Career Certificate
Quicker training for many trades offered by a community college, career training school, or smaller specialty school.
Stephen Huseby, 22
Film Production Certificate
Compass Film Academy
Stephen Huseby describes himself as “pretty much a born actor,” but it took four months working for a charity in Mozambique and South Africa to make him decide to finally pursue his passion for film.
“I was completely by myself with just my camera and computer,” Huseby recalled. “It changed my life."
Confident he has “very unique stories to tell,” the aspiring director and producer enrolled in Compass Film Academy’s one-year film production certificate program in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
In 2003, Huseby graduated from Grand Rapids Baptist High School, where he was active in theater. But he didn’t receive much encouragement from his guidance counselor or family members who thought it “was such a far-fetched dream.”
So Huseby attended Frontier School of the Bible in Wyoming before transferring to Grand Rapids Community College. But when he enrolled in Compass at the urging of his friends, Huseby knew he’d made the right move. “I like that it’s a one-year program and how intense it is, how hands-on,” he said. “The teachers all have to be working in the industry."
Military Training
Opportunities for career certificates, academy degrees or money for college.
Teresa Vigmostad, 19
Sonar Technician
U.S. Navy
Teresa Vigmostad was sitting in a class her senior year in high school while students tried to one-up each other over who was going to the best college.
“I said I was going into the Navy,” Vigmostad recalled, “and the teacher looked at me and said, ‘But aren’t you smart?’”
With a high grade-point average and killer ACT scores, Vigmostad was used to that reaction at Brighton High School, located in an affluent Detroit suburb. But after considering colleges, she realized she was searching for a different challenge after high school.
“I knew I wanted to get out of Michigan,” Vigmostad said. “It was good job training and I’d get to see the world and do it for free.”
After completing boot camp in Illinois and sonar training in San Diego, Vigmostad started a new career in November as a sonar technician. “It’s like The Hunt for Red October," she explained about what she’ll be doing once she’s aboard her ship, the USS McFaul, which sails to European ports. Vigmostad plans to get advanced degrees using Navy tuition assistance.
“A lot of people don’t understand what the military is really like,” Vigmostad said. “It’s definitely made me more independent.”
Associate Degree
2-year degrees for many careers that can also be transferred to start a bachelor’s degree.
Tara Sweet, 20
Practical Nursing Major
Lansing Community College
When Tara Sweet walks into a room, she knows exactly what color to slap on the walls and what corner to lean the bookshelf against. She’s the one her grandmother calls when she needs to redo her kitchen.
Sweet started out in the interior design program two years ago at Lansing Community College, a logical choice only a half-hour from her job and home. This fall, she switched to nursing after talking it over with her mom.
“There are a lot more job opportunities,” she explained. “With interior design, you’re self-employed and it can be hard to find clients.”
Sweet spent most of her time at Danville High School in Danville, Michigan “taking every art class they had,” but now wishes she had spent more time in the science lab. She’s set a goal of finishing her nursing degree in two more years.
“I wish I would have started out in it — I would have been done faster,” Sweet said. “But I’ve really enjoyed college. It’s way better than high school.”
Bachelor’s Degree
Four- to five-year programs available for hundreds of professions.
Shaina Losey, 19
Graphic Design Major
Saginaw Valley State Univ.
Colored pencils and paintbrushes found their way into Shaina Losey’s grip from the time she was 6. Her parents always stocked up on sketchbooks, but they made sure she also brought home A’s and B’s across the board.
Dad Randy Losey works as a car salesman and mom Michel is a church secretary. Neither went to college, so they scrimped and saved to give their daughter that chance.
“I can’t ever remember really ever thinking I wasn’t going to college,” said Shaina Losey, a graduate of Corunna High School, “just like I can’t remember not wanting to be an artist.”
Losey’s school counselor tried to steer her into education, advising her it would be more practical.
But with the support of her parents, Losey settled on nearby Saginaw Valley State University, which sports a solid art department and low tuition.
A graphic art major, Losey said her SVSU adviser is guiding her toward internships to prime her for jobs with magazines postgraduation.
“My parents aren’t concerned that I’ll get a good job,” she said. “They think it’s a good idea that I do something I love.”
Susan J. Demas is a contributing EduGuide editor and a 2006 Knight Foundation fellow.