It is officially that time of year. Senior one-on-one meetings, FAFSA applications and personal insight questions headline a time of uncertainty for many senior students concerned for their future. Though a college degree is most often viewed as the next step after high school, there are various alternatives that equip students with a valuable skill and provide exposure to new parts of the world. 

Finances is often the first major students consider when deciding their path beyond high school. With four-year universities becoming a more and more expensive investment, rising 20 percent in the last five years, other opportunities present themselves as cheaper alternatives.

Taking to the trades has become an increasingly popular choice for students looking to avoid debt and obtain a stable income early in their 20s. Possible trades to venture into could be anything from welding to cosmetology. The time it takes to learn and master these skills varies by occupation, but education for most fields can be completed in under a year. Trade school’s demographic aligns with those willing to work hard and take criticism well in a hands-on environment.

An interesting note about trade schools is that they have an average dropout rate of under two percent, as opposed to 40% in traditional universities. The workload is completely centered upon the desired career path, without the inclusion of general education courses that students tend to be less interested in. The shorter duration of required courses also contributes to the staggeringly low dropout rate.

Fresno Christian alumnus Marcus James chose the trades right out of high school after graduating from Buchanan High School in 2020. Graduating from Northwest Lineman College in Meridian, Idaho, he felt that the learning environment was more likely to bring him success rather than that of a college.

“I think what made me go down the road of trade school instead of traditional college was that my mind needed stimulation through progressive learning,” James said. “I needed to know that what I’m learning is going to directly impact my ability to perform in my job.”

Academic Counselor Evangelina Escovedo works with each and every senior to ensure that they pursue the career path that is right for them. She values trade school as a great opportunity to save money and learn a profitable skill, with many different possibilities for trades here in the Fresno/Clovis area. 

“For students who are either looking to save money or stay local, trade school can be a great opportunity, especially because of the vast number of opportunities for students here in Fresno County,” Escovedo said. “The Institute of Technology has a variety of programs for students looking to go into something such as dental or medical, for example.”

For students looking for international experience and enrollment in a program that improves their walk with God, Hume Lake’s Joshua Wilderness Retreat offers a unique path. In a nine month discipleship program, students are met with a variety of opportunities to focus on God’s word and even go on five different trips; three within the United States and two international.

Student Liaison James Garcia was previously involved with Hume Lake before coming to Fresno Christian, and agrees that the program is beneficial to students who want to travel.

“It’s a great opportunity for students to go on trips,” Garcia said. “There are two international ones. They have a chance to go to Israel, and they also go to the Dominican Republic.”

During the annual senior retreat, FC students were informed about the program and the opportunity it provides to enter adulthood in a Christ-centered environment, immediately sparking interest among the class of 2025.

Studying abroad is an endeavor that offers a unique experience for students. In an abroad program, new skills can be learned while immersing students in an entirely different culture. As appealing as that may sound, international study programs are usually not a number one choice financially for most students just graduating high school. It is hard to deny the impact an experience in a new country can have on a young person.

FC Alumna Hannah Villines worked diligently to gather enough money to go on a one-year journey through the beautiful scenery of Europe, starting in Cinque Terre, Italy. She felt that the language barrier was the most difficult thing to adjust to when traveling abroad for the first time.

“The biggest cultural difference I experienced while studying in Italy was definitely the language barrier,” Villines said. “Even though I had taken some Italian classes, it was still challenging to communicate, especially in more complex situations.” 

Hannah’s mother, FC cheer coach and student liaison Hope Villines, supported her beloved daughter’s decision to explore Europe during her college career.

“I had so many mixed emotions,” Villines said. “I was so happy for her that she was able to live her best life studying abroad at a university in another country, but it was really hard to have her away that long.”

The build-up to spending an extended period of time in a foreign country is full of excitement and anticipation. Europe is the most popular choice for U.S. students traveling abroad, with 73% of students choosing to study there.

Meilani Gilmore Young graduated from FCS last year and is a current history major at Point Loma Nazarene University. She chose her four-year university because of the diverse array of study abroad opportunities. With her dream destination of study being the beautiful country of Scotland, she could not be more enthused about the opportunity. 

“Scotland has been on my bucket list for a while,” Gilmore Young said. “I am also part Scottish, so I’m excited to learn more about my heritage and the culture there.”

Despite the trends of trade school and international education, there are still a large number of seniors looking to enroll in a four-year university after graduating. Senior Nathan Bridges, who has already been accepted into Ole Miss and Arizona State University, prefers the possibilities that are found in a traditional college.

“For me personally, the experiences found at a four-year university are something that I want to take advantage of,” Bridges said. “I also feel like community college is a continuation of high school.”

A diverse array of paths are shaping up for students after high school, with alternatives becoming more and more popular with each passing year. Students broadening their horizons to different options will lead to a future generation that is well-equipped and well-experienced.

For more information on opportunities after high school read Fresno Christian Schools College Fair.

For more from The Feather visit Senior King Candidates or Honor Flight: Veteran Richard Ruiz.