The Foreign Service Journal, December 2018

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | DECEMBER 2018 99 H ere’s something all parents have in common: they want what is best for their children. This goes for both educational pursuits and career aspirations. The trick is, how does one define what is best? Parents want their children to be happy, successful and thoughtful. So how do they channel their children’s natural strengths and abilities into the ideal post-high school educational path? One option that is often overlooked is the vocational tech- nical post-secondary path for Foreign Service children. This could be in lieu of, or in addition to, a traditional four