Students who finish four years of college have more job opportunities and earn more money than those who don’t. However, if a student feels they will not be ready for a four-year college right after high school, they still have many options. What are they?

According to the US Census Bureau, a high school dropout earns nearly $10,000 less a year than someone with a diploma. Over a lifetime, a high school dropout makes about $1 million less than a college graduate.

US Census Bureau, 1999

Age Verses Average Income	High School Dropout	High School Grad	Associate's Degree	Bachelor's Degree	Master's Degree	Professional Degree	Doctoral Degree
Tot-Ave (25-64)	$18,894	$25,909	$33,020	$45,394	$54,537	$99,253	$81,430
25-29 Average	$15,346	$20,975	$25,403	$33,031	$37,211	$42,662	$47,457
30-34 Average	$17,238	$24,282	$29,642	$41,417	$47,080	$65,355	$61,159
35-39 Average	$18,311	$25,633	$32,347	$46,532	$58,179	$104,366	$79,221
40-44 Average	$19,426	$27,696	$36,143	$49,724	$55,577	$102,191	$82,947
45-49 Average	$19,230	$27,936	$35,784	$50,322	$59,379	$109,435	$87,146
50-54 Average	$21,514	$27,942	$37,671	$54,419	$58,897	$98,787	$88,590
55-59 Average	$21,716	$27,643	$37,827	$50,981	$58,848	$127,745	$89,769
60-64 Average	$20,610	$25,446	$31,423	$41,259	$50,423	$152,581	$84,870

 
The previous table reflects a survey completed by the US Census Bureau in 1999. The latest data, according to a recent newsroom press release, posted from the census.gov Web site on Thursday, October 26, 2006, reflects the following averages.

• Advanced Degree: $78, 093
• Bachelor's Degree: $51,554
• High School Diploma: $28,645
• No Diploma: $19,169

Press Release: Census Bureau Data Underscore Value of College Degree

Decades ago, finding a job without a high school diploma was easy. Even the military allowed enlistment of recruits who dropped out of school, which of course ended with a change of policies in the 80's. Not surprisingly, as years past, more and more industrialized businesses (manufacturing plants, factories, etc.) are following the militaries lead and are requiring employees have a minimum high school diploma or GED.

These days, finding a job without a high school diploma is still possible; however, with the cost of living added to the low wages typical for high school dropouts, it's extremely difficult to make a decent living.

Graduating from high school is better than dropping out, but is graduating from high school enough for this day and age?

In old school days, a high school grad could easily find a job that didn't require a college education. Once hired, an ambitious young employee could start out at the bottom and work their way to the top. It wasn't unusual to see someone with only a high school diploma become a supervisor based on their experience and many years of service. On the other hand, today's managerial positions require a bachelor's degree just to get a foot in the door. Even when workers are able to get jobs without a college degree, they usually find it hard to advance because employers prefer to promote individuals holding some type of a degree.

In addition to a shift in the employer's preferences, world class models are being designed to change the way Americans work. The workforce is becoming increasingly professional and jobs progressively more technical in order to create a safer and more productive environment. A good example of this concept would be the implementation of automated equipment.

Of course, the education system as a whole is being driven to support this movement. As a result, more and more people are earning degrees and the work place is becoming saturated in the process. You can now go just about anywhere in the United States and find someone with a degree holding down a job that requires nothing more than a high school diploma. On the other hand, you will be hard pressed to find a high school grad holding a position that requires a degree.

It wouldn't be unreasonable at this point to predict that someday a world class model would exist that requires employees hold at least an associate’s degree.

One might argue: why spend money on a degree if you aren't able to use it? There are many view points to consider, and probably just as many arguments to be heard. However, the reality is the greater the education the more opportunity exists. An individual with a degree flipping burgers at a restaurant has a greater opportunity at finding a better job and improving their position in life than does a high school dropout under the same circumstances. The good news is anyone, including a high school dropout, can go back to school in order to further themselves through an education.

So, back to our original question: If a student feels they will not be ready for a four-year college right after high school, they still have many options. What are they?

There are many reasons a young adult may not attend a four-year college. Some will decide to pursue a two-year degree in preparation for a career, while others will join the military for resources to further their education. Some young adults may experience health issues and/or family circumstances beyond their control that prevent them from entering college. Maybe they have no choice but to enter the work force.

Tech School: South Carolina public schools provide both general academic courses and advanced (career and technology) courses through a partnership program involving sixteen Technical Colleges in South Carolina. Even though home school students don't have access to the public schools tech prep programs, some home school parents have independently arranged for students to take advanced courses through a technical college for dual enrollment courses.

Help your student coordinate with an admissions administrator to see what courses and programs are available during and after high school that will help them further their education.

• South Carolina Technical College System

http://www.sctechsystem.com/

• South Carolina Technical Schools

http://www2.itt-tech.edu/

http://www.ecpi.edu/index.cfm

http://mmtccharleston.com/

• Technical School Directory

http://www.techschooldirectory.com/

Two-Year College: If four years of additional schooling is not possible, have your student consider a two year program. Tech schools may offer a program that's right for them. However, you may want to compare tech school programs with programs offered at two-year and four-year colleges.

Higher education institutions teach many different subjects in many different types of programs (e.g. associates degrees, certificates, diplomas, etc). These programs are designed to offer services to a wide range of students; from students still in high school to mid-career professionals looking to make a career change.

As with tech schools, you will want to help your student coordinate with an admissions administrator to see what courses and programs are available during and after high school that will help them further their education. Visit the following Web page and click on the link "Colleges, Universities", for a list of two-year and four-year schools.

http://www.sciway.net/

Online Universities: Online resources are popping up all over the country. In the process, some accredited schools are determined to charge the same fees for online students as they would for students on campus.

http://www.strayer.edu/

On the other hand, some accredited schools are adjusting their rates accordingly.

http://www.limestone.edu/

Online programs can be accredited or unaccredited. Unless an unaccredited school is able to provide credible evidence of success with their programs, we highly recommend choosing a program that is accredited and meets the standards of the regional institutions (for verification of integrity purposes only).

Some schools (known as diploma mills) have claimed accreditation by agencies that don't even exists. A list of accrediting agencies is maintained on the US DOE Web site.

http://www.ed.gov

Military: On January 6, 2006, President Bush signed Public Law 109-163, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2006. Section 591 of the Act requires all four branches of the Armed Forces to institute a uniform recruitment policy for homeschool graduates, to communicate the policy down to the recruiting officer level, and to exempt homeschool graduates from any otherwise applicable requirement to have a secondary school diploma or a GED (which suggests the student dropped out of high school). Visit HSLDA's Web site to learn more.

http://www.hslda.org

Gap Year: Here's a thought. Some students are taking time out to travel and experience the world before jumping back into the books. We put together a list of resources for parents to help their student research their options. Go to Barnes&Noble.com and type the following book titles into their search tool, or type in the word "gap year". Don't forget to compare prices and product reviews with Amazon.com.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/ 

http://www.amazon.com/  

• Planning Your Gap Year: Hundreds of Opportunities for Employment, Study, Volunteer Work and Independent Travel by Nick Vandome
• Taking a Gap Year by Susan Griffith
• The Gap-Year Advantage: Helping Your Child Benefit from Time Off Before or During College by Karl Haigler and Rae Nelson

Workforce: Reality is education creates opportunity. The greater the education, the more opportunity exists. At the other end of the spectrum, a minimized education reduces ones chances for opportunity. We encourage every parent to support their child by helping them further themselves through an education, just as we encourage every student to continue their education.

The general rule of thumb is, continuing an education at a later date will not be as easy to accomplish as it is now, a time when parents are supporting their students; yet, it is possible.

We put together a list of resources for parent to help their student research their options. Go to Barnes&Noble.com and type the following book titles into their search tool. Don't forget to compare prices and product reviews with Amazon.com.

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.amazon.com/ 

• The UnCollege Alternative: Your Guide to Incredible Careers and Amazing Adventures Outside College by Danielle Kwatinetz Wood
• Success Without College: Why Your Child May Not Have to Go to College Right Now--and May Not Have to Go At All by Linda Lee
• Success Without a College Degree: Dissolving the Roadblocks Between You and Success by John Murphy

PARENT/TEACHER: PERIOD OF ADJUSTMENT

This can be a very emotional time for parents and students for a number of reasons. Students are assuming more control over their destiny while parents have to learn to let go.

Every parent will handle this transition in their own way, some welcoming the change, others struggling to get through it. Setting aside time to reflect on how this period of adjustment may affect us, as a parent and spouse, may be the best approach to helping our child adjust as well. Our goal should be to strike a healthy balance in our relationship with our child where communication is positive and we are a source of encouragement.

We put together a list of resources to help you become better prepared for this season of change. Go to Christianbook.com and type the following book titles into their search tool. Don't forget to compare prices and product reviews with Barnes&Noble.com and Amazon.com.

http://www.christianbook.com/

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/

http://www.amazon.com/ 

• When You're Facing the Empty Nest: Avoiding Midlife Meltdown When Your Child Leaves Home by Mary Ann Froehlich
• The Second Half of Marriage Curriculum Kit: Facing the Eight Challenges of the Empty Nest by David Arp, Claudia Arp
• 10 Great Dates for Empty Nesters by David Arp, Claudia Arp