Are Career-Training Schools Right for You?

by Alex A. Kecskes

If you expect to land a job in this economy with a degree in “Social & Gender Studies” or “Medieval Literature,” you'll have a tough time. In fact, most liberal arts majors are finding it hard to trade in their BA sheepskin for a paycheck. Which explains why career-training schools and vocational schools are popping up everywhere.

These career colleges are growing in popularity because they concentrate more on learning a specific skill that often leads directly to gainful employment. Many are reputable and teach you the skills required to get a job; others are simply in it for the money. So how do you separate the good from the bad? A few tips:

Talk to students and/or recent grads. If you know someone who's already working in the field you wish to pursue, ask their opinion about the school. Contact a few people in the HR departments of companies you may subsequently wish to apply to and ask them about the school. Have they hired the school's grads? Any private school grads? If so, which school?

Is the school connected with industry? Make sure the school's curriculum is up to date with the latest technology and trends. This is often the big pitch these schools lay on you—"We have the latest and greatest technology and instructors who are fresh from the industry." Ask to talk to an instructor. See if that's true.

Shop around. Private trade schools are typically far more expensive than public schools. Keep in mind that many community colleges offer similar trade/technical programs for far less money. That said, you should compare the cost of the private school's program to the added value they provide. Finally, make sure the school is fully accredited—check out this list of Government Accrediting Agencies.

To get an idea of what this type of education offers, check out this video on Career Colleges.

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