neit.edu/careerchoices/abet.html

the link above shows a program at a school i was interested in

Answer 1

At the end, its your life and you can do whatever you want. Its your choice and your parents have to respect that.

Answer 2

Four years of college is NOT for everybody. It's great if you want a well-rounded socially active environment. Studies are only one part of college life, but, depending on your career goals, it may be the only access to a particular field.
Technical Schools provide hands on learning in a fast paced environment. Not much social interaction, but it can be a better approach to getting a quick start on a career.
I work with people who use CAD, Auto Desk, and Auto CAD. It's used for everything from modular design and manufacturing to computer generated animation and special effects. It's a very diverse field and pretty much open to all sorts of possibilities.
I am a network technician. I had gone to College right after high school, but recently I attended a technical school for my computer training. What I learned in college was invaluable, but I never found a way to apply it to my job. What I learned at the technical school, I use every day. College provided me with the theories, ideas and design concepts. Technical school taught me the working concepts. Both are good, college gives you long term understanding, while technical school gets you faster results.
Actually the most important thing is that you go to one of them. Don't ever pass up the chance on getting more education, either in your chosen field or in another area. Investing in yourself is always profitable.

Answer 3

I was in a similar sitution. I wanted to be a hair stylist rather than go to college (I am a male). I had the confidince that I could succeed. I became very good and what I did..became a master stylist, platform artist, Educator for Paul Mitchell, did Photo Shoots, etc, plus a $75K income. I do not think that college is for everyone and that one should pursue his or hers dreams if possible. First thing to do is thoroughly check this NE-Tech out. Do they have a Job placement service too? Are the jobs you will be doing in the income bracket you want? Possibility for Advancement? Find out what, specifically, these job descriptions are. They promise an Assiciates degress..is this accredited? I have found that "true happiness" in your life's work mean a great deal. Best wishes.

Answer 4

What they mean by refrigerator repair is that usually by going to a tech school thats similar to what you'll end up doing. Why would a good company hire someone with a tech trade degree when they can hire someone with a 4 year education?

The important thing to remember is 4 year colleges arn't for learning your trade, they are for teaching you how to learn. Most people don't even end up working in the same field. And you must know that by going to college you'll experiance things that will change your life and help you mature and grow.

School is fun, you get loans and don't have to work, lots of girls too. Its not as bad as you think.

And you don't have to go to school to be sucessful. Just do what you love and the money will follow easy as that.

Answer 5

I think your family wants you to get the best education available to increase your chances of success and limit your chances of failure in the real world.

But unfortunately, a 4 year college degree necessarily doesn't provide that. However, after saying that, what it does provide is a piece of paper that allows you in the door anywhere. Whereas a 2 year technical college diploma does not.

If you know you want to be a draftsman then go for it. But don't give up. Stay at it if it's your dream because you will succeed if you keep at it.

Some advice: make damn sure you learn how to use the CAD programs in that course even if they don't offer it, cause that's what it's all about these days even to get hired.

Cheers,
Darrin

Answer 6

It is your choice which school you go to. You are old enough to make decisions yourself. Your parents should accept the fact that you are an adult and support you through whatever decision you make. Just because you have the potential to be in a big university or people expect you to be doesn't mean you have to be in one. You may make the best Yale graduate ever, but if it isn't what you want for your life it isn't worth it. The school in the link looks fantastic. Go for it!

Answer 7

Well I'm currently in college, my boyfriend went into trade first (job corps) and is now in college. it really depends on what you want. In my family, it was also a given that i was going to go straight into a 4-year university, which I didn't contest. I am in my third year now, and yes, I do wish I had more experience in and more time to do other things (like the trade of automechanics), but I don't think this is a typical reaction to being in college. I honestly crave that kind of "skilled labor" for myself.. everything I have now is good, I am smarter and I can hold my own in conversations, debates, etc. but none of it is really APPLIED. at least not yet. but I am really in college for the degree and the name. it's not really what I love... just something that I'll have. I would encourage you to try trade school first, because you can always go to college later, and your trade will be handy then for paying your way. also, it may be easier to drop out of or switch within trade school in case you change your mind when you start out.

whatever you decide, please don't let your parents and relatives dictate who you become. of course they are a big part of your life, like mine are a big part of mine. if you think trade school may be for you, you should at least give it a try. i intend to go into it right after college. also, i do believe knowledge and diversity is ALWAYS a good thing to have, and it's always possible to take general education on the side, for cheap too.

all in all, i think trade school is definitely a good way to start out because it gives you more of a sense of direction and autonomy. but you said it yourself.. you are a good student - i assume that also means you're smart. =) the real task is not to make the right decision, but instead being able to handle that decision (i.e. knowing when to drop out, when to switch, when to stay, etc). so i think you'll be perfectly fine in whichever area you choose, as long as YOu are enjoying it!

Answer 8

If this is what you think you'd like to study, then do your homework. Gather all the information on the school, the curriculum, the possible career choices (including potential income) and present it to your parents to show that this is a well thought out decision. Invite them to visit the school with you, and then discuss it fully. How can they agree with you if they know nothing about it? Good luck to you.

Answer 9

Don't rely on what other people say. If you don't want to go to college, you don't have to. You can still get a good job without college. College isn't meant for everyone...and there is nothing wrong with that. Do what makes you feel comfortable.

Answer 10

i graduated high school last year. i was a good student and my father wanted me to go to a "good" college, in his mind that was RISD (Rhode Island School of Design.) when he found out i was going to go to a community college he wasn't to happy, but he got over it. i took a semester off to make some money and then i started school. i knew that my parents would not be happy with what i decided to do, but so far I'm as happy as can be, and I'm saving money. if you do plan on going to a tech school, you need to know that a friend of mine is in a tech school and at 19 he has sold a script, and has done work for RAW. when you decide what to do, make sure its what YOU want to do, not what someone else wants you to do.