Chapter 28: Post Secondary Career and Technical Education Students’ Career Development

Approximately 9,400 postsecondary institutions offer career and technical programs. Institutions offering such programs include community colleges, technical institutes, skill and career centers, and other public and private two-year and four-year colleges. Career and technical institutions offer students an opportunity to increase workforce prospects through a shorter and more practically-focused education. Most individuals enter a four-year college thinking it will amount to a better chance in the job market. Teens and parents often maintain that a college degree is the ticket to a college-level job. However, this may not necessarily prove to be true. The reality is that at least one in three four-year college graduates will take a job that he or she could have obtained directly out of high school (Gray, 1999). Despite the perceived notion of college equaling job success, students need to consider other methods of obtaining education and securing employment. This is especially true for students who overlook the opportunities provided by career and technical education. Counselors can be important resources for those seeking clarification in the career exploration/decision-making process. All counselors should be knowledgeable and aware of each of the postsecondary options that are available for students graduating from high school.