It takes intelligence to take a good ultrasound, to coordinate patient care at a large hospital, to do legal research, or to assist surgeons during an operation. This stigma is unfortunate because it’s simply not true.įor example, it takes a great deal of intelligence to safely wire a house and not electrocute yourself in the process. In an interview for NPR, Felix Rauner, a professor at the University of Bremen, remarked that “society has stigmatized vocational education, so most American parents see college as the only path to status and a good career for their children.” Some people assume that if you don’t attend a four-year university and enter a “white-collar” career, it’s because you’re not smart enough to do so. In the United States, there seems to be a certain stigma surrounding technical schools and careers. Technical schools train you for careers that require “middle skills,” which the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) defines as “skills that require additional training after high school but less than a bachelor’s degree.” Breaking the Stigma of Technical Schools Some programs of study will require some English or math, but most are highly specialized. However, at a technical college, the classes you take are focused on your chosen career.
How is this different from a community college?Īt a community college, you can earn a two-year degree, but you’re required to take a wide variety of general education classes, including English, math, and science. For $79 (or just $1.52 per week), join more than 1 million members and don't miss their upcoming stock picks. Motley Fool Stock Advisor recommendations have an average return of 618%.