18 Opinions | Design by Isabel Aerni
March 5, 2020
PROSPECTIVE PATHWAYS It is okay not to know your plans after graduating high school
JORDAN PRESTIA
you’re not applying your knowledge to your career. If you don’t plan to attend college, trade school is something to look into. rom the moment we enter high Currently, a shortage of people with school, and even before, we are these skills creates a high demand for constantly questioned, “What their specific expertise. Also known as are your plans after graduation?” This technical school, education here rang“NOT HAVING can be overwhelming, especially if you es from several month certificate prodon’t know your plans, let alone what grams to two year associate’s degrees. SOLID PLANS CAN you want to do for the rest of your life. They take much less time to complete Most say it’s a good idea to plan for SEEM RISKY TO than traditional four year universities after graduation before you actually and are more cost friendly. graduate. Although I can understand SOME, BUT IN THE Another option if you need time to their reasoning, I believe in many cassave or make a decision is to take a gap es, not having a solid plan or even a END YOU HAVE SO year or longer after graduating high vague plan is better. school to create your plan. This time One common choice is college, MUCH TIME TO allows you to discover new opportuniwhich is a good path for some, but like jobs, meeting people, traveltempting to attend because it’s acceptFIGURE OUT WHAT ties ing and more. Taking time off school ed or to have something to do after grants you time to decide between all graduation. While college is a solid TO DO.” your new found options. Another benoption, it is very expensive for a lot of efit is a chance to save up money for middle class citizens no matter where sophomore jordan prestia college or other future expenses until you attend. This is why I say if you’re you determine a plan. going to spend up to tens of thousands Not having solid plans or being unof dollars a year, make sure you’re up in a job that doesn’t correspond to decided can seem risky to some, but in ready. Despite the financial aspect, only your degree. The only real benefit to the end you have so much time to fig27% of college graduates have a job this situation is the fact that you at- ure out what to do for sure. This may closely related to their major accord- tended college, which seems useless if be the better option for many students because you can confidently make your choice without feeling forced or rushed into a decision you’re not ready to make. Without a solid plan before graduation, you have time for laying out all your options and choosing the There are many post high school options best one for you, use it wisely.
reporter/photographer
F
ing to a study by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. This shows that many jobs do not require a specific field of study, meaning you may end
evaluating options
college
work military
gap year
