Consider this:

• People who have an education beyond high school increase their earning potential and job opportunities. Based on lifetime earnings that can mean 36% to 44% more than those who have only a high school degree.
   
• Those with a high school diploma earn a median income of $27,000/year, while those with an Associate Degree (2 years) earn a median income of $34,000/year, and those with a College Degree (4 years or more) earn a median income of $49,000/year according to the Oregon Employment Department.
   
• Your chance of being unemployed at some time almost doubles if you have only a high school diploma.
   
• You are graduating into a high tech world and the fastest growing jobs will be those that require higher levels of education and skill. You have approximately 45 years of employment ahead of you - how do you want to spend that time?

Education beyond high school does not have to be a four-year degree:

• Two-year community colleges are an excellent place to begin exploring career options. You can study anything from Accounting or Auto Repair to Wildland Fire Technology or Winemaking. A student can attain a certificate in a specific field, and Associate Degree or be in the transfer track to a four-year school.
   
• If two more years of education sounds like a lifetime consider a certificate program. Career opportunities in these programs are also endless from Aviation Maintenance to Radio-TV Videography to Dental Assisting. Certificate Programs vary in time commitment from a few months to a year.
   
• A technical school may be the best answer to satisfy your interests. Key technology jobs will increase by an average of 80% by 2012 according to the U.S. Department of Labor. An interest in electronics, computers, and the Internet could lead to a career in Telecommunications or Computer-aided Drafting or Industrial Design.