COVID-19 has probably thrown a wrench or two into your plans for the 2020-2021 school year. Travel plans may not be in the cards for you this school year. There are still so many options to make the most of your time and to prepare from your region and from your home.

Congratulations to the Class of 2020! You did it! I am sure that this senior year was not what you expected for your last semester in high school and there may be some unknown waters ahead, such as your postsecondary education plans. A lot is in the air, and one option I hear in the news and with my colleagues is deferring your enrollment. I am hoping that this blog post helps you explore some of your deferment options.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I had seen more and more advertising about online classes and education. However, moving forward, does an online education fit your learning style? Is it the best option for you? I am sure some of you have figured out that there is more to it than staying in our pajamas all day (or any other stereotype people can think of). Let’s look at some quick pros and cons to online education:

Wow! COVID-19 is probably giving you more time to reflect on your current employment status. Do you like what you do? Do you have a postsecondary credential you’ve been interested in getting, or finishing? Are you balancing your work life and home life well? Are you looking to move from a job to a career? Maybe you are looking for a promotion, or you’re looking to provide an example of life-long learning to your kids. Not sure where to start or how to make the right decisions for you? A...

Paying for college can turn out to be a scavenger hunt for funds, but when it comes to achieving your goals, nothing should stop you, not even the net cost. Financial resources for college or career training are in place to help you effectively pay for your postsecondary education. Here are a few helpful tips to get you started on your own financial resource scavenger hunt:

Whenever I present on postsecondary options, I always start by explaining what I mean by “postsecondary education” – any educational program after high school or GED such as: workforce skills & career training, vocational/technical program, apprenticeships, associate & bachelor degrees, or military career/ROTC.

Have you read about registered apprenticeship programs and thought it could be the right education/career pathway for you, but aren’t sure if you have enough skills to be successful in it? Have you wondered if an occupation you’ve set your sights on and want to pursue as a registered apprentice will be the right fit for you? If you’ve answered yes, the solution to these dilemmas/challenges may be a pre-apprenticeship program, and here are the reasons why.

Being the first to do anything can be exciting and nerve-wracking at the same time. Well, that’s how I felt my senior year in high school, especially since I was a first generation college student .

In the news, you will sometimes hear about the top paying jobs in Alaska. At others times, you might find an article that talks about the fastest growing Alaska industry or occupation. However, you rarely see these two topics linked together when it comes to occupations.

For students who haven’t decided on where to pursue their education next, it may be a bit challenging as many students are home right now as a result of the COVID-19 Pandemic. While it is unknown at this time when life will return back to “normal,” there are still opportunities out there to help you make informed decisions about your next steps. Many institutions and trade schools are increasing their virtual presence to showcase what they have to offer. They can come in many forms, but wh...