Today, the trades encompass manufacturing, construction, healthcare, energy, information technology and more. When learning a trade you build a specific set of skills that is very desirable for that industry. You can build these skills through an apprenticeship, a certificate, or a degree. There are several advantages to pursuing the trades:

• First, the investment into your education is less because training time is condensed; students typically graduate from a program with little to no debt.
• You can find a job quickly that pays well. Across the U.S., communities are experiencing workforce shortages, especially in the trades. Depending on the industry, entry level salaries usually start at $35,000 per year (or more!).
• This is the fastest path to earning a living wage out of high school! The education requirements are not as intensive as a four-year program. You learn only what you need through classes and on-the-job training.
• Career examples include: welder, carpenter, nurse, developer, machinist, construction worker, radiology technician, payroll clerk, and graphic designer.

What is a skill? A skill or skill set is developed through time, education and experience. Hard skills, which are specific to doing a particular job, are developed through learning and experience. An example of a hard skill is operating a piece of equipment. Examples of soft skills are teamwork, timeliness, and creativity. Employers value skills because they describe what you know and how you work.

Where can I find more information on how apprenticeships work? Start by visiting the Montana apprenticeship program through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Apprenticeship Quick Facts

• Hundreds of Montanans graduate from apprenticeship training each year, many of them earning over $40,000 annually while in training. The average wage after completion of an apprenticeship program is over $60,000 per year.
• Employers have in-demand jobs that need to be filled, so they offer on-the-job training for workers.
• Workers earn while they learn and experience zero to little debt.
• Apprenticeships are a combination of classroom and workplace training. Many apprentices also obtain college degrees and certificates as part of their program.
• Career examples: electrician, auto mechanic, hospital coder, utility technician, construction and more! Apprenticeships are available for occupations outside of the trades, too - like accounting technicians.

College Fairs

• Each fall, MontanaColleges.com hosts college fairs in high schools across Montana. This is a fantastic opportunity to visit with colleges in Montana (and beyond) in one place.

Schedule a Tour

• What a better way to get a feel for a campus than to tour it. Campuses offer group and individual tours all year round so that students can get a personal feel to see if the college is the right fit for them. Tours are led by students, for students, so you can ask them real questions and get honest answers. What’s dorm life like? Did you get homesick? Are professors easy to talk to?
• Many tours occur during spring and summer. If you have a road trip coming up, consider including a campus tour. Even if you don’t think the college is the right fit, tour it anyway. This is the best process to discover what you like and don’t like about campuses.

• Can you afford to go to school out of state?
  Almost all out-of-state schools have higher tuition for non-residents. Not only that, but costs can generally be higher for things like housing, transportation, and food. What options are available to reduce the cost of attendance?  Many schools in the western part of the U.S. take part in the Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) program that can reduce the cost of tuition for Montana residents. Also, there are always scholarships to apply for...look for the ones that will allow you to use them at an out-of-state school.
• Prepare for a new climate
  This can vary greatly depending on where you plan to attend. Do a little research to see what the weather is like and how you might have to adapt coming from a state with weather like Montana. 
• Getting home might not be easy  
  Montana is a big state and is not generally close to anywhere (even some cities in Montana). You likely will not be able to travel back home regularly. Maybe only holidays or in the summer, if at all. Can you handle this practically and emotionally?
• Packing what you need
  How will you get everything you need to your dorm? Maybe you have a car or pickup that you can cram everything in. You might have to take multiple cars or multiple trips.  You will likely need to limit what you can take. This could be tricky to navigate but if you have a plan in place you can manage it.

• High school transcript - Colleges like to see both the unofficial transcript, which is the record of grades up to your junior year, as well as an official transcript following high school graduation. The unofficial transcript is sent in conjunction with the college application and the official transcript is sent at a later date.
• ACT/SAT scores - Colleges may ask for a self-reported score or results may be sent to the school directly from the testing organization. When you take your test, you will have the option to list the schools you’d like to receive your test scores.

