Sometimes people argue against providing more access to college, "Not everyone needs to go to college." And also, "We need to bring back trade schools."
I think that many are not aware of how much the world has changed since they graduated from high school and went to college or did not go to college.
When I graduated from college, only a minority of young people went to college. College was for the brains, the smart kids, the A students. If you wanted to be a doctor or a lawyer or a teacher, you needed a college degree. Otherwise, most jobs didn't require one.
Nowadays, you might not need a four year bachelor's degree in history or engineering or business administration, but most people will need to have some training or education past high school if they want a middle class income and some economic security in a world that's going to be constantly changing through their working years.
I copied all of the programs offered at my local community college - then deleted all of the ones that were what most people think of when they think of college majors, English, Biology, Geology, etc. Here's what's left. If you or someone you're close to has not attended a community college lately, you might not realize that they have so many programs like these:
American Sign Language-Interpreter Training
Architectural and Engineering Computer Aided Design
Automotive Collision Repair and Refinishing Technology
Automotive Technology and Outdoor Powered Equipment
Building Construction Technology
Business, Government, and Technical Communications
Computer Information Technology
Diagnostic Medical Imaging - Radiology
Emergency Medical Services Professions
Exercise Science/Personal Fitness Trainer
Game Development, Animation, and Motion Graphics
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Technology
Hospitality, Meeting and Event Planning, Tourism
Logistics and Supply Chain Management
Music Business, Performance, and Technology
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Of course community colleges also offer the traditional college courses. You can get a 2-year Associate Degree in these subjects, but most students taking these courses at a community college are planning to transfer to a four year college or university for their third and fourth year of a bachelor's degree.
Here are the more traditional college programs at my local community college
Bachelor of Applied Science in Software Development
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