For a long time, the traditional college experience was advertised as the primary way to find a career. Once you graduate high school, you will choose a college and a major, complete your degree, and be well-set up for your desired career path. Unfortunately, this strategy is not always effective, nor is it the only way to choose your professional future.
Whether you are a young student in the state of Michigan who is starting to think about the future or a professional who has been in the workforce for 25 years, not all paths to a career look the same. Now more than ever, those other pathways are becoming more common, especially with the current student debt crisis becoming a real barrier to college affordability.
No matter what stage of life you are in, it is important to understand what your options are for carving out a lasting career path. The world looks different today than it did even twenty years ago, so your strategy to enter the workforce must adapt to new circumstances. Let’s dive into some of the pathways you could follow to find the right career in the state of Michigan.
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4-Year Degree
First, let’s talk about the most advertised route to a career. There are certainly merits to this traditional path despite the flaws that can make it a challenge. Many four-year schools offer degrees in various subjects that students can pursue. Depending on the amount of college credits potentially earned in high school, a first-year student may be able to jump right into their major or they might have to take some general education courses in the first few semesters.
A four-year degree, often referred to as a Bachelor’s degree, is often a requirement for entry-level jobs. It is important that students choose a degree in a discipline they are committed to and have a high rate of employment. For example, computer science, accounting, and business degrees have some of the highest payoff rates. Students who pursue a four-year degree should also understand the keys to success in college so they can get the most out of the experience for their professional endeavors.
Master’s Degree and Beyond
Some disciplines require even more schooling before you can find a job. Often, these are the higher-paying careers that will make enough money to help you pay back all those student loans. Some careers that require extensive schooling, typically beyond the four-year degree, include physicians, surgeons, veterinarians, postsecondary teachers, astronomers, political scientists, and mathematicians.
There are plenty of other roles that would require a Master’s degree or more, some of which may only require two additional years of schooling while others could take as long as six or eight more years after a Bachelor’s degree. Anyone who pursues this pathway should feel very confident about their chosen career before committing to this level of education.
Trade School
This route to a career has become more popular as the student debt crisis has grown. Trade schools operate very differently from other colleges and universities because they focus only on the chosen discipline of the students. That means you would spend all your time learning and applying your knowledge about the specific career you want. No general education courses to take up your time. Trade school also offers more practical experience than most college and university programs.
Once you have completed your trade school training, there may be other licenses or certifications required before you can start working as an independent contractor or for a firm. For example, to become an electrician in this state, you should probably consider taking Michigan electrical license test prep courses to ensure you can pass the state exam for your license.
Working Your Way Up
The moment you can legally work for an employer in Michigan is the moment you can start your journey toward a long-term career. Perhaps you are more interested in working your way up within a company through hard work and dedication to your role. This is an excellent strategy for anyone ambitious enough and loyal enough to stick around at one company.
Maybe you start working at a country club as a teenager for a few years serving members who come to play golf. Eventually, they let you run the pro shop for short stints. Maybe you are hired in a managerial position a few years after that. The longer you work there, the more experience you gain, making you an attractive inside hire. If you have enough experience, you could even seek out employment at another similar company, whether you have a college degree or not.
Finding a Career is Not a One-Size-Fits-All Process
As you figure out your professional aspirations in the state of Michigan, always remember that your journey does not have to look the same as everyone else’s. You could find a career by going to college and getting a specific degree or you could start at an entry-level position and work your way up to become a manager. The key to a long and successful career is finding something that you enjoy.
