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:

• Affordability: The investment in your education is less because training time is condensed; students can typically graduate from a program with little to no debt, usually in two years or less.
• Jobs are in demand: 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!).
• Career examples include: welder, carpenter, nurse, developer, machinist, construction worker, radiology technician, payroll clerk, and graphic designer.

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, and then check out Reach Higher Montana’s apprenticeship program. You may be able to start your apprenticeship when you are still in high school.

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.

• A bachelor's degree is awarded upon completion of a four-year program of undergraduate study, totaling 120 credit hours.
• Sometimes, it takes longer than four years to earn a four-year degree, as the classes you need may be offered in limited availability. 
• Career examples: engineers, journalists, farm, ranch and livestock management, biologist, K-12 teacher, chemist, forestry, social worker, and more.

• Earning a master’s degree usually requires an additional two to three years of study beyond a four-year degree.
• Earning a doctorate degree or PhD can take up to eight years, depending on your course of study. 
• It can take ten to fourteen years to become a doctor. This includes completion of a four-year undergraduate degree, at least four years of medical school, and three to seven years in a residency program.

Exploring Your Options
Often, campuses send representatives to high schools to visit with students. If a campus is visiting your high school and you have the time available, take advantage of these opportunities to learn more about the offerings at different colleges.

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.

Visit Campus
Most 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?

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.

• Affordability: Almost all out-of-state schools have higher tuition for non-residents. Not only that, but costs may be higher for things like housing, transportation, and food. What options are available to reduce the cost of attendance? 
• Adapting to a new climate: 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. 
• Making Friends: You might not know anyone at an out-of-state school, at least not right away. Are you comfortable finding and making new friends?
• There’s No Place Like Home: Getting home might not be easy. You may 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?

• 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.
• References: 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. 
• 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.

The first step is to start planning. You want to be ready for this path you have chosen before you finish high school so that no time is wasted in reaching your goals. What career path best suits your interests? What jobs can you do to gain more experience for the career you ultimately want? How much money will you need to make to support yourself?

These are just a few of the questions to ask yourself in your quest to gain independence, life experience, and learn more about yourself. If your goal is to go to college or a career training school later on, learn what the costs will be to attend the school and have a plan for saving money to offset that cost of attendance.  

Lastly, keep a journal (or at least make some notes) about your work experience so that you can look back on what you learned. You will find this info helpful when deciding on education options or preparing for future interviews.

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.

AmeriCorps

AmeriCorps provides service learning opportunities in programs throughout the country. Service time ranges from a minimum of 300 hours, up to a maximum of 1,700 hours (or three to twelve months). You can apply to serve in your own community or choose to serve somewhere else. Programs are available in all U.S. states and territories, and serve a wide range of community needs, including:

• 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.

Peace Corps

Interested in service on a global scale? The Peace Corps might be an option for you. Being part of the Peace Corps is a great way to learn more about the world, expand your horizons, and serve a community in need. Some positions require a college degree. If you don’t have a degree but do have some education and a few years of job experience, you may still be eligible to serve. You might also need to be fluent in a foreign language for some service assignments.