An increasing number of high school graduates are turning to vocational college training programs for a quick and cost-efficient route to a respectable paycheck. At last count, 11,000,000 students were enrolled in career and technical programs, according to the Association of Career and Technical Education.

Just Months to a Diploma

"For many they can be out the door with a superb college degree very quickly," declares Larry Barton, president of Heald College in San Francisco (heald.edu). His school, for example, offers 18-month associate degrees, 12-month diplomas, and six to nine-month technical certification training programs.

Heald has nine campuses in Northern California - from Sacramento to Fresno. Their programs prepare students for some of the most in-demand careers in accounting, business software applications, computer business administration, computer technology, electronics technology, hospitality and tourism, medical assisting, and medical office administration.

Certification is available in such areas as networking technology, Cisco Systems networking, Microsoft and Windows.

Barton says a degree accelerates earning power and is the best investment in the future. Graduates are already on the road to being promoted, earning health benefits and stock options.

Barton recalls at a recent graduation "many of [the graduates'] friends who were working at the mall or similar jobs came up . . . and said they wished they had gone to [vocational] college. They need to wake up, get up and jump-start their career."

Education is also more affordable today, with financial aid readily available at low interest rates.

Recruiters at Your Doorstep

Barton asserts technical schools can help reduce or even eliminate the job search stress a four-year college graduate may experience. Heald helps match the right graduates with the right jobs, providing such activities as job fairs, on-campus interviews, federal work-study, internships, and job shadowing.

"Our students are finding jobs because we partner with large corporations such as Intel and Pac Bell," he states. "Many students start to work the morning after graduation."

He says employers like hiring qualified employees at no cost. The programs are designed to help graduates hit the ground running the first day on the job.

High-Tech Training

Those interested in working in the medical field should check out the programs avail-able at High-Tech Institute in Sacramento (hightechschools.com). Its seven to 20 month courses of study focus on careers in medical and dental assistant, surgical technologist, massage therapist and X-ray technician. Day and evenings classes are offered.

ITT Technical Institute (itt-tech.edu), with four locations in Northern California (Santa Clara, Hayward, Rancho Cordova and Lathrop), offers employment-focused education in computer drafting technology and electronics engineering technology.

Unlike many traditional colleges, where students spend most of their time listening to lectures, vocational college programs often involve much more hands-on experience. ITT Tech students spend considerable time in the lab, where they apply what was taught in the classroom and see for themselves how, why and what makes things work.

Emphasis is placed on helping students begin to develop skills and knowledge in technical areas that can have practical value in the workplace. Besides technical instruction, the programs offered at ITT Tech focus on helping the student develop problem solving, critical thinking, communication and teamwork skills.

Anxious to Work

"We see a lot of high school graduates who don't want to spend a couple of years to get a degree then start looking for work," reports Kimber Bonzi, associate director of Modesto Institute of Technology (modesto tech.net). "Most of them want to go directly into the workforce."

The school has 12 different courses including computer networking, electronics communication, web development and programming, multimedia, human resources and network software. Most are about eight and one-half months long. Laptop computers are included in the program.

"Most of our students have been playing with computers for many years and want to find out which end of it they want to pursue as a career," Bonzi notes. "They might want to do something with web design or troubleshooting; there is such a variety.

"We keep up with the constant changes in technology and have advisory boards for all the courses made up from people in that specific industry," she states. "These people can be key when it comes time to employ the graduates."

Fashionable Choice

The Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising in San Francisco (fidm.com) has programs in merchandising, interior design, fashion design, visual presentation and product development.

FIDM's philosophy is: "Do what you love and you will be successful." Since most of the students' classes begin in their specialized major, they are able to concentrate on their passion sooner than at most other institutions of traditional education. The faculty teaches students both the practical and theoretical sides. By blending education with industry, the school says students acquire both a career identity and a degree.

It is not necessary to take general education courses before attending. While some of the students have completed some general education courses at other colleges or hold prior degrees, a large percentage of the student body comes directly from high school.

"I think the reason people come to a college like ours is to explore the industry and discover there are other facets and opportunities including textile and product design," says Sharon Ryan, executive director of industry relations.

In addition to the two-year program, there are two advance study programs involving international study. Students travel to Italy to work with the shoe designers and international manufacturers. Others go to Paris to preview the fabrics that will be used in fall 2002 and winter 2003 design collections.

"It's a business that is not all glamour; it takes a lot of hard work," Ryan points out. "I think it's an industry and a business that is constantly looking for fresh ideas and creativity."

Qualities undoubtedly sought in several of the challenging careers taught at a wide variety of California vocational schools.

Contact schools listed in this article at:

• Heald College - (800) 999-9204, heald.edu
• High-Tech Institute - (916) 929-9700, hightechschools.com
• ITT Technical Institute - (800) 488-8466, itt-tech.edu
• Modesto Institute of Technology - (209) 545-3100, modestotech.net
• Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandizing - (415) 433-6691, fidm.com