Life After High School

•On-the-job

•Trade School

•Apprenticeship

•Military

•Community College

•4-year College/University

What is available?

• Description:• Training provided by the company that hired

you• Focus on procedures and policies

• Timeframe:• 2 weeks- 6 months

• Admission:• Must be hired by company• Graduate for full-time employment

On-the- Job

Trade School Description:

• Focuses on training for specific careers

• All course work is directly related to work

• Many hands-on experiences

Timeframe:• 2 weeks to 2 years

Admission:• High school diploma• Credits do not

transfer• Can be expensive

Examples:• La James• Le Cordon-Bleu

Apprenticeship Description

• Cooperation between employees, students, and unions

• Combination of classroom work and on-the-job training

• Paid as you learn

Timeframe:• 1 year to 6 years

Admission:• 18 years old• Related course work• High school diploma• Application and

Interview

Examples:• Carpenter• Plumber• HVACElectrician

Military Description:

• Service to the country and opportunity to learn a trade

• Enter as an enlisted or officer training

• Job skills transfer to civilian life

Timeframe:• 2-6 years

Admission:• ASVAB test• Officers- ROTC or

college degrees• Signing commitment

Examples:• Navy• Army• Marines• Air Force• Coast Guard

Community College Description:

• A school that caters to many types of students

• Provides certificate programs and degree programs

• Classes relate specifically to career (some require general courses)

Timeframe:• 6 months- 2 years

Admission:• Placement test• High school diploma

Examples:• Kirkwood• Hawkeye• Marshalltown• DMACC

4-year College/University Description:

• Broad education in a variety of topics including career

• Seek out academically prepared students

• Most selective option

Timeframe:• 4-5 years• More for advanced

degrees

Admission:• ACT/SAT test• Good grades• Appropriate course

work• High School Diploma

Examples:• Iowa, UNI, Iowa State• Coe• Mt. Mercy

Beyond College: Master’s /Graduate Degree Doctorate/ PhD. Professional Degree MD, DDS

Master’s Degree Description

• Continuation of Undergraduate studies, but more specific on topic/major.

Timeline• 1-3 years past 4

year degree

Admission• Graduate from a

Bachelor’s program• Entrance Exam

Examples• UNI• Iowa• Iowa State

Doctorate Degree (Ph.D) Description

• Continuation of Undergraduate studies, but more specific on topic/major.

Timeline• 2-5 years past 4

year degree.

Admission• Graduate from a

Bachelor’s program• Entrance Exam

Examples• UNI• Iowa• Iowa State

Professional Degree Description

• Designed to be very specific in career fields

• Includes classroom time and clinical or residential time

• Examples: Doctor, Lawyer, Pharmacist

Timeline• 4-8 years past

undergraduate degree

Admission• Graduate from a

Bachelor’s program• Entrance Exam

Examples• UNI• Iowa• Iowa State