When considering continuing your education, you might think that college is the only way to go. While college offers aspiring students many opportunities, trade schools (also known as vocational schools) are becoming more and more popular for good reason. At Prism Career Institute, we are proud to offer practical nursing and medical assistant training programs in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that help prepare you for the workforce. Here, we explore the potential advantages you’ll find if you turn to trade school over college.
Benefits of a Trade School
Colleges and trade schools each provide intensive education to help students thrive after graduation. However, there are perks to choosing a trade school that many might not know about, including:
Individual Attention From Instructors
Many college courses require you to sit in large rooms with plenty of other students. Some even take place in lecture halls which can have you sitting alongside hundreds of your peers during classes. While this is great for the colleges themselves, it’s not great for students who want to get more from their education.
At trade schools, many classes contain only 10 to 25 students, which creates a more engaging learning atmosphere. You’ll have a much easier time getting questions answered and can create more impactful relationships with your instructors thanks to increased one-on-one instruction time.
A Clearer Focus
Colleges are a great choice for those still trying to figure out what they want to do, but those who already know the field in which they’re looking to work will benefit from trade schools. Trade schools offer dedicated programs with curriculums built around honing particular skills, so students can expect to avoid wasting time in classes that don’t help them just to fulfill credit requirements. These streamlined schools are also helpful for those who are attending classes later in life, as well as those who have jobs and need an option that can work around their schedule.
Employers Can Trust Your Background
Those with a college education may find that much of their knowledge and training doesn’t directly translate to the field in which they end up entering. This not only makes it harder to get jobs but also makes it more work for employers who need to train them further. For those who have gone to trade school, employers will be able to trust these potential hires have received the education and training needed to excel in their industry.
Job Security
One of the most important aspects to consider when seeking an education is how likely it is that you can enjoy long-term success in your chosen field. While college provides a lot of choices, trade schools offer a focus on roles and industries that provide stable careers. Jobs in the medical field, for instance, are consistently going to be needed around the world. This not only allows graduates to find work more easily but allows them to feel confident that their skill set will be necessary for years to come.
Short, Affordable Programs
Since trade schools offer a streamlined education, you can expect to complete them much quicker than you would complete a bachelor’s degree at a college. Passionate instructors teaching focused material to small class sizes help students obtain all the critical information they need in a fraction of the time. This means you can get out into the working world sooner, allowing you to get more real-world experience under your belt.
Most trade school programs are also much less expensive than traditional colleges. The annual cost of tuition at a trade school is far less expensive than most private colleges and is often less expensive than public colleges. Additionally, with students only needing to take courses for a year or two rather than the full four years colleges may require, you’ll enjoy significant savings. This means you’ll be able to focus more on learning the ins and outs of your prospective field and less on how you’re going to make your payments.
Our Trade School Programs
At Prism Career Institute, we understand how difficult it may seem to further your education. That’s why we’ve developed programs that give students the knowledge and training they need to excel in their chosen field. We offer both Medical Assistant and Practical Nursing programs to help those looking to get into the medical field hone their skills.
Medical Assistant Program
Our Medical Assistant program is available at all three of our locations in Philadelphia, PA, Cherry Hill, and West Atlantic City, NJ. This hands-on program provides extensive knowledge in important subjects like pharmacology, phlebotomy, anatomy and physiology, and medical law and ethics, helping graduates feel comfortable and confident as they enter the workforce. The program is offered as both day and evening courses, allowing students to get their education whenever it works best for their lifestyle.
The program requires 720 total course hours and takes about 40 weeks to complete. These course hours are split up between lectures (both in-class and online), lab training, and externships, giving students a well-rounded education that they’ll appreciate as they start their careers. After completing the program, graduates can take the Certified Clinical Medical Assistant (CCMA) exam offered by the National Healthcare Association (NHA). Prism Career Institute will even cover the exam fee.
Practical Nursing Program
Our Practical Nursing program is available at both our Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill, NJ, campuses. The program helps students become proficient in the responsibilities of a practical nurse, including clinical, administrative, laboratory, and personal care tasks. The mix of classwork and lab work helps aspiring practical nurses prepare for what the profession has in store for them.
This program also allows students to enroll in day or evening/weekend schedules, with the day program taking around 63 weeks to complete, and the evening/weekend program taking closer to 70 weeks to complete. Once students have finished the program, they may be eligible to apply to the PA or NJ State Board of Nursing, allowing them to take the National Council Licensure Examination for Practical Nursing (NCLEX-PN).
If you’re having trouble deciding between these two excellent program options, consider taking the online Prism Healthcare Career Readiness Quiz. This short quiz will help you better understand your professional strengths, identify your career goals, and see which positions might be best for you.
Join Our Trade School Today
Whether you’re just out of high school and are ready for the next step or are older and want to find a career you’ll love, enroll at Prism Career Institute. Our campuses in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ provide students with the resources that will help guide them into the future. Our trade school is dedicated to assisting students from day one until well after graduation.
We provide financial aid services to students who qualify to help make education more affordable, offering loans, grants, and other forms of assistance. Another way we help outside of the classroom is through our career services department. Our team will work with you to help you write resumes and cover letters, practice for interviews, and make important industry contacts. If you’re interested in learning more about any of our trade school programs or have any questions, contact us today.