Possible Additional Requirements:

• Letters of reference are typically from individuals you have worked with in and outside of school. References could be an educator, a counselor, an employer, or someone you help through volunteering. This is why volunteering matters!
• Essays - Schools may require an essay pertaining to why you want to attend their college or why they should choose you for admission. Include in your essay your academic strengths and achievements, athletic participation, time management skills, character strength, volunteer hours, or something you’re passionate about. You may also be able to use these same essays to apply for scholarships and grants.

Internships are a great way to gain real-world experience and businesses are realizing that building relationships with high school students can help them grow their workforce.

Some internships are paid, and some are not. The biggest advantages of internships are exposure to careers, learning new things, and listing the experience on your resume and college application. An internship can even lead to a permanent job!

Where can I find more information on how apprenticeships work? Start by visiting the Montana apprenticeship program through the Montana Department of Labor and Industry.

Apprenticeship Quick Facts

• Hundreds of Montanans graduate from apprenticeship training each year, many of them earning over $40,000 annually while in training. The average wage after completion of an apprenticeship program is over $60,000 per year.
• Employers have in-demand jobs that need to be filled, so they offer on-the-job training for workers.
• Workers earn while they learn and experience zero to little debt.
• Apprenticeships are a combination of classroom and workplace training. Many apprentices also obtain college degrees and certificates as part of their program.
• Career examples: electrician, auto mechanic, hospital coder, utility technician, construction and more! Apprenticeships are available for occupations outside of the trades, too - like accounting technicians.

Reserve Officers’ Training Corps, or ROTC, is another option for students to consider. ROTC is a program of study taken in addition to regular college courses. The program includes leadership, management, and professional knowledge classes as well as “hands-on” experiences. Students make a commitment to the military and in return, they earn scholarships that cover the cost of college attendance. For more information about ROTC options in Montana.

• Community and Nonprofit Development
• Disaster Services
• Economic and Workforce Development
• Education
• Energy and Conservation
• Health and Nutrition
• Legal Assistance
• Tribes and Native American Affairs
• Veterans and Military Families
• Youth Development and Mentoring

AmeriCorps members earn a stipend while serving to help cover basic costs of living, and receive an education award upon completion of service.

• National Service in Montana: There are 15 different AmeriCorps programs and projects in Montana. To learn more, visit Serve Montana, the Governor’s Office of Community Service.
• National Service outside of Montana: Explore hundreds of national AmeriCorps service opportunities.

While serving, Peace Corps volunteers receive a monthly in-country living allowance to pay for basic expenses. Volunteers also earn a monthly readjustment allowance that they receive as a lump sum upon completion of service.

Service time in the Peace Corps is a two-year commitment, plus three months of training.

Learn more at peacecorps.gov.

• Scholarships
  Some scholarships require volunteer hours, and your time spent giving back to the community can provide the perfect story for a scholarship essay. Volunteering can set you apart from the competition – giving you an edge when it comes to earning free money for school.
• College Applications
  Colleges want well-rounded students who excel in and out of the classroom. One way to enhance your college application, especially if your grades are average, is to detail your volunteer hours. Demonstrate that with your smarts, comes a big heart!
• Resume
  Your resume comprises your education and work history. Include your volunteer experience on your resume to help demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through your experience. The organizations you served can also be used as employment references – just make sure you ask first!

Finding volunteer opportunities. Now that you’re interested in giving back because you’ll gain so much in return, volunteer opportunities are easy to find! Check with your school counselor regarding local volunteer opportunities. Join clubs like 4-H, National Honors Society, Business Professionals of America (BPA) - they have lots of volunteer opportunities! VolunteerMatch.org is a great way to search for local and national opportunities. Also, try a Google search for where you live or search for non-profits in your community and approach them about volunteering. You could help walk dogs at your local animal shelter or take meals to the elderly. There are tons of opportunities out there for you!