In this episode Tiffany Scheel and I explore a topic that is informed by her family's experience. For many high schoolers, there is a lack of visibility to options for students who would prefer a 1 or 2 year program over a traditional four-year degree. We talk about identifying training resources and career paths that appeal to those who want a lucrative vocation without obtaining a bachelors degree. Tiffany has been supporting her younger daughter through this journey, and I am grateful she brought her insights to share with the Career Chat Room.

Student debt is a rising concern for both students and parents. Alternatives exist for college-aged students who want hands-on practical learning for an in-demand skill that puts them to work faster and with less debt. As Tiffany discovered, getting access to the alternative options can be challenging and are typically not presented as an equal alternative to going to university.

We hope that with research and diligence you can find the right alternative for you (or your student). To accelerate this process for you, Tiffany has shared a few of the links we referenced within the episode.

Tiffany is a talent and transformation professional who spent 25+ years building her career at IBM and 2 years at Chubb. She specializes in talent management, skills strategy, learning & development, and change management projects and is available for consulting engagements.

Mike Rowe Works: https://mikeroweworks.org/about/ 

Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/lifestyle/careers/gen-z-trades-jobs-plumbing-welding-a76b5e43 

North Florida Worlds of Work: https://www.northfloridaworldsofwork.com/