One of the dark secrets when looking into colleges and universities is trade schools. Trade schools are one of many things not explained throughout the madness of senior year. Trade schools are “programs that typically last between two and four years,” according to Learn.org. The programs typically always focus on specific jobs or skills required for a field, so when going in, many should be sure in what they want to do. Some specific fields covered by trade schools are culinary arts, healthcare, film-making, and engineering. Unlike the “typical college experience”  like CCSU or UCONN, you can take a gap year and not feel lost as this option gives you the flexibility you need. The only attendance requirement to attend trade school is a high school diploma (a smile 🙂 and the will to do it).

There are many more benefits of going to a trade school besides only having to take the program for two years instead of four. One of the bigger benefits is that the expense is much smaller, it costs about 5,000-6,000 less than your average university or college. Trade schools will prepare you with essential skills and hard on training in order to prepare you for the future, you’re basically guaranteed a job right away since many jobs value the hands on experience. Trade schools includes hands on training, which is very helpful when it comes to filling out the “experience” or “skills” part of your job applications. You’re assisted with resume composition, networking skills, and interview skills. You’ll have no “frills” just direct training for employable skills, helping you receive a more adult oriented learning experience. There is no application deadline and classes start every ten weeks!

The cons include that when entering a trade school for a specific field there’s more room for the feeling of being stuck to occur, as it seems to not be what you really want to do. Many also find that like the traditional four year college, they are not guaranteed with a job but that’s a risk you take wherever you go.Another con may include that some options for trade school might be a little more expensive than the standard four year option, but on average its usually no more than $33,000 for the whole experience. College Board estimated that a normal four year college is $9,410 per year costing about $37,640 total. On the Porter and Chester website based on the net pay calculator, it cost $32,300 in total making it a low-cost option and who doesn’t like to save money.

We interviewed Daynesa Rivera, a former student at Porter and Chester ( a trade school in Rocky Hill), and she had a lot to say about her experience. When asked why she chose a trade school, she responded “I’m extremely busy” and the “schedule works for me”. Daynesa explained that she is a mother of three ranging from the ages; 20,17 and 15. She explains that her children are very much still dependent on her and she needed the flexibility to get home and see them. We asked how was trade school  different from the traditional option and she constantly came back to the idea that “the cost is less which is great when you have 3 other mouths to feed.” Daynesa tells us that she recommends graduates to look into trade school and maybe attend.

Overall, trade schools are a good option for people looking for a more speedier and adult oriented experience. You may not be guaranteed a job the minute you graduate from a trade school, but your chances are definitely higher and you’ll be better off in the future, having been lucky enough to have received a more hands on kind of learning.