COMMENCEMENT: Graduating seniors challenge the norm of attending college directly after high school.
By Malik Alexander, Staff Writer
College for most kids has never been a question of if, but rather, where am I going? Counselors prepare students to attend four-year universities or Riverside City College (RCC) to the point that any deviance from this plan is an oddity. However, not every graduating senior follows this path. Gap years, military, vocational school, or the workforce are just a few of the many alternatives to customary college attendance. With a projected 3.3 million high school graduates, the U.S. finds itself with a handful of millennials choosing where to begin the rest of their lives. The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) found that of the 3.3 million graduates, roughly 66 percent of them will be attending a college or four-year university the following school year. Where does the other 34 percent plan to begin their journey?
The military is a courageous path many of America’s youth take. The military’s appeal to high school graduates to pay for higher education in exchange for military service encourages young adults to enter the armed forces. If this as an option, preparation is a must. The military has many branches, each offering many different jobs or resources; consider what it is that you want to do. From there it is highly recommended to take the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), which in recent years has been offered here at Poly. The test is not only counted as an entrance exam for applicants but also aids in displaying academic strengths and weaknesses.
There are some Poly seniors that have chosen to join the military after high school. Chase Morris (12), has decided to go into the Coast Guard. “I’ve wanted to join the service ever since I was little,” Morris expressed. Morris was unsure of what college could offer him and believes that the military would guide him to find something he is passionate about. This September, Morris will be shipping off to boot camp. “I plan to become an electrical technician specialist,” Morris stated. During his service, he hopes to train to become a fireman and eventually a civilian firefighter after his service. Morris is not alone in his decision, as 23 other graduates will be joining the ranks with him.
Some students find themselves tired of school or seek experience outside the classroom. A gap year, often either a semester or full year taken in between high school and college, is another viable alternative to attending college right after high school. During their break, students partake on many different adventures. Some may backpack through Europe, conduct field research in the Amazon, pray in temples or churches worldwide, or simply take a breather and get a job. Volunteering is a popular activity many embark on. Taking a year allows one to recollect from roughly 13 years of non-stop school, and enter the world through a spiritual, academic, cultural, or vocational experience.
Emily Carter (12) is one of the Poly students who will be taking a break from school and embarking on a gap year. Carter will participate in a program called Thinking Beyond Borders, which allows her to travel across the world and learn about a multitude of different cultures. Carter will travel through Ecuador, Thailand, and Ghana and eventually produce a project that will be presented to Congress and the World Bank. “I’m interested in studying differences between cultures and races, so this was perfect to gain actual experience I can bring back to the classroom,” Carter explained. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” she expressed. For the next seven months, Carter will be traveling the world immersing herself in cultures and learning about agriculture, world economy, education, and world health. After her return, she plans to attend a four-year university in either California or Oregon, continuing studies that she plans to learn on her trip.
Also taking advantage of the gap year, Harlee Gately (12) will be participating in a more spiritual adventure: a mission. Many young adults who are part of a church partake on a journey to gain faith-strengthening experiences. The World Race, a program similar to Carter’s, is a Christian organization that provides programs for young missionaries to learn, educate, and experience life around the globe. “[I] wanted to take a year off to give back to the world and to my religion,” Gately said. As an active, job-holding student, Gately believed her faith took a backseat to her many responsibilities. She feels she has found the perfect opportunity to get back in touch with her faith. For nine months, Gately will be travelling to Thailand, Guatemala, and Malawi, volunteering and embracing the different cultures. “I just hope to come home a different person, impacted by experiences,” Gately expressed. After her spiritual journey, she plans to return home and attend cosmetology school and the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). “I truly feel this is the path God has chosen for me,” Gately noted, not doubting her decision.
Vocational school or direct entry into the workforce is another path high school graduates take. Some particular career goals may not rely on a college degree, but require a specific training or license which can be attained through a trade school. Popular fields may include construction, health, beauty, media, culinary arts, law, or even art. Courses can take far less time than graduating from a four-year university or even a community college; they often range from months to a year. The NCES found that there is a projected 1.3 percent increase in high school graduate vocational school enrollment in the 2016–2017 year. The work force has many jobs and openings in various fields that do not require a degree. Many students find ample opportunities to go straight into the labor force and expand their careers from there.
For high school graduates, going to college isn’t always the best path. Taking a break or even taking completely different routes is okay. It’s absurd to believe we have to go to college; there are plenty of opportunities and livelihoods that don’t need it.