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As many students are now finding, a university degree no longer guarantees you a great job with good pay and benefits. More and more graduates are having to consider going back to school to learn more practical skills in order to find a job. This means that they are taking on more student debt, and spending more years in school before starting their career. Part of the trend is that a college diploma, degree, or certificate imparts the skills needed to land that first job in your industry, while a university degree will be useful for career advancement later.

College also tends to be much less expensive than university. When faced with thousands of dollars in student loan debt, the last thing many students want to consider is paying another dollar in tuition. Fortunately, a college program tends be shorter and less expensive than taking another university degree. Paying lower tuition fees for fewer semesters makes going back to school seem a lot less daunting!

When choosing a college, keep in mind what your previous education and your interests are. For example, if you enjoyed the creativity of writing, you might consider taking a Marketing or Communications program. Your college education will compliment your university education, giving you a more well-rounded education that includes the skills necessary to get the job you want

While how you learn will largely depend on the program you choose, look for a program that focuses on practical, marketable job skills. Your university degree probably gave you a solid foundation of knowledge to build on. College should be about learning how to apply what you know in the workforce. Programs taught by people working in the industry you’re interested in and programs that feature practicums are a great way to gain some hands-on experience. These work placements are also a great way to build relationships with people in your industry, which can help you land a job after graduation.

During a college program, you might find yourself spending more time on campus and in class than you did while in university. You might want to take this into consideration while considering college, by choosing a college where you enjoy the campus environment and feel comfortable. Also take into account the class sizes. It’s not unusual for a university class to be as large as 200 students. When looking at colleges, you’ll want to find one that offers small class sizes. This is more important at college because learning hands-on skills requires more personal attention from your instructor.

For years, going to college carried a sort of stigma among parents who thought that university was the only option for a “good” career. Unfortunately, university usually doesn’t focus on the practical skills that will get a graduate a job in today’s job market. Going to college after university can give you the edge you need to get started in your dream career.

Westervelt College is a career college located in London, Ontario, offering programs in the Faculties of Business, Healthcare, Technology, Law and Service.

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