Why are the only options after graduating high school is to go to college or join the army?

Question

if you don't do one or the other. you will be stuck in a low paying job for the rest of your life. entry level for college graduates in liberal education are a little over 20K

Answer 1

As the job market gets more and more competitive, you will find that a degree will help you.

Some jobs require degrees in order to advance in your field so that is something to consider when picking your field of study.  I've heard of some people having 10 years of experience but not being able to advance to a higher pay rate because they don't have a college degree.  On the other hand, many college students expect to hop out of college and be hired immediately and it doesn't happen because they don't have any experience.  

A really good plan for the future is to balance your education with experience.  however, what can really make a difference is networking.  Often, jobs are really given to people who are referred by someone else and sometimes an applicant will be hired not because of better experience or education but just because they know someone who already works at the company and the company feels like they can trust them.

If you feel like college isn't for you, then you shouldn't go.  However, if you're worried about the cost of college, investigate financial aid and state schools.  There is a way to take out loans and pay for college even for someone on the tightest budget.  It does take some planning though and usually an appointment with the financial aid office to figure out what you are elligible for.

You could also look into a community college or trade school.  There are many skills that you can gain through these resources that will give you a chance to progress to a higher paying job.  For example, welders make A LOT of money once they have been in their field for some time.  Or perhaps medical records administration is a field you may find interesting.

I have a really good friend that is making a very good salary and benefits as a manager of a corporate restaurant.  She works wacky hours but makes enough money to be proud of.  She has a college degree but I don't believe that it was required.  However, she did have to have a certain number of years of experience in the restaurant business.  Which leads me to another option.  MANY people have been able to make very good money waiting tables and then work their way into management.  It pays well and it gives you some time to decide what your path will be until you're ready to do it.

As far as joining the army, I would really look at where that will take you.  Of course there are benefits however, I think that you really need to be ready to go overseas and get involved in the war at some point if you choose that direction.  That's a decision that will require a little bit of soul searching.

Good luck :)

Answer 2

This may be the salary average in your area; at the school I just left, it was more like $35K.  There are, of course, other options.  If you have entrepreneurial interests, there are some people who do well without going to college.  In some areas, there are jobs in fields like law enforcement available.  You could also go to a trade school or do an apprenticeship to get training in a trade. The average electrician, plumber, or auto mechanic doesn't have a college education and does quite well.

Answer 3

In the past, workers could go start a job right after high school because there was not much competition. Now, as the book is called, "the world is flat". There is competition from nearly every develop(ing) country in the world. Our workers need to be highly skilled and highly trained. There are still a few jobs out there where you don't need a college degree but,as you say, they don't pay well.