Understanding post-high school options
- Irene Maddox
- Apr 1
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 10
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.
The Road Not Taken, Robert Frost
Graduation is coming, and as a sophomore, it can be stressful to think about the future. The simple idea of college can feel stressful and overwhelming. However, there are many ways to understand what lies ahead using the statistics of previous students. Ms. Marquez, our College Counselor and my mentor, gave me some informational statistics on what previous classes did to get into specific schools. The class of 2023 included 340 people, (based on responses of Ms. Marquez’s Google form) and not all of them pursued a four-year university after high school. This is not necessarily a bad thing.
There are different routes to take at the end of high school and, often, students take less popular ones. 21 of the members of the class of 2023 went straight into a Trade School or pursued Career Education. 15 students went into a gap or service year and 15 more were employed immediately out of high school. Four students joined the military.
I was initially unsure and pretty much unaware of the other paths after high school; I’d only heard about the benefits of attending university. After researching, I know that college is probably the right choice for me. Despite this, I realized that it’s still important to understand the substantiality of other options and how they differ from each other. So, what are the roads that can be taken? What are their pros and cons?
Gap Year
According to the Gap Year Association, approximately 2-3% of American students choose to take a gap year before college, resulting in about 40,000-60,000 students who take this road. During the COVID-19 pandemic, this number spiked. Gap years are usually a time for volunteer work, internships, or a good time to find out your passions and who you are. Malia Obama popularized this option after taking one in 2017.
PROS
Personal growth and self-discovery
Career exploration
Better college preparation
CONS
Potential loss of academic momentum/motivation
Financial considerations
Delayed career progression
Trade School
Trade schools aim to prepare students for specific jobs, differing from traditional two to four year universities that require general education classes. Typically, trade schools focus on advancing technical skills in trades, like mechanics or the culinary arts. Other examples include technology repair, filmmaking, culinary training, or electrical work. Additionally, trade schools are typically cheaper than traditional colleges.
PROS
Specialized training for specific careers
Cost effectiveness
Shorter programs
CONS
Limited career flexibility
Limited academic resources
Limited financial aid (but cheaper than college)
Career Education
Career Education is an option-post high school that should become more popular thanks to our school’s new implementation of the CP program to accompany the DP program. It is very similar to Trade School, and it focuses on making sure students are prepared for specific careers and development in skills. There are several differences between Career Education and Trade School; a main one being the durations of the program. Typically, trade schools last a shorter time, while Career Education can take two or more years to complete. Career Education also offers a wider range of careers in fields such as cosmetology, IT technology, and others. They also may include a mix of academic subjects.
PROS
Faster entry into the workforce
Cost effective (like trade school!)
High graduation rates
CONS
Limited financial aid (less expensive than college, however)
Limited academic resources
Significant time commitment (but everything is if you think about it)
University/College
The most well-known option on this list is college or university, which everyone has heard about. Colleges differ, however. Four-year universities, like Occidental College, USC, and all the UC’s offer bachelor degrees and help those who want to work in a specific major or seek a broader education. Two-year universities, like Pasadena City College and Glendale City College, help those seeking associate degrees. Two-year universities also can help people transfer into four-year ones at a smaller price. Some specialized schools like Parson’s School of Design in Paris and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are mostly known for their art and science programs, respectively, and target students looking to learn in those fields.
PROS
Higher earning potential
Those with college degrees were more likely to be employed and on average, those with bachelor degrees tend to earn 134% more than those without
Networking: colleges often provide networks into specific industries
Personal growth
CONS
High costs
College prices have raised, with the average cost for first-time undergraduate students in 2024-25 going from $11,600 for public four-year universities and $43,350 for private institutions
Student debt
Time commitment: a bachelor’s degree typically takes four-years to complete
Employment
Sometimes, people have jobs already lined up for them and choose to go directly into employment after high school. With rising job availability in fields that don’t require a college degree, more students are opting to go directly into the workforce after high school in fields like trades and manufacturing. College costs are also expensive, and not many students feel like going into debt to pay them.
PROS
Immediate income
Real world experience
Avoiding debt
CONS
Limited career growth: unfortunately, without a college degree, it can be hard to advance in positions.
Lower lifetime earnings: people with only a high school diploma tend to earn significantly less over their lifetime in comparison to college grads.
Hindering in skill development: without a job with skill building opportunities, career development may be halted.
Military
The military offers a road to many careers and is a popular post-high school option. There are different enlistment options in the military. Active Duty is full-time service in either the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard, or Space Force. The National Guard or Reserves is part-time service, giving one time for employment or educational pursuits. Finally, the Delayed Instillment Program allows students to begin the instillment process before graduation. To be eligible for the military, students must have a high school diploma, pass the Armed Service Vocational Aptitude Battery test, be a U.S Citizen or lawful permanent resident, and meet specific health and fitness standards.
PROS
Education benefits: the military provides financial assistance for education through the GI Bill, a program that offers over $40,000 towards college educations, housing, and books
Career opportunities
Skill development
CONS
Physical and mental demands: intense training, potential deployment to conflict zones
Long-term commitment: to be in the military, you are in a contract that is tough to break which forces you to stay for several years
Loss of personal freedom
Graduation is exciting, but it also comes with the task of figuring out what lies ahead in your life. Whether you choose to pursue a higher education, enlist in the military, or take a gap year, each option is bound to provide great opportunities and tough challenges. It’s important to keep in mind that one size doesn’t fit all in this particular situation, and that the possibility of success can be found in any of them. Talk to mentors and adults like Ms. Marquez about your options. After all, like Robert Frost’s poem implies, taking the right road can lead to all the difference in your future.
Noida International University (NIU), established in 2010 and located in Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh, is a private institution recognized by the University Grants Commission (UGC). The university offers a diverse range of programs across 12 schools, including Engineering, Management, Law, Medical, and Social Sciences, catering to students from over 60 nations .Delhi NCR Colleges+2uniRank+2Collegedunia+2Noida International University+1Top Universities+1
Courses and Fees:
NIU provides various undergraduate and postgraduate programs. For instance, the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program requires a minimum of 50% marks in 10+2 and has a full course fee of ₹487,600 . The Master of Business Administration (MBA) programs, including specializations like Marketing, Finance, and HR, have fees ranging from ₹396,700 to ₹700,000, depending on the specialization .
Other university
indira gandhi technical university