Top Alternatives to College

What to do if college isn't for you? It's a question worth asking because going to college isn’t the right path for everyone. Good news: You can find job training and forge a successful career without attending a traditional four-year university by pursuing one of a number of alternatives to college.

There are plenty of reasons why you might want to skip the traditional college route. Maybe you've heard about the outrageous student debt problems we have in America. Or maybe you don't quite know what you want to do with your life and so spending your time (and, again, money) in a four-year program doesn't seem all that wise. Or maybe the career path you want to take doesn't even require you to go to college.

Here are eight alternatives to college after high school if you don’t want to study a for your bachelor’s degree but still want to set yourself up for future success.

Alternatives to College

1. Attend community college
2. Go to a trade school
3. Get a fellowship or apprenticeship
4. Join the military
5. Volunteer
6. Take a gap year
7. Monetize a hobby
8. Get a job

1. Attend Community College

If you want to get a secondary education but don’t want to shell out big bucks for a bachelor’s degree, consider getting an associate’s degree from a local community college. These programs usually take only two years, and associate’s degree jobs can fetch six-figure salaries. Air traffic controllers, for instance, require only an associate’s degree and training from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) academy, and they earn a median wage of $54,616 per year, according to Monster data.

2. Go to a Trade School

Not interested in becoming a part of the suit-and-tie crowd? Blue-collar jobs are great alternatives to college. Attend trade school to become an electrician, plumber, HVAC technician, transportation inspector, or other occupation. Most trade school programs can be completed in a less than a year, allowing you to get your career off the ground pretty quickly.

3. Get a Fellowship or Apprenticeship

Fellowships and apprenticeships let you get real-world experience in a trade while getting paid for your time. These programs can kick-start your career—or at least give you a taste of what it’s like to work a particular occupation. Two resources that are at your disposal are the U.S. Department of Labor’s apprenticeship site, which compiles hundreds of apprenticeships nationwide for a range of professions, and ProFellow.com, a database that lists more than 1,300 fellowships globally.

4. Join the Military

According to Military.com, 180,000 young Americans enlist for active duty service each year. Enlisting in the armed forces just requires having a high school diploma (or GED) and passing a physical examination. Moreover, there’s a wide range of career fields within the military, including lesser-known jobs in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM); finance; hospitality; and marketing within the five branches of the U.S. military: the Air Force, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, and Navy.

5. Volunteer

Giving your time and energy to help others also helps you gain new skills and build a resume. And while you’re volunteering, you may very well discover that you possess hidden talents. There’s no shortage of volunteer job listings on Monster.

6. Take a Gap Year

Though taking a gap year isn't among the more popular alternatives to college in America, the reverse is true overseas. Believe it or not, taking time off before entering the workforce can make you a more attractive job candidate by allowing you to gain valuable life experiences, travel the world, and experience other cultures. Proof: Research from the American Gap Association, a nonprofit organization researching the benefits of gap years, shows the majority of gap year participants found taking time off helped them acquire skills to be successful in their career, impacted their career decision, and ultimately helped them find a job.

7. Monetize a Hobby

If you have a special talent, there’s nothing stopping you from turning your hobby into a full-time moneymaking job. This is a popular alternative to college for creative minds like writers, photographers, artists, and musicians. Depending on what your passion is, you may be able to start your own business.

8. Get a Job

A number of occupations don’t require a college degree—many of these jobs pay rather well, especially considering that you don’t have to spend a dime on a college education. For example, you can start working as a physical trainer, loan officer, or insurance sales agent right after your graduate high school.

The Workforce Awaits

There are plenty of alternatives to college, but you do need to put your wheels in motion sooner rather than later, especially if you want to join the workforce. Need some help? Make a profile on Monster for free today. You can sign up for job alerts that interest you, get hooked up with recruiters, and much more. Go ahead and get a great job without a four-year degree under your belt.