With the rising cost of colleges and the small amount of applicable knowledge that is learned from gaining a bachelor’s degree, attending college can seem a necessary but unfulfilling choice. Many employers suggest or require a bachelor’s degree before hiring a candidate. However, although a degree is necessary for the doctor and engineer, how many students actually need a degree to obtain a job in the corporate world? How many employers would rather hire someone who has practical work experience over a new college graduate? Since most employers require you to have some type of work experience or internships before being hired, it seems more sensible to gain a large amount of work experience with your education.

One way to gain work experience is to work part time in the field of your desired profession while attending school. It also helps to make an amiable working relationship with your professors. Try to gain as many networking contacts as possible before graduating so you can gain more job prospects before graduating.

Another option is to complete one or more internships while attending school. This will give you access into the industry of your choice and gain valuable contacts. The more experience you have, the more hirable you are. The employer sees it as a way to save money and time on training, and to eliminate the risk of choosing an undesirable employee.

Finally, you can avoid college altogether by completing an apprenticeship. Similar to an internship, an apprenticeship gives you work experience. It also sets you up with a professional, personal mentor to educate you on the inside workings of the industry, as well as supplying some book knowledge about the industry. Typically, a mentorship costs thousands less than the $30,000 per year college debt. Many mentor programs are flexible enough to work around your job schedule. Since mentor programs are applicable only to the industry of your choice, they are faster to complete than a college education, taking months rather than years.