I was very impressed with the following information from Kiplinger's Magazine and considering my own experience it might be helpful to many on this forum.
A lot has changed for those of us who graduated high school and decided to listen to our JW parents and our congregation and pioneer instead of furthering our education.
I was that person, an indifferent HS student, not too prone to go on to college. And of course while no one told me not to go to college no one encouraged me to do so either. So like many others my college years were spent pioneering and serving where the need was great (as we called it in those days).
My compensation was respect and appreciation from my fellow witnesses. However that respect and appreciation came at a very high price in future lost opportunities after my wife and I left the truth We were in our early twenties and ex Jw's.
With little to no money and expecting our first child we moved in with my uber JW family and kept a very low profile while I attended a trade school to learn the basics of portrait and commercial photography. Our money ran out three months later so I took my limited knowledge and found my first job as a baby photographer. It was all up hill from there.
Educational options have certainly changed......for the better. And so I hope the following will be helpful. I also would appreciate hearing from others about their experiences in choosing jobs/careers.......during and after their JW life.
The following is a selection of interesting possibilities that are available here in the U.S. http://www.kiplinger.com/article/college/T042-C000-S002-4-alternatives-to-a-four-year-college-degree.html
* Public college costs have skyrocketed in the last five years........ an average in-state education is now $17,860 per year. Private-college costs are approaching $40,000 a year. However on average you will earn far more then those with just a HS degree.
* Unfortunately unemployment for recent high school graduates is a whopping 27% and career options are disappearing fast. Nearly four out of every five jobs destroyed in the recession were held by workers with a HS diploma or no diploma.
*By 2020 the percentage of jobs that don't demand a post HS credential will shrink to 36% according to the Georgetown University Center on Education and Workforce.
However if you can continue your education after high school the picture changes.
*Holders of two year associate's degrees are in increasing demand in today's work-force. In fact, employers are planning to hire one-third more associate's degree earners this year then last, according to the Michigan State University's 2012-2013 "Recruiting Trends". That will far exceed the increase in demand for bachelor's degree holders.
These degrees typically awarded after a two year-year program usually result in a career-oriented skill. Business degree holders earn some of the highest wages.
* Most middle-wage-jobs $35,000 to $75,000-in fields with increasing demand, such as health care, information technology and public services require some form of post-high school certification.
The earnings boost a certificate provides can be considerable. More then one-fourth of those holding postsecondary licenses or certificates earn more then the average bachelor's degree recipient according to Harvard Universities 2011 "Pathway to Prosperity" report.
It's increasingly becoming a matter of Which occupations or industries you go into as opposed to the level of education.
*For clarification a certification program is available at community collages-for profit schools or corporate programs; they will vary in price, length of study and academic prerequisites: For example becoming a certified nursing assistant requires course work at a community college plus clinical hours at a health facility and a passing score on a certifying exam.
However to earn an information-technology certificate from the Microsoft IT academy (one of a number of industry -related certifying programs) you attend approved classes at an educational institution such as a community college or private school then take exams that test your proficiency with, in this case, Microsoft products.
The article goes on to talk about using Community Colleges to get your prerequisites out of the way at two thirds lower cost then starting at a four year school.
Also mentioned are three year BA programs.
Mooc's "Massive Open online course's" are offered by Harvard, MIT and Duke free of charge through partners such as Coursera. The courses typically offer certification of completion, but few offer credit toward a degree, however that may change soon.
The article ends at that point.
What I learned was that just having a HS diploma is no longer sufficient.......... Employers are looking for job ready applicants.
That "It's increasingly becoming a matter of Which occupations or industries you go into as opposed to the level of education."
And there you have the game changer for those who feel they have missed the educational boat. You haven't because there are other ways to get where you need to go.