A college degree and trade school shouldn’t be the only two options for students

When I was in middle school, I loved watching Who’s the Boss starring Tony Danza and Judith Light. Light’s character, Angela Bower, was an advertising executive who pitched big ideas for commercials to her company. In my mind, this type of job only existed on television. I didn’t know anyone in the field and never heard my teachers talk about this career path.

But I also loved my woodshop classes. I found joy in creating things and watching my designs take shape over time. When I reflect on my childhood in the 1980s, my career possibilities were endless. Then something changed.

As a first-generation college student, born and raised in Southwest Philadelphia, I was pushed to pursue the traditional career path: to become a lawyer, doctor, or teacher. This path was often presented as the only way to have a successful career, live comfortably, and raise a family — especially as a Black woman. What I did not learn was the astronomical amount of student loan debt associated with not only these careers but a college degree.

Not only do college-educated Black women make less than their male counterparts, but we also hold more debt upon graduating. A 2021 report from the American Association of University Women shows that Black women borrow an average of $37,558 to attend college, more than any other racial and ethnic group. When you throw in the gender pay gap, which widens with age, it’s becoming more difficult than ever for Black women to pay off our student loans. The goal post just keeps on moving.

I am in no way diminishing the value of a bachelor’s degree (I am a proud Temple alum). Nor am I saying we should push every low-income student to pursue a trade while their middle- and upper-class peers go off to college. I am suggesting — or rather imploring — that institutions of higher education prioritize both as viable educational opportunities.

One way to achieve this would be to intentionally design career and technical education certificate programs into stackable credentials. That way students can earn their credentials, start working, and eventually return to apply those same credits toward an associate degree if they choose to do so. Community College of Philadelphia currently offers several certificate programs — including automotive technology and CNC precision machining technology — that do just that.

For the past eight years, I have had the pleasure of working at CCP coaching and preparing students to pursue their dreams. For some students, this is an associate degree. Others are searching for short-term programs where they can quickly obtain a credential and start working in order to make family-sustaining wages.

Over the past few years, there has been major contention between advocates of a college degree and supporters of the trades. Why do students have to choose between the two? With the grand opening of our new state-of-the-art Career and Advanced Technology Center this fall, students will no longer have to choose.

One of the reasons I chose to work in education more than 20 years ago was to ensure that I played a role in helping students explore all of their educational options. Students deserve flexible learning options that meet their needs, passions, and interests — not just what’s trendy.

Community College of Philadelphia’s Career and Advanced Technology Center, located in West Philadelphia, will give residents who are interested in pursuing hands-on short-term certificate programs and credit-bearing degree programs an opportunity to pursue their passion, all without compromising their ability to earn a living wage to take care of their families.

I was raised knowing that if you can see it, you can achieve it. It’s time we better introduce students to trade careers beyond what they see on television. For some students, this could include certificate programs that train for well-paying jobs within a few months. Other students may be more interested in dual enrollment opportunities that allow them to earn associate degrees in these fields, in addition to their high school diplomas. Either way, we will be providing students with hands-on learning and connecting them with real-life professionals to show that these are sustainable career options where they can succeed and thrive.

Ayanna Washington is the executive director of Community College of Philadelphia’s Career and Advanced Technology Center (CATC). CATC-related questions can be directed to catc@ccp.edu.