Our Alternatives to 4-Year Colleges mini-unit has undergone a major upgrade! With new activities, a fresh lesson, and updated content, we're excited to offer the latest on career pathways that don’t require a 4-year degree.

What’s New?

This release includes updates to existing lessons covering:

1. The military 
2. Entering the workforce after high school
3. Associate degrees
4. Trade and vocational schools
5. Apprenticeships 
6. Gap years
7. *New Lesson* on Professional certifications

All Nearpod decks have also been updated.

Check out these updates

Four Brand New Activities

All of our lessons include a hands-on DO IT activity. We’ve crafted four new activities aligned to lessons in this mini-unit.

• CALCULATE: Return on Your College Investment
• RESEARCH: Professional Certifications
• PROJECT: Trade School Career Fair Simulation
• CREATE: Personalized Productive Gap Year Plan

What’s going to happen to the old version of the mini-unit?

The previous version of this mini-unit will transition to the Retired Resources spreadsheet and will be available through the end of June 2024. To access Retired Resources, simply visit the NGPF website, click on "Account," and scroll to the Retired Resources section.

About the Author

Dave Martin

Dave joins NGPF with 15 years of teaching experience in math and computer science. After joining the New York City Teaching Fellows program and earning a Master's degree in Education from Pace University, his teaching career has taken him to New York, New Jersey and a summer in the north of Ghana. Dave firmly believes that financial literacy is vital to creating well-rounded students that are prepared for a complex and highly competitive world. During what free time two young daughters will allow, Dave enjoys video games, Dungeons & Dragons, cooking, gardening, and taking naps.