Are Technical Schools Pointless?

[Allenberg]

So alright, I'm getting out of the military in a shade over six weeks, and I'm still trying to figure out what the hell to do. So, I came to the conclusion, after talking about it with my wife, that going to a two-year technical school, and further developing my skills (I'm a signals intelligence analyst with the Air Force, I work with modulators/demodulators/o-scopes and shit like that) as a telecom guy. So I call my parents and they tell me I'd be wasting money and time, and I need to go to a four year school blah blah blah. Keep in mind, that my parents aren't the most technologically advanced people, (they find the internet useless and have been using the same Packard Bell 100 MHz computer with Windows 95 on it since 1997.) So, basically, would going to a tech school be worthwhile, or going to a four year school be a good idea. Money isn't a factor, since the government owes me around 30K for college, which is enough to pay for a BA or BS in the state or PA.

[nedlogg]

1. Be a Plumber

Make some real money and never be outsourced. ;-)

[Allenberg]

3. Not so good with working with my hands.

[tjwash]

2. Worked for me and a lot of people I know.

Most places now are looking for experiance and education and certifications earned.

You have a decent enough looking background, and could probably hit the ground running, which is what a lot of places are looking for now...

[Allenberg]

4. The one thing that does kind of give me an advantage

is an active Top Secret/SCI clearance.

[Dirty Hippie]

5. I Teach at a Technical School

We do a very good job of training student for the local job market and helping them find jobs. Our graduates compete well against others with a degree because employers know they received hands-on training and can hit the ground running.

However, you need to think in term of your long term goals. If for instance, you think you would like to progress to a management level, a 4 year degree is certainly your best bet.

I have some students who chose both.

In either case, visit the school. Ask a lot of questions. Talk to current students. Ask for detailed curriculum outlines and if possible, have someone in your chosen field review them.

Good luck.

[Allenberg]

6. Well, as for right now

I'm just looking for something that'll let me get some training, and get a job up front...maybe 4 or 5 years down the road, let it progress into a Bachelors.

[sasquatch]

7. Yes they are a waste of time in most cases

Go to a Community College and get an Associates degree, or go to a four year college.

[rocktivity]

8. You're SURE about "getting out"? AND the 30K for college? Just asking.

I've been hearing too many things about extended deployments lately.

In a perfect world, a straight-C student with a college degree will beat out a straight-A trade school student every time. But I say "in a perfect world" because in a perfect world, there would be a growing American IT job market. There isn't.

It really depends on how well your Air Force IT skills dovetail into what there is of the U.S. IT job market wants. Find out--get information on where the market is going. And keep in mind that the trade school's first priority is getting their hands on your tuition--accept their IT job market claims with grain of salt and study their job placement record.

You may very well have to start from scratch at a four-year college. But I don't think you should let the skills you have lie fallow, either. Consider part-time work that can keep you involved with computers and mechanics.

:headbang:
rocknation

[Allenberg]

9. I'm banned from re-enlistment.

Part of the Air Force's "Force Shaping" deal. They get rid of me three months early. Everybody wins.