Non-traditional post secondary education ideas

[Captain Cactus]

My kids are still young but I am thinking ahead to post high school education opportunities.  Of course there is college and traditional trades (carpenter, plumber, etc).  And yes I know there is learn to code. 

But what are some non traditional opportunities?  Even outside the USA.  One organization that has always fascinated me is “Les Compagnons du Devoir” in France.

Would appreciate resources or lists!  Thank you!

[fell-like-rain]

Non-traditional trade schools: cosmetology, massage, acupuncture, etc.

There's plenty of hobbies where one could train with the goal of become an instructor- martial arts, skydiving, sailing, sea diving.

Apprenticeships are still a thing in some crafts- carpentry and boatbuilding come to mind.

[cool7hand]

Many people who code skip traditional college and just learn to code.

[FIPurpose]

Between CLEP, AP, community college, and the right summer classes, a really bright kid could probably graduate college in 2-3 years in certain majors.

I did my bachelors in 4.5 years though 1 year of that was doing an internship in the middle, so I guess technically 3.5 years. I did that by clearing 11 hours through clep, 6 through AP, took 9 hours at community college. If I had done CLEP earlier and had settled on my major to begin with, I probably could've done it in 3.

[roomtempmayo]

organization that has always fascinated me is “Les Compagnons du Devoir” in France.

Very cool tradition that I hadn't heard of before, and I'm mostly posting to follow.

I've long thought the disruptive threat (if you want to call it that) to American higher ed isn't online ed, or certificates, or bootcamps, or whatever new quicker/cheaper route to a job someone concocts.  There are already ample routes to skilled and well paid work for little cost.

The threat is that someone will figure out how to combine a direct path to a job (cheap and fairly easy to do) with a coming of age experience that's safe, fun, occurs in a physical community, and feels aspirational (super expensive so far, and really hard to do). 

Les Compagnons du Devoir sounds like the closest I've heard of to a concept that does both.  I'm curious how the funding works.

[CodingHare]

Many people who code skip traditional college and just learn to code.

Do note that while that path is still possible, hiring heavily prefers candidates with a bachelor's in comp-sci over field experience.  We all know it's bullshit, but it is there.  It also factors into promotions, it is very rare if not impossible to reach a senior engineer position without a degree.
 
That said, if you are dedicated, the path of having your workplace pay for your degree is open.  It does require you to work and study at the same time, but it's a lot cheaper than the traditional college path.

[Phenix]

Other lucrative career possibilities that shouldn't take much capital to start if buying high-quality used equipment are landscape/power-washing/snow removal (in the north) and driveway sealing. If you have a little more capital, a friend of mine started an oil, tire, & brake shop that earns him 6-figures with no formal training (he works 60+ hours a week and it's dirty, back-breaking work).  There's also house cleaning if there's a nearby upscale neighborhood or tourist area with lots of vacation rentals.

[gooki]

Starting ones own business is a rapid learning experience. Throw in a good mentor and they'll learn a lot.

[PDXTabs]

I don't know if you would call it nontraditional but I am trying to get one of my kids interested in an AAS in Renewable Energy Systems. At least in Oregon and Washington it is possible to start at community college during your junior year in high school, possibly allowing you to finish at 18 or 19 with an associates degree.

[stoaX]

My kids are still young but I am thinking ahead to post high school education opportunities.  Of course there is college and traditional trades (carpenter, plumber, etc).  And yes I know there is learn to code. 

But what are some non traditional opportunities?  Even outside the USA.  One organization that has always fascinated me is “Les Compagnons du Devoir” in France.

Would appreciate resources or lists!  Thank you!

I applaud you for thinking outside the box, and also for raising an interesting and important topic.

[Captain Cactus]

Thanks all for the replies.  All insightful stuff.

So many opportunities, gotta fight the push to follow the mainstream.