Explore more ways to learn.
There’s more to education than college. Trade school, certificate programs, and apprenticeships all give students the valuable tools they need to pursue their career and follow their dreams.
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Education Paths
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An apprenticeship provides paid, hands-on training in a skilled trade and classroom instruction. Your Embark funds can pay for any apprenticeship program registered with the Secretary of Labor’s National Apprenticeships Act.
Potential Careers
Electrician
Plumber
Glazier
Highlights
- Earn a regular paycheck
- Get on-the-job experience
- Learn through guided instruction
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A certificate program focuses on a specific, specialized area of study and offers an assessment or exam where students can earn their professional certificate. Some industries require certificates.
Potential Careers
Chef
Automotive Technician
Physical Therapy Assistant
Highlights
- Jump right into a career
- Prepare for assessments
- Master specialized skills
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In college, students can earn a four-year bachelor’s degree within a broad selection of topics. College is often more focused on areas of study than on future career paths. And some industries require a bachelor’s degree.
Potential Careers
Teacher
Business Manager
Financial Analyst
Highlights
- Explore a wide variety of topics
- Dive into specialized studies
- Pursue a broad variety of career paths
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Community college is a local school where students can pursue their two-year associate's degree. It’s easy to transfer your credits from a community college to a four-year college program, and you can get reduced tuition with the Oregon Promise Grant.
Potential Careers
Paralegal
Engineering Technician
Aircraft Mechanic
Highlights
- Explore flexible courses
- Work and study at the same time
- Easily transfer credits
- Reduced tuition with Oregon Promise Grant
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This is an advanced program where students can pursue their master’s or doctorate degrees. Specific careers and industries require advanced degrees, and students must earn a bachelor’s degree first.
Potential Careers
Doctor
Lawyer
Social Worker
Highlights
- Learn highly specialized skills
- Pursue interests in depth
- Explore a wide range of career opportunities
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A technical college prepares students for a specific career and contains fewer general education credits than a community college. Students can earn an associate’s degree, a technical degree, or a certificate.
Potential Careers
Programmer
Nursing Assistant
Graphic Designer
Highlights
- Study for a specific career
- Earn a variety of degrees
- Start a career sooner
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A trade school provides hands-on training to prepare students for a specific job in the skilled trades. They can be stand-alone institutions or exist as part of a larger community college.
Potential Careers
Carpenter
Markup Artist
Dental Assistant
Highlights
- Master an in-demand skilled trade
- Learn in a small classroom environment
- Jump right into your career
Funding bright futures.
Scholarships help your education savings go further. Check out our Diversity in Leadership Scholarship, which awards $25,000 to high school graduates from underrepresented Oregon communities.