Earning your high school diploma or GED is something to be proud of, but now what? College or trade school? Many high school graduates make the mistake of doing what everyone else is doing by attending college soon after, or not furthering their education at all. If you’re at this crossroads in your life, take a moment to consider these common mistakes young adults often make.

What Not to Do as a Young Adult

1. Following the Crowd

College feels like a normal path to take for many people, but too often, graduates decide to go to the same universities as their friends without researching all their options. Choosing a college or trade school should be dependent on your own interests, goals, and finances. Instead of an out-of-state university, a small community college can help you explore different majors. If you’ve never liked school and want to start making money instead of incurring student loan debt, trade schools can teach you the skills you need faster and at lower cost in the long run. 

2. Skipping Additional School

Some young adults can’t decide on a college major or life plan, so they don’t enroll in college or a trade school. Sure, you might save cash initially, but your potential for earning more money decreases substantially the longer you wait. Enrolling in a trade school is a smart way to get valuable work skills until you explore your long-term career goals. Those skills can also increase your earning opportunities should you decide not to pursue a college degree.

3. Ignoring Trade Schools as a Viable Option

When many people think of vocational or trade schools, they immediately imagine automotive, carpentry, or industrial professions. Sometimes young adults simply don’t realize that trade schools offer different courses of study, such as accounting, building administration, health care, and computer administration. If you have a strong interest in pursuing a certain career, speak to your high school guidance counselor or teachers. Chances are, they can refer you to a trade school that can help you skip unnecessary electives and get straight to learning the skills you need to succeed.

At Berk Trade and Business School in Long Island City, NY, knowledgeable and experienced instructors help students learn valuable job skills in a variety of trades, including electrical, plumbing, and business. Accredited by the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges of Technology and backed by the New York State Education Department, they feature small classes with hands-on learning. To learn more about this trade school’s programs, call (718) 729-0909 or visit their website.