Students our age are bombarded with questions. What do you want to do with your life? Where do you want to go to college? What do you want to major in? What is your dream job? It is as if we are supposed to have our whole lives mapped out by our freshman year of high school. It is frustrating and unrealistic. Furthermore, many adults assume that college is the only avenue to pursue without even taking into consideration the many jobs and careers that can be acquired without your stereotypical college education. 

My use of the words stereotypical education can be defined as going to a 4 year college such as Purdue, IU, or other state colleges. Community colleges, such as Ivy Tech, would not be included in the stereotypical education, and will be what I’m talking about in this article.

Going to a smaller college, such as Ivy Tech in Lafayette, only costs about $5,000, while Purdue would cost nearly $20,000 for tuition, room and board, and an Ivy League such as Yale costs nearly $55,000 for tuition alone. While Purdue does have a good engineering program, community colleges are also good when it comes to the STEM-based classes. The main difference there, besides the reputation, is the affordability. As previously stated, community colleges are a lot more affordable than others. 

Community colleges also allow for smaller class sizes, aiding students in receiving more personalized attention than other schools may allow. Let’s face it, some students struggle in school. Many aspects of high school can be challenging, and the even higher expectations of college can be overwhelming. Some students are left feeling confused, pressured, and stressed. Going to a community college, even if only for the general classes, could help them ease into the world of advanced knowledge. Community colleges are undeservedly stigmatized and should be considered an excellent option in furthering one’s education.

Just like a four year college isn’t for everyone, community colleges aren’t for everyone either. Pursuing a post-secondary education is not always necessary at all. Technical schools and trade schools are becoming popular options for young people looking to develop a specific skill. That is what’s important – developing a skill that you enjoy and that is marketable. Decide what you want to do and then figure out the best way to become qualified to do it. The road to becoming employed looks different for everyone. Just do what works best for you.