Alternative Post-High School Pathways

Ulises Ruiz Lopez staff writer

In today's world, the traditional route of attending a two or four-year college right after high school is no longer the only pathway to success. The choice of deciding what to do after high school is a pretty big deal. Every year, many seniors around the globe struggle to figure out what the next step is. For some, the college path is the way to go, but deciding what college to go to is a very difficult decision. Some people value different aspects of college like athletics, social life, or academics. But also included is the financial struggle to keep up with attending college. We often forget that learning can take various forms, and success can be achieved through many different ways.

For example, the military provides a structured and disciplined environment that instills valuable skills, leadership qualities, and a sense of

Statement of Retraction

Article Title: Softball Dominates So Far

Writer: Jyce Jones

Publication: The Talisman camaraderie. Students out of high school can explore various branches of the military, such as the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard. Ninth grade transition coordinator Jackie Owens said, “When you go into the military, you can usually choose a MOS (Military Occupational Specialties): you can be in electronics or technology or a medic. Always keep your future career in mind.”

Other paths students can consider are taking a gap year, taking time off before college to travel, engage in community service, or pursuing personal projects which can provide valuable life experiences and personal growth. Gap years allow students to gain a broader understanding of the world, discover their passions, and develop a sense of independence before embarking on their academic journey. Junior Anica Smith stated, “I like the idea of taking a gap year after high school; it can give me more time to focus on myself and not worry about the financial and emotional struggle college can do at the moment.”

Smith is debating whether she’ll take a gap year or go to college after high school: “I’m keeping my options open; I just have to wait until I graduate and see what the future holds.”

Culinary school is a great path for those who have a passion for making food. The culinary world offers an array of opportunities for those with a passion for food and drive to turn their culinary dreams into reality. Many colleges offer four-year degrees, providing chefs and food enthusiasts with immersive and hands-on experiences, though some may start off working in a kitchen without formal education. Junior Michael Urias finds the culinary path very interesting after high school, “Culinary has always been intriguing for me. I watch cooking shows on Netflix, and it has caught my attention even more.” Urias is a football player and has plans to go to college for football after high school, but he may take some cooking classes in between, so he can stay connected with culinary: “Cooking has always been a thought of mine; I might just take up some cooking classes to see how good of a cook I can be.”

Alternative paths to college offer diverse opportunities for individuals to pursue education and career success that can help gain skills and real-world experience that align with their passions and goals. These alternative paths can provide a more flexible path to personal and professional growth.

Bibiliometrics: volume 60, issue 5, May 4, 2023

We, the Editorial Board of The Talisman, retract the following quote of copy because it is not accurate in its attribution to the source referenced:

“My personal softball goals include increasing my batting average while also improving my role in a team aspect.”

Additionally, the other source quotations in the article may have been fabricated.