Alternatives to 4-Year Colleges

Students will be able to

• Identify some of the post-high school options available to them 
• Reflect on their individual skills and interests and how they might shape their future 
• Choose a post-high school option(s) to explore in more detail 

Students will be able to

• Explain the commitment they are agreeing to when enlisting in the military
• Understand the requirements they need to meet to enlist in the five branches of the military 
• Identify the various steps needed to enlist in the military, including taking the ASVAB exam and going to a MEPS 
• Understand the benefits of joining an ROTC program

Students will be able to

• Explain what types of career opportunities are available to them through the military and how they compare to civilian occupations 
• Interpret different components of a Leave and Earnings Statement (LES)
• Identify the challenges of transitioning from a military career to a civilian career and steps they can take to make the process easier

Students will be able to

• Identify steps they can take to help them choose a career after high school 
• Explain the importance of considering job qualities that will bring them job satisfaction as they progress in their careers
• Conduct research on occupations they are interested in to learn more about earning potential, required training, career growth outlook, and more 
• Understand the importance of soft skills in the workplace

Students will be able to

• Differentiate between a bachelor degree and an associate degree
• Understand the two types of associate degrees
• Explore possible career paths that require associate degrees

Students will be able to

• Identify the benefits of attending a trade school 
• Discover the variety of career options as a result of graduating from a trade school
• Explore the necessary steps of finding the right trade school program for them

Students will be able to

• Identify the benefits of pursuing on-the-job training experiences, specifically apprenticeships and internships
• Explain the differences between apprenticeships and internships
• Conduct research to find various apprenticeship and internship opportunities

Students will be able to

• Understand the personal, social, and academic benefits of taking a gap year
• Identify important questions to consider when planning a gap year
• Explain how a gap year experience can fit in their resume

Students will be able to

• Reflect on what they’ve learned about the path(s) they might want to pursue after high school 
• Set a goal for where they would like to be one year after graduating high school for a path they might pursue 
• Create a timeline of steps they will need to take to reach their goal