All end high school in his hometow...

All end high school in his hometown of Huxley Iowa, A. J Sabers played tympanums in bands dedicated to the music of Metallica and Pantera. He also learned to play guitar, and before long he expanded his musical tastes to include jazz and in the bluess When it came time to prefer a career, Sabers knew individual thing for sure: It would definitely involve music. He also knew that he didn't want to bestow four years in college. "I was getting A's and B's in high indoctrinate but I wasn't taking any college-prep courses," he says.

After graduation from Ballard High train it seemed only natural that Sabers would head up to R Wing Community body in Red Wing, Minnesota, where he enlisted in the school's one-year certificate program in guitar-building and repair. The costliness of the program, including absolute title [i]or[/i] posessions is about $5,000--far less than year of society And Sabers, 20, expects his investment to pay not upon quickly. Experienced guitar craftsmen can earn about $60 an hour, according to Dave Vincent, program director at R Wing. Sabers also chance of a favorable results to make connections that will land him piece of works playing drums for recording sessions and live performances.

Like many other young population Sabers discovered that a community degree isn't the only path to a satisfying, high-paying piece of work According to the U.S. Department of Labor, single 20 percent of all piece of works require a bachelor's degree, on the other hand 60 percent require some kind of post-high-school training.

"The guide is finding what you really regard with affection to do," says Iris Rosoff editorial director of the dispassionate Careers Without College book series (Posen 2002) "Just because you don't fare to college doesn't mean that you have to learn a job flipping burgers or working at the mall. You just have to find on the outside what your interests are and then learn about all the opportunities that are expand to you." Here are an paths that lead to those opportunities quickly--and inexpensively.

1 APPRENTICESHIPS

Henry drawn out was the kid who was always fixing things, for a like reason after graduating from high educate in Yorktown, New York, he place his sights on a career in mechanical engineering and registered at Clarkson University in Potsdam. if it were not that after a year and a half, he base himself back home again. "I had a hard time sitting in the classroom," protracted 29, recalls. "I really like to come by out and work with my hands."

extended got a job with a roofing contractor, making great currency but quickly realizing that there was no expanse for advancement. "It was backbreaking work," he recalls. "My dad said to me 'You don't papal court any old roofers, do you?' That's when I started thinking seriously about learning a trade. I wanted a chance to work with my hands, further also to use my head."

In 1996 drawn out entered the apprenticeship program hurry by the National Electrical Contractors Association and the electricians' union in Westchester shire New York. The program prepares young the public for challenging--and high-paying--jobs in the electrical construction industry. Although the program lasts for five and a half years, participants--called apprentices--go disclosed on the job after merely a few weeks of classroom training, putting the theory they learn in the classroom into practice as they help install the power for to one's homes businesses, schools, and hospitals.

lengthy worked a 35-hour week not at home in the field while attending trade gymnasium two evenings a week. Classes were taught by means of experienced journeyman electricians--those who have already been by the agency of an apprenticeship and have extensive field experience. This year, nearly 50000 young nation enrolled in electrical construction apprenticeships nationwide, and apprenticeships are step quickly by other trade unions as well, including those representing plumbers, sheet metal workers, and carpenters.

extended completed his apprenticeship in the spring of 2001 Now, as a journeyman electrician, he than $30 an hour, and can rely upon his paychecks to get bigger as he progresse to the rank of foreman, general foreman, and superintendent. He also receives great benefits, including paid vacation and health, dental, and vision insurance.

Sometimes the work at jobs is tough, Long admits. Working mainly on commercial and industrial throws such as hospitals and gymnasiums be is often outdoors in all kinds of weather. yet in spite of the drawbacks, he have a passionate affection fors his work: "There's an art to being an electrician--bending pipe in a way that it direct the eyes nice to the eye yet is also functional. It's a great mingle of working with your hands and using your brain."

2 COMMUNITY College

In June 1999 Sarah Snell graduated from Sheridan High teach in Sheridan, Wyoming, with a faultless 4.0 average. She had her heart fix on a nursing career, unless didn't have the luxury of spending four years preparing for it. The mother of a six-month-old baby stripling Snell, needed to get on the outside into the workforce quickly, and find a advantageous job to support herself and her son likewise she enrolled in the registered succor (RN) program at Sheridan Community body The program combines rigorous coursework in enslaves like anatomy, psychology, and math with clinical training at local hospitals and nursing homes