Career Counseling Resources
For Middle School Students
Trade School vs. 4-Year College Degree
The U.S. is becoming aware of students disproportionately choosing four-year universities over vocational schools, creating a gap in qualified workers in a number of fields. As the demand for workers in trades increases alongside the cost of education, more students are seeing the appeal of attending trade school instead of going the traditional college route.
Trade school students typically spend about two years on a degree or less on an accelerated track or for a certificate. The cost of a trade school education will vary widely but is less expensive overall than a four-year degree, with the national average net price of a two-year education at a public institution sitting at $7,351 per year. Fields of study include subjects ranging from automotive service technology and bookkeeping to web design, management and practical nursing.
Traditional colleges and universities take four years, more or less, for completion of a bachelor’s degree. The national net price average for a four-year public college is $12,272 per year. That’s almost $5,000 per year over the cost of trade school, amounting to an average total difference in public higher education net price of more than $34,000. Fields of study include subjects such as journalism, biology, engineering and computer science.
For more information and/or to look at Accredited Schools Online.
Check out this awesome article featuring Battlefield's College and Career Counselor, Alissa Bridges. College is Not the Only Option: Local High Schools Help Students Find Their Singular Route to Success
Virginia 529 Plan
A 529 plan is a savings plan that helps families save for future qualified higher education expenses. In a 529 account, your money can grow free from federal taxes and be used to fund qualified higher education expenses at eligible educational institutions nationwide. Virginia taxpayers enjoy the additional benefit of a state income tax deduction on contributions to their Virginia 529 accounts.
You can start this plan as early as Kindergarten for your student so you can maximize your contributions to their accounts for the next 12 years of their education. However, you can start this plan at any time in your students educational career.
Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarship Sharing is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit that is dedicated to helping students in Virginia & Washington D.C, NC, SC and beyond, get connected to resources for paying for college.
Scholarship Sharing is an organization that provides free services to families and annually serves over 8,000 students. Click here to check out Scholarship Sharing!
The TypeFinder® for Career Planning
Match your personality type to a career that truly fits! Using Myers and Briggs' theory of 16 personality types, this scientific career test accurately measures the personality traits and preferences that point to your ideal career path. Clearly understand what motivates and drives you in your work, and see how your unique personality traits, strengths, and talents match up with real-world jobs.
This career personality test assesses your personality type according to Myers and Briggs' theory, as well as your career interests, using psychologist John Holland's system of occupational interests.