Choose a Technical Education in Houston

Choose a Technical Education in Houston

Seniors graduating from Houston High Schools are faced with a barrage of options. Jobs, college, technical school, the military and service work are just a few of the multitude of choices young adults face. While more and more people are choosing to attend college, the Bureau of Labor Statistics says there is a vast shortage of skilled laborers in the United States. For that reason, students who are more comfortable with machinery than books may want to consider choosing one of the technical schools in Houston.

College Isn’t for Everyone

While college is a great option for some people, it’s not a “one size fits all” strategy for everyone. First of all, four year colleges can be extremely expensive. Tuition, room, board, books and living expenses can leave students with literally hundreds of thousands of dollars of debt upon graduation. Not all Houston residents can afford that.

In a traditional, four-year college, students are required to choose a major focus of study, but that major only makes up half of the credits required for graduation. Students must also take a variety of classes in a variety of subject matters that often don’t directly relate to that individual’s interests and career goals. To some, these general education requirements may seem like a waste of time and money.

Tech Schools in Texas

On the other hand, tech schools in Texas allow students to focus on one area of work and study. They spend all of their classroom and lab time learning the skills that are required to do the job that they intend to do upon graduation. Some extra math and science may be required, but generally, all classes have a direct relationship to the program the student is pursuing.

This direct focus means that students can complete technical schools in Houston much more quickly than they can a four year degree. Programs range anywhere from three months to two years, depending on the type of program the student is pursuing. Most tech schools offer hands on experience in lab or shop settings and many provide students the opportunity to work alongside professionals in internships, externships or apprenticeships.

Houston Students who know that college isn’t a good fit and who prefer working with their hands, may wish to look into a technical education. There are a variety of schools and programs to choose from and they can lead to a rewarding, lifelong career.