There are many different types of colleges and postsecondary schools today, giving you many options when deciding on what your future will hold – university, career college, trade school, and more. And as we discussed in a recent article, postsecondary education is a great way to pave your career path. It can lead to increased salary potential, less chance of unemployment, not to mention, greater job prospects overall. While college is a great choice for many individuals, it is important to remember that it is not one-size-fits-all.
Someone interested in a welding career, for example, may not need a university level education. A person who desires a flexible, fast-paced degree may not be right in a four-year liberal arts program. Perhaps that is why you are here. You may be considering a trade school education to help launch your career fast. Yet, maybe you are concerned that a trade school will place limitations on the types of careers you can pursue, or how much career growth you can accomplish. Maybe you aren’t sure if your dream job is on the typical trade school career list at all. If not, what other flexible educational paths are available to you?
You are right in thinking that trade schools, in general, offer a limited list of career outcomes. Trade schools are specially designed to prepare students for very specific, skill-based jobs – jobs that require detailed knowledge and technique in a given field. Trade schools do not offer general education courses, such as basic math or communication, in their programs. Rather, trade schools provide career-focused training and, upon graduation, certification in one particular area of study.
Those who choose to go to a trade school for college know exactly what they want to do, or what field they want to get into. For example, someone who knows they are interested in cars can go to a trade school to earn certification in auto body or auto mechanics and repair. Someone interested in becoming an electrician can also benefit from diving into trade school. But for those who are unsure which career they ultimately want to pursue, or who want an education that is versatile and applicable to multiple careers, a trade school may not be the right fit. Again, the trade school careers list is very specific.
While programs vary school to school, trade schools generally promote the following career outcomes:
Skilled Trade School Careers List
- Auto Mechanic
- Welder
- Electrician
- Mason
- HVAC Technician
- Plumber
- Carpenter
- Truck Driver
- Geological and Petroleum Technician
- Wind and Energy Technician
- Landscape Designer
- Construction Manager
- Elevator Installer/Repairer
Health-Related Trade School Careers
- Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
- Radiation Therapist
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA)
- Medical Assistant
- Emergency Medical Technician (EMT)
- Medical Transcriptionist
- Pharmacy Technician
- Massage Therapist
Other Trade School Careers
- Computer Technician
- Web Designer
- Culinary Arts (Chef)
- Security Guard
It is important to contact the trade school you are considering, to understand their full career list. However, if you are having any hesitations about trade school as a whole, you may want to consider your other options, as well. There are other flexible, fast-paced, career-focused educational paths that don’t take four years to complete.
Goodwin College, for example, is a career-focused college in Connecticut that embraces the career-driven nature of trade and vocational schools. The difference is, in addition to the industry-specific skills taught in our training programs, Goodwin also provides students with valuable, versatile skills that can be applied to many different careers – critical thinking, ethics, leadership, and more. Career-focused colleges provide a comprehensive educational experience that combines general studies with specialized, career-focused classes, which is what makes them unique.
Career-focused colleges also offer associate and bachelor degrees, in addition to certificate programs. For those in fields that may require a college degree down the road, this is a great option. Nursing is a great example. You may be considering a trade school to gain a quick foothold in the field through a Certified Nursing Assistant program, or Licensed Practical Nursing diploma. However, to become a Registered Nurse – one of the most desired and in-demand healthcare jobs today – you will need a college degree, which trade schools typically do not offer. For job growth in nursing, many employers now require a bachelor’s degree in nursing (BSN).
If you are unsure of exactly the career path you want to take, or if you want to expand your skills beyond the basic industry techniques, you might consider a career-focused college. In addition to skills-based learning, you will also benefit from hands-on experience, in-field training, thoughtful, customized educational coursework, a flexible schedule, and a lifetime of career placement services.
Below, we breakdown a list of some of the many careers you can obtain through Goodwin College, that may not be available at your typical trade school.
Healthcare Related Career Outcomes
- Registered Nurse
- Community Health Nurse
- Home Health Nurse
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Dental Hygienist
- Nursing Supervisor
- Nurse Manager
- Hospice Nurse
- Funeral Service Director
- Mortician
- Embalmer
- Histologist
- Phlebotomist
- Certified Medical Assistant
- Medical Biller & Coder
- Health Educator
- Health Promotion Specialist
- Respiratory Therapist
- Optician
- First Responder
- Community Health Worker
Education Related Career Outcomes
- Child Advocate
- Infant, Toddler, and Preschool Teacher
- Child Specialist with the Department of Children & Families (DCF)
- Early Childhood Director
- Family Resource Worker
- School Readiness Assistant Teacher
- Public Health Educator
- Education Administrator
- Education Coordinator
- Child Development Specialist
- Community Health Education Coordinator
Manufacturing Career Outcomes
- CNC Machinist or Operator
- Manufacturing Manager
- First-Line Supervisor
- Logistician
- Maintenance Supervisor
- Production Controller
- Production Planner
- Purchasing Agent
- Quality Manager
- Safety Supervisor
- Shipping & Receiving Supervisor
- Welder
Social and Criminal Justice Careers
- Corrections Officer
- DEA Agent
- Customs and Border Control Officer
- Private Agent
- Cyber Crime Investigator
- Transportation Security Administrator
- Case Manager
- Probation Officer
- Public Safety Officer
- School Security Officer
- Corrections Counselor
- Community Outreach Worker
- Human Services Counselor
- Crisis Advocate
- Mental Health Associate
- Rehabilitation Specialist
- Youth Worker
- Job Coach
Business Career Outcomes
- Business or Organizational Manager
- Accounting Assistant
- Bookkeeper
- Payroll Professional
- Business Administrator
- Human Resources Administrator
With a wide variety of career paths, certificates, and degree programs available, Goodwin College also offers students varying scheduling options. Students who are working full-time can choose to take their program in a part-time format. For those students who want to get the coursework done quickly, full-time and accelerated formats may also be available. An added benefit is that Goodwin offers an extra, third academic session each year for faster degree completion. With this, students have the potential to earn a bachelor’s degree in as little as three years. Many programs are also offered online, or in a hybrid, on-campus, online format.
Find out if a career-focused college like Goodwin in Connecticut is right for you. Request more information online or call 800-889-3282 to learn more.
Goodwin University is a nonprofit institution of higher education and is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), formerly known as the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Goodwin University was founded in 1999, with the goal of serving a diverse student population with career-focused degree programs that lead to strong employment outcomes.