MILITARY? TRADE SCHOOL OR COLLEGE? WHICH IS BETTER? by J Loren Norris

MILITARY? TRADE SCHOOL OR COLLEGE? WHICH IS BETTER?

I obviously cannot tell you what to do with your life. Nor would I ever, even if I had the “right to do so” because the ability and responsibility to choose is precisely the point of this lesson.

MILITARY
I experienced things on active duty, during the first gulf war, which changed the person I am today. Military service was my first real encounter with structure, leadership, authority, and critical decision making. I was just over 20 when I was handed an m-16 and entrusted with the life of thousands of other soldiers as a Fire Crash Rescue Specialist. I was trained and trusted with fire fighting apparatus valued in the millions. The amount of growing up which was expected and the amount of trust extended impacted my personhood and decision making for a lifetime.

TRADE SCHOOL
Trade school was where I started after high school. Robotics at ITT Technical Institute was going to be my path and plan. The school was close to home. The training was brief and the jobs after school paid really well. Then a break up with my high school sweetheart crushed my will and redirected my attention and intention to escape. Soon I was off to basic training, then on to travel the world. For many people who know what they want to do for a career and who want to get busy earning sooner, trade schools are a great, affordable solution. Trade schools significantly increase earning power, limit student loan debt and shorten the timeline to starting a job in the field of your greatest interest.

COLLEGE
Let’s be honest, many people who go to college immediately after high school, search first for the party school, next for the career track they wish to pursue and finally for the educational or academic excellence they hope to experience. The idea of a college degree is of tremendous value. In certain circles you cannot even be considered for a position without one. When I came out of the military with more than four years of training and service as an active duty fire fighter, many cities still expected a four year college degree. They didn't care if my degree was in baking pastries or banking or politics, but my experience as a fire fighter was not enough without the degree. This is mind boggling to me.

There are other circles where it’s not enough to just HAVE A DEGREE, it must also be from a certain university and with a specific minimum GPA. Most college students who are looking to get a degree aren’t that focused until year three, by which time it may be too late to meet these expectations. Also, the idea that “any ol’ degree is better than no degree” has caused many people to be $200,000 in debt, with four years of useless learning behind them and a degree which will never serve them in wisdom or income.

​My wife has a degree in Psychology which she has only applied to parenting, training me, and living life yet has never professionally worked in the field. My oldest daughter is an RN. She has significant college and medical training behind her and likely more to come. My youngest daughter and her husband are entrepreneurs always innovating, blending learning with skills and talents to maximize earnings. My sons are participating in a working trade school to be auto mechanics, working full time in a repair shop and getting paid to learn a skill which will one day pay them $30-$50/ hour or lead to them owning their own business.

Ultimately, the decision is yours. Its your right to decide and its your responsibility to decide. It is not a decision to be made lightly. Your career, your income, your future home geography, the type of family you raise will all be directly impacted by the decisions you make in high school and shortly after. If you are having a hard time choosing ASK A MENTOR!!

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