Not sure if studying at a university is right for you? We have got you covered. Learn all about the Cheaper Alternatives to Traditional Higher Education available to you. Get the facts before you make a decision. You will be glad you did.
Cheaper Alternatives to Traditional Higher Education
Cheaper Alternatives to Traditional Higher Education are often overlooked as most students think that they need to get a degree to be successful. While having a degree can be beneficial to you, it’s not your only option after matric.
Start Your Own Business
Consider yourself an entrepreneur? Turn your business idea into something credible by starting your own business. Sometimes all you need is a computer and internet connection to generate your own income.
Take a Gap Year
Making a decision that can impact the rest of your life can be overwhelming. If you don’t know what you would like to do just yet, take a gap year. Be sure to use this time wisely instead of wasting it. Explore the things you are interested in or do some travelling.
Attend a Technical College
Technical colleges specialise in career-focused courses that teach you skills needed for a specific job. You don’t have to take any classes that aren’t related to your career field. This is a great option if you already know what career you want to go into.
Volunteer
You can never go wrong with doing some volunteer work. Not only will you be making a difference in your community, it also builds character. You can gain useful experiences that you wouldn’t usually get from a formal education setting.
Apply for an Internship or Apprenticeship
Internships are a good way to gain work experience after finishing school. It gives you a glance into the working world. It can be either paid or unpaid. Apprenticeships gives you the opportunity to learn a trade in an in-demand field, such as engineering or construction.
Take Online Classes
Online classes give you the flexibility to learn on your own time and at your own pace. Depending on what the college offers, you can choose to either attend classes in person or online. Either way, it’s essential that you do your research before making a decision.
Online Colleges vs Traditional Colleges – Which is Better?
When it comes to choosing a college, the cost involved is often one of the main concerns a student has. Many base their decision on whether or not they can afford the costs associated with a certain college. Are online colleges better, or does traditional win? Find out below.
Online Colleges
Colleges that offer online programmes are typically cheaper than the traditional ones. This is due to a variety of reasons. Online colleges usually have fewer expenses, which allows them to offer lower tuition rates. Students also save on travelling costs.
Traditional Colleges
Traditional colleges or universities often have high tuition fees, especially the more prestigious ones. Sometimes this excludes textbooks and living expenses. This is why most of them offer scholarships or bursaries to students who are gifted but cannot afford to study further.
Is Cheaper Better?
This would depend on the institution or college you choose. While the cost of your qualification should be taken into consideration, the quality of education you get is also important. Before you make any decisions, be sure to check the college’s admission and graduation rates. Also make sure that they are accredited and offer accredited courses.
Should I Study Further or Get a Job?
Studying further after matric is often the go-to option for many students. But what if you can’t afford to or just don’t want to study after high school? Everyone has their own path to follow and many people prefer to work instead of studying. Ultimately, the choice is yours.
Advantages of studying further:
- Better employment and financial opportunities
- Develops self-discipline
- Improves networking and communication skills
- Chance to pursue your passion
Advantages of getting a job:
- Earn money instead of spending it
- Gain work experience
- Become independent
- Explore your future career
Can I do Both?
Distance learning has made it possible for people to study and work at the same time. It has become the most convenient way to get qualified while earning. This may seem like the ideal option, but it doesn’t mean that it will be easy. You need to have great time management and organisational skills to maintain a work-study balance.
Is it Possible to get a job Without a Degree?
The good news is that you don’t always need a degree to get a job. There are many other ways for you to get the job of your choice without having a qualification. Before you start applying, make sure that you have relevant workplace skills. If not, find ways to get them.
Consider Short Courses – You don’t need to study towards a degree to gain useful skills or knowledge. Short courses are a great way to learn stuff in a short amount of time.
Match Your Skills to the Job – Look for jobs that suit the skills you already have. This can be done by looking at the job duties of an advert to see if you have anything in common.
Network – Networking is key to getting an interview when you are applying for jobs without a degree. Make connections with the right people and you could land your dream job.
Stay Positive – A positive attitude and mindset can go a long way. Avoid focusing on your lack of a degree. Instead, highlight your job experiences and explain how it makes you the right fit.
High Paying Jobs That Don’t Require a Degree
Having a degree is often associated with being successful career-wise. Although it does have it’s perks, you don’t need to have a degree to get into a high paying job. Some popular jobs you can explore includes the list below:
- Web Developer
- Digital Marketer
- Real Estate Agent
- HR Manager
- Recruiter
- Flight Attendant
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