• College is not for every student right after high school.  Some student's need time to mature, experience life, and decide what they are truly interrested in pursuing prior to attending college.  The following options may help these students:

    California Conservation Corp

    The California Conservation Corps is a state agency that puts together young people and the environment, to the benefit of both. Corpsmembers -- young men and women between the ages of 18 and 25 -- sign up for a year of working outdoors to improve California's natural resources.  They also assist with emergency response: fighting fires, floods, earthquakes and pest infestations while learning valuable marketable skills.  For students needing to finish high school, the Corp offers offers members the oportunity to earn their diploma.  The CCC, modeled after the original Civilian Conservation Corps of the 1930s, is the oldest and largest conservation corps now in operation.  Created by Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr. in 1976, more than 120,000 young people have been a part of the CCC since that time.  For more information, visit http://www.ccc.ca.gov.

    Job Corp

    Job Corp is a educational and job training program funded by the Department of Labor.  The program is completely FREE to young men and women ages 16-24.  Job Corp offers hands on training in a wide range of trades including carpentry, plumbing, culinary arts, health care, landscaping, fire prevention and much more. Corp members can even earn their high school diploma in the program. Room and board are also included for free.  Click on this link to learn more about the program or go to https://www.jobcorps.gov/ to apply. 

    Military Service

    The benefits can be great for students unsure about their dream career or for those looking forward to a career serving their country.  Military service comes with the promise of the G.I. Bill benefits for those who serve that can translate into making a college degree affordable while providing structure, skill training, and a job along the way.  For information on enlisting click the appropriate link below:

    Please Note:  All males are required by law to register with Selective Service once they turn 18 to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid for college. This does not enlist you in the military.  It only provides the government with a ready source of servicemen should a draft be reinstated. Register for the Selective Service at https://www.sss.gov/.

    Apprenticeship Programs

    Looking to find on the job training?  Check out the State of California's listings of apprenticeship programs at https://www.dir.ca.gov/databases/das/aigstart.asp.  Numerous positions are listed in the labor and construction industies by county.  Learn a skill that can lead to a career.

     Certificate Programs

    Earning a certificate in a field of interest can often lead to a well paying job without extensive education.  Programs are offered through ROP, Community Colleges, and private trade schools.  Certificate programs offer students the opportunity to work for a while, earn money, and then consider their options for returning to school should they want to advance their career.  Click here for more insight as to how certificate programs benefit a student.

    Gap Year

    Sometimes students are not quite ready to continue their formal education right after high school.  Make the most of your gap year with Omio's Gap Year Guide.  Learn about travel opportunites, volunteering abroad and internship programs in Europe.  The site offers organizational steps for maximizing your year.