Best Vocational Training School?? trade school or go back to the university...

[loveliketheflowers]

.....I really want to get my degree in college but I have been in and out of college for 6years and still stuck on college algebra (i'm 24yrs now, have taken the course 3times and have not passed yet). I am wondering if I should just give up on university and go to a vocational/trade school where I can get necessary training and hopefully have a chance at finding a job that does not pay $7.50/hr. Any suggestions on good trade/vocational schools? I was reading reviews online this morning on university of phoenix, everest college, and american career college and I read some very bad things about the schools saying they rip people off, the teachers are not that well trained, the school does not really help with employment after graduation, and the schools are very expensive. Does anyone have any suggestions on trade schools (i'm interested in studying either pharmacy technology or medical billing or maybe dental assistant/hygiene, not fully sure yet). I just want to get a job, a good job and be able to take care of myself without the help of my grandparents. I would really like to have my degree from a University but I don't think i'm ever going to pass college algebra and I have 4 other general education courses to finish and then I go on to my major courses. Should I just go back to community college and try college algebra course one more time and stick with it (co-signs, logarithms, and graphing is so hard for me to understand and keep up with the material, i usually do great in the beginning but once the material gets more difficult i get lost and fail on the final and the class) or should I try something new and try out the trade school and if so which one would you suggest (i stay in los angeles area)?? Any help or suggestions?? [thank you]

[Daffy Duck]

How well do you do in your other college courses? I guess my question is -- do you fail at college algebra because you have a difficulty with math, or do you have difficulty with all studying?

A vocational/trade school might be a good idea. Do you have a local community college? Those are often good places to learn a trade.

[loveliketheflowers]

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

How well do you do in your other college courses? I guess my question is -- do you fail at college algebra because you have a difficulty with math, or do you have difficulty with all studying?

A vocational/trade school might be a good idea. Do you have a local community college? Those are often good places to learn a trade.

I did not do that great in my other college courses, barely passing with a C or even worse a D (a D is still passing in college) or just flat out fail the course. Its hard for me to concentrate and study and read the material, I always notice my mind wandering off while I am reading and I think about that subject and then trail off and next thing I know I'm thinking about something else and it has nothing to do with the subject I'm trying to read (and I would have to read 3chapters!). I try to read the book material and I can never seem to get through it. And when a test or exam comes up I am studying the night before and the morning before and I never do that well on test.

And yes I do have a local community college I could go to. Do you think commmunity college would be better than a trade/vocational school? I just really want to get training fast (1yr or 2yr program if possible) and get a job so I can move on. I have been stuck in the college school phase for a while and i'm sick of it. I just want to move on and get a job and move on to the next step. But all jobs require you to have some type of degree or training or experience. It does not seem like I will ever get a good job unless I get the degree. i hate my life.

[Daffy Duck]

Originally Posted by loveliketheflowers

But all jobs require you to have some type of degree or training or experience.

It depends. I don't have any kind of degree and I make more money than a friend who has a Master's degree.

i hate my life.

I hope you can learn not to. Your life is in your hands. The nice thing is that you're here, you know you want to improve, and you're trying to improve. So don't beat yourself up too much!

Many community colleges offer 1yr and 2yr degrees, also known as Associate of Science degrees. A good community college will also help you find a job using that degree. I know many people locally have found jobs and a decent income with their 2yr degree.

If you go to community college, seek all out of the help and materials you can for tutoring and learning how to study. Being able to study well is a learnable skill itself.

[loveliketheflowers]

Originally Posted by Daffy Duck

It depends. I don't have any kind of degree and I make more money than a friend who has a Master's degree.


I hope you can learn not to. Your life is in your hands. The nice thing is that you're here, you know you want to improve, and you're trying to improve. So don't beat yourself up too much!

Many community colleges offer 1yr and 2yr degrees, also known as Associate of Science degrees. A good community college will also help you find a job using that degree. I know many people locally have found jobs and a decent income with their 2yr degree.

If you go to community college, seek all out of the help and materials you can for tutoring and learning how to study. Being able to study well is a learnable skill itself.

thank you for your advice and help.

[aegis]

Community colleges are generally cheaper than trade schools. However, there really aren't many two year degrees that are useful except for perhaps nursing. Pharm techs and medical billers don't make much money ($12-15/hr). Dental hygienist is probably your best option. They pay is very good and there's a high demand. My local community college even offers a 4-year program in dental hygiene. The starting pay is $45k+. Perhaps, you could also look into respiratory therapy. The training is less rigorous than nursing, but you will be able to earn a livable wage after two years of school. You can pursue a bachelors later on if you'd like.

As for general ed courses, see if you can CLEP out of them. Your college may allow it. Also, I don't suggest staying in Los Angeles, or any large city for that matter. There's simply too much competition and the cost of living is too high.

BTW, University of Phoenix is extremely expensive, and Everest College is not fully accredited. There are better options if you want a degree.