Choosing the right type of college is the first step towards beginning an academic path that will lead to a rewarding career. However, when a person first begins to explore the types of schools that are available, it can be hard to narrow them down to the right one that will help them to achieve their academic goals. When selecting a school, it is important for a person to have an idea of the type of career that they would like to begin after graduation. 

Additionally, they should take into consideration the length of time that they would like to go to school, as well as their respective learning styles. To help make the process easier, the following types of schools are listed along with the characteristics that make their degree programs unique:

College or University 

When they are first exploring schools, many people must decide if they want to go to a college or university. Because these names are often used interchangeably, this can be confusing. Most colleges offer only two-year or associate degrees that can be used to learn the skills necessary for an entry-level career. Many of these schools also offer technical degrees and certificate degrees that are designed specifically for a particular degree path.

Universities offer both two-year and four-year degrees with the option of pursuing advanced coursework post-graduation. Many people find that starting at the college level can be convenient as most of their credit will be transferrable if they choose to further their education at a university.

Trade School or Art School 

When a person has already settled upon a specific career, a trade or art school can often be the perfect fit for their goals. Trade schools offer hands-on courses that are designed to teach a specific skill, such as massage. Art schools also offer interactive courses. However, their degree programs focus on the creative arts such as writing and painting. When searching for an art or trade school, it is important to compare schools through services.

If you’re interested in a more non-traditional trade, such as massage therapy, do your research on industry focused sites like www.massageschool.org in order to determine which ones offer features such as accreditation and financial aid. This can make narrowing down choices a much simpler process.

Online or Traditional

Online schools are becoming more popular for students as their flexible programs offer students a way to further their education while continuing to keep their jobs. However, online classes are not always the best way to learn new skills. Traditional schools offer on-campus classes that enable students to learn hands-on techniques while working with other students and their professor. While online schools can be a great way to earn a psychology or English degree, traditional schools are more beneficial for students who learn best through interactive experiences.

Knowing the differences between the types of school is important for being able to narrow them down in order to make a decision. However, a prospective student should also take into consideration how they learn and their personal career goals in order to compare schools that offer degree programs in their chosen profession.

This was a guest post for TheEmployable