One of the questions high school seniors are asked the most is what they are planning to do after high school. This can be a difficult question for them to answer because there are so many options. Some may choose to go straight into the workplace or to a four-year university, but six seniors at Yutan High School are choosing to go to a trade school or community college.

One of these students is senior Rylee Kirchmann, who said money factored into her decision.

“I’m going to Southeast Community College in Lincoln because it’s way cheaper than a university. I only need a two-year degree to be a radiology technician, so I will be getting the same education for a lower price and won’t be in debt in the future,” Kirchmann said.

Besides saving money, Kirchmann has found other benefits to community college.

“A major benefit of going to a community college is that the class size will be smaller, so you can get more one-on-one time with your professors and know them more personally, as well as other classmates,” Kirchmann said.

Not only can they offer a more personal experience, but trade schools and community colleges sometimes offer programs that universities don’t, which is why senior Brooklyn Bussing is going down that route. She is planning to get a degree in cosmetology in either Omaha or Lincoln, which is a goal she has had for many years. 

“I’ve been into hair since I was a little girl, so I really just wanted to go to school for hair, which is cosmetology school,” Bussing said. “The thing I’m most excited about for cosmetology is getting to take something that I loved for a long time and explore with it.”

Trade schools might also have less classroom work for those students who are ready to work hands-on and apply what they have already learned. This is what appealed to senior Tyler Royal, who plans to study welding.

“Even though people consider trade school to be similar to college, it’s pretty much just learning how to do your trade, like welding, and not heavily academic based. I will get to work with my hands instead of learning more academically,” Royal said.

Even though Royal is currently weighing his choices, he knows what he is looking for in a school.

“What I look for in a school is a safe working environment where everybody can work on their studies and learn new things,” Royal said.

Whether students are going to a trade school or a community college, they will be gaining knowledge and experiences that will help them later on in life. 

“I’m excited to advance what I learned in high school and figure out what opportunities I am going to have in the future,” Royal said