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Research post-secondary
educational paths
As outlined in this book, some jobs in the skilled trades only
require a high school diploma and on-the-job training. For others,
though, you will want to look into trade schools, technical colleges,
apprenticeship programs, or other post-secondary educational
opportunities.
If you are interested in a trade that typically has some sort of
degree or certification requirement, it’s a good idea to do some
research about the ways in which you might go about earning
those credentials. Looking up trade schools in your state and
finding out about the programs they offer is one good option.
Another is to Google the specific type of degrees or certificate
programs you are looking for until you find a school that offers
what you need. Through this process, you can also learn about the
duration of the programs you are considering, the expected cost,
and other factors you’ll need to consider before deciding which
next steps are right for you.
Apply for scholarships
If you do expect that you will need some form of post-high school
schooling to pursue your desired career path in the trades, then
it’s never too early to start learning about—and applying for—all the
scholarships out there for which you might qualify. Many students
and families don’t realize just how much opportunity there is to get
help paying for post-secondary education. So much attention is
paid to federal student loans and financial aid, but those options
usually come with high interest rate loans or other not-so-appealing
baggage. Scholarships and fellowships typically don’t need to be
paid back and can help make paying for college or trade school that
much more doable.