AJ stands for Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. His reputation for toughness earned him the nickname "Old Hickory." A hero of the War of 1812, Jackson has appeared on the $20 bill since 1928.

Part II of a series about planning your education after high school

•  Part I: Choosing Your College
•  Part III: Three Down, One to Go...to College
•  Part IV: Your College Checklist
•  Part V: Studying in Another Country

Are you a junior or senior, and still not sure what you'll do after high school? The good news is...YOU have educational options! Pursuing your bachelor's degree at a four-year university or college isn't your only avenue. Today, hundreds of thousands of students are opting for technical college degrees for a variety of reasons.

It's true that academic (university) degrees offer advantages and open doors for many career aspirations. But an associate degree from a technical college can prepare you for hundreds of career opportunities, too. The differences lie in who you are, what you want to do, and your skills and interests. A university education is theoretical and broad-based learning. Technical colleges, of which there are 62 in the country, offer more specific hands-on training. (Use your favorite search engine to check for technical colleges located in your state.)

What do you want to be?

Technical college schooling offers a wide variety of career options. They include medical laboratory technician, computer programmer, CAD (computer assisted drawing) operator, registered nurse, car mechanic, physical therapy assistant, hotel/restaurant manager--and hundreds more.

American firms   expect to create   1.6 million new   information   technology jobs   this year.

There's a greater demand now for technical employees than there are skilled people to fill the positions. To check out your technical job possibilities, look at Beyond High School.

How can I benefit from technical education?

Cost of education. Obtaining a bachelor's degree at a university or four-year college costs more. That's because students attend a minimum of four years, and sometimes longer to earn required credits. Technical college tuition can run as high as $10,000 a year, but degrees can be earned in two years. University degrees, even at public, in-state universities, cost more--especially when housing costs are added in.

Check out the   College Board's   website for   financial aid forms   and information.

• Financial aid. As with four-year colleges, financial aid packages are also available for technical colleges. And many have foundations that offer scholarships, too.



• Practical training. Technical colleges offer smaller classes and hands-on training. It's intense schooling, but graduates report such advantages as close interaction with instructors, a comfortable class environment, and getting to know their classmates. Technical colleges offer traditional career training, too. Click here for one student's story.



• Link to business. Technical colleges work closely with their respective business communities to prepare students for technical positions. As technology changes the way businesses operate, schools also adapt curricula to equip students with the skills that businesses need--now and in the future.



• Apprentices and intern opportunities. The close ties between technical colleges and business result in great student opportunities for paid apprentice and intern positions. Businesses look to technical colleges for skilled, trained employees. They're open to placing potential employees into their offices and plants to contribute to students' education as well as determine which employees will fit their businesses.



• Job placement. Technical colleges are proud of their high job placement ratios. They recognize that students need an education, but they know students also need jobs when they graduate. The colleges have done well in cultivating strong business ties that result in jobs for graduates.



• College transfers. Most technical college credits transfer to state universities. If you plan to continue your education, be sure to investigate what course credits will transfer, and which colleges and universities will accept them, before you register. It'll help keep your educational options open.

Before making any commitments about post-high school education, give some thought to what you'd like to do. Your decisions about where to go may be easier. Check out career possibilities in the U.S. Department of Labor's report on Fastest Growing Occupations and 'Tomorrow's Jobs,' from the federal government's Consumer Education Information Center in Pueblo, Colorado.

Part II of a series about planning your education after high school

•  Part I: Choosing Your College
•  Part III: Three Down, One to Go...to College
•  Part IV: Your College Checklist
•  Part V: Studying in Another Country

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