Many high school grads don’t think twice before jumping straight into the next “logical” step: going to college. But here’s a little secret… college isn’t the only option when you finish high school! Quite frankly, it may actually pay off to delay getting a degree and explore alternatives to college instead. After all, college tuition fees are expensive and it’s common for students to take on thousands of dollars of debt in student loans without actually knowing what direction they want to go in after they complete their degree.
If you’re unsure of what you want to do next, know that after high school is the perfect time to do a little soul-searching to figure out who you are, what you want to do, and if you even want to or need to study a four-year degree. This is the first time for most that YOU get to have a say in the next step, so if you don’t yet know what that next step looks like, college doesn’t have to be your answer. Want to know what to do instead of college if you’re feeling unsure? Here’s all the inspo you need!
Is it a good idea to put off college?
Discover your unique path after high school—so many exciting options await!
It’s always going to be tempting to head down the college route directly after high school. College gives you instant access to a wide range of classes, a network of professionals and peers, internship opportunities, exciting extracurricular activities, on-campus living away from mom and dad, and leads to a degree that looks good on your resume. There’s nothing wrong with following this traditional pathway. After all, the next best step after high school should be about getting to know yourself better, expanding your skillset, and making connections – and for some people who know what they want to do long-term, this is going to college.
But the reality is life can look a million different ways, and ultimately, it depends on you! You don’t have to go to college just because someone told you you should, or because everyone else is doing it. It’s a big commitment of time and money, and if you don’t yet know what you want to do, or if you don’t need a four-year degree to do the thing you love, then YES, it’s a good idea to put off college.
Take a moment to ask yourself, what do I want to do next? And then take the next step. If you’re feeling a little unsure and wondering what to do after high school besides college, know there are endless alternatives to university. College isn’t the best choice for everyone. Consider what feels exciting to you, and know that college will always be there if you change your mind about it somewhere down the road.
12 Cool Alternatives to College
A few things to consider are what lights you up, where do you want to be in the world, and what can you realistically afford at this moment in time? You may have the answer inside of you already, but if you don’t, here are some of the best alternatives to college:
1. Get a job.
Step into the workforce and gain valuable skills while earning some cash!
If you’re feeling stuck on what to do instead of going to college, one of the best alternatives to university is getting a job. You can’t go wrong with working an entry-level position, where you can start to gain valuable job skills, make money, and gain some insight into what you might want to do next before committing to a student loan. Even if your first job isn’t your dream job, it’s still a great stepping stone before you decide what you want to do next. However, getting a job doesn’t have to be traditional or boring, just consider the next option below…
2. Do a working holiday visa.
Thinking about working after high school but craving an adventure, too? Why not work abroad! Even if you don’t yet have valuable working skills, in some countries, you can land a working holiday visa that allows you to work and travel through a foreign country, gaining work experience while also immersing yourself in a new country and perhaps picking up a second language while you’re at it.
US citizens who are over 18 can find working holiday opportunities in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Singapore, and even South Korea. If you have a different passport, you may have even more options for working holidays around the world.
3. Work for yourself.
Entrepreneurship might be a good option if you’ve been wondering what to do instead of going to university and have always dreamed of working for yourself. Starting a business is a great way to make money and gain valuable skills without being bound to college, and in fact, a lot of the time, you don’t need a college degree to become a successful entrepreneur. If you want to take the entrepreneurial path, consider turning a hobby into a money-making gig, starting a blog, writing a book, selling your art, or even becoming a social media influencer to make money without going to college.
4. Opt for community college.
Community college is a budget-friendly way to explore your interests and keep learning.
Working isn’t your only option if you’re wondering what to do after high school besides college. Other alternatives to college can also be alternative study pathways. Community college is a great option if you want to study but aren’t ready to commit to thousands of dollars of tuition debt. Some states offer free community college, while others have tuition at a small fraction of what you’d pay for university. You can take classes without taking on debt, and possibly live at home to save money on rent. You can even commit to a two-year associate’s degree at a low cost, which will still help you land a high-paying job than if you skip out on a degree altogether.
5. Study online.
Studying may sound like the best next step for you, but you want to explore alternatives to universities that are cheaper. Have you considered online study? Studying online opens doors – you can choose between studying an entire degree online while doing it from the comfort of home with more flexibility to work while you study, or opt to take a few online courses that interest you so you can start learning more about your passions while gaining valuable skills that translate to the workplace.
6. Go to a trade school.
Another one of the top alternatives to college that still offers a valuable study pathway is attending trade or vocational schools. These allow you to study in a specialized area, whether you’re interested in welding, auto mechanics, cosmetology, or electrical line work. They’re often cheaper than your two-year degree programs and allow you to graduate with a certificate that allows you to begin working immediately in your field. Do your research on what’s available through various trade schools and see if there’s anything that calls out to you!
7. Take a certificate course.
Unlock new opportunities with short certificate courses that ignite your passions.
Certificate courses offer a wide range of options if you’re considering what to do other than university. Some certificate courses may look similar to trade schools, offering specialized programs that allow you to work in your desired field and make a salary you can live on as soon as you graduate. Others may offer you access to valuable skills that can translate across different fields. Ultimately, certificates are shorter programs, lasting anywhere from a few weeks to several months, that help you uncover new passions, open doors to new job opportunities you may not have known about, and serve as a great option to study without going to college. Perhaps even a TEFL certificate could make sense for you!
8. Become an apprentice.
Perhaps you know exactly what you want to do for your career, and college just isn’t the best option for you. Apprenticeships are available for certain career paths, like carpentry, plumbing, and electricians, that allow you to be mentored while working in your chosen field and gaining skills and expertise. Often, apprenticeships are paid, so you can take strides forward in your field without breaking the bank.
9. Join a boot camp.
If you’re still considering what are some alternatives to college, you might consider hopping on the latest bandwagon and trying a boot camp. Boot camps are short-term programs, averaging between two and twelve weeks, that offer intensive training in a specific skill. The most popular ones are coding and computer programming boot camps. They’re a bit more expensive than your average professional certificates but a lot cheaper than attending university and an excellent option if you want a career in IT. Check out this one of a kind 3-week boot camp in Portugal!
10. Get an internship.
If you’re not quite sure what to do instead of university, and you don’t yet have the skills to work in the field you desire, internships may be an excellent next step. Internships are often unpaid, allowing you to gain valuable experience and learn skills in an industry that isn’t quite ready to hire you due to your lack of work experience post-high school. They can be a great way to explore new passions while also accessing a professional network that could lead to job opportunities moving forward.
Want to make it a little extra exciting? Perhaps look for an international internship so you can travel the world while you’re at it.
11. Volunteer.
Volunteer and embark on a rewarding journey that could change your life!
Still feeling unsure of what to do after high school besides college? Why not take some time off to volunteer? Volunteering, whether you decide to stay close to home or travel abroad, can be one of the most eye-opening experiences if you’re feeling a little lost and looking for direction. It allows you to help people in need, exposing you to different economic backgrounds, travel to new places, learn new skills you perhaps wouldn’t learn in a paid job, and it may light a fire in your soul that leads you down a path you never knew about before. Volunteering comes in many forms, some even coming with additional benefits of learning a local language or paying a stipend if you opt to stay long-term.
12. Take a gap year abroad.
The best alternatives to college are always the ones that allow you to learn more about yourself, who you are, and what is important to you. A gap year might just be the perfect way to discover the direction you want to head in next. Keep in mind, a gap year doesn’t have to be a year – it could be a month, six months, a year, or three. No matter how long you make it, a gap year allows you to travel and see new perspectives, learn new languages, connect with people all over the world, and collect adventures everywhere you go. There’s no doubt, you’ll learn more about yourself and what you want to do next, whether that’s college or something else entirely. Let the world be your oyster.
Top Gap Year Programs to Do After High School
Thinking you’d love to travel the world instead of heading straight into college post-high school graduation? There are endless gap year programs out there that can make for an easy and stress-free experience, while opening your eyes to new cultures and serving as the perfect learning experience. Here are some of GoAbroad’s top picks of programs to do after high school, for those looking for excellent alternatives to university!
1. Volunteer Abroad in Costa Rica - Adventure with Purpose
Join Raleigh International to go on an adventure of a lifetime in Costa Rica. This program takes you to one of the most biodiverse countries in the world where you’ll get to volunteer in nature conservation alongside national park rangers, in local indigenous communities to improve access to education, and participate in adventure leadership treks to explore parts of the country that tourists can’t access. Go for one month or three and return with valuable skills in teamwork, leadership, and intercultural learning, all while having the adventure of a lifetime.
- Location: Costa Rica
- Check out Raleigh International reviews
2. Expedition Leader Training with Gapforce
If you’re looking for alternatives to college that quench your thirst for adventure, you’ll love Gapforce’s adventure-packed program that provides high-quality training in jungle survival, wilderness medicine, and expedition management and leadership. Their Expedition Leader Training program is perfect for those who want to take a path that’s off the beaten track. The program is low cost, only lasts between one and three months, and will have you leaving with nationally recognized qualifications that allow you to work in the adventure travel industry.
- Location: Costa Rica
- Check out Gapforce reviews
3. Cultural Explorer Gap Year
Looking for a more extensive gap year program? Impact Gap Year takes you on an eight-month trip through multiple destinations where you’ll get to explore unique cultures while participating in cultural immersions, volunteering in local communities, and learning new languages. With this program, you’ll get to explore five countries across four continents – from Costa Rica’s lush rainforests, to floating markets in Thailand, to rugged coastline in South Africa, and so much more. This program is a great all-rounder, giving you a taste of many different cultures, languages, and meaningful travel experiences, so you come home with new skills and passions before taking your next step.
- Locations: Costa Rica, South Africa, Spain, Thailand, Cambodia
- Check out Impact Gap Year reviews
Check Out More of Our Top Gap Year Program Recommendations
You don’t have to go to college right away—try these alternatives instead!
Whoever told you college is the right way… don’t believe them! For some people, college is the best pathway for the life they envision, but for many, it isn’t – and that’s okay. Ultimately, it’s up to you and the best option is always the one that allows you to learn more about yourself, your passions, gain skills that will lead you in the right direction, and connect you with people who will get you to where you want to be. There are endless alternatives to college, and if you’re unsure, just pick one and see where it leads!
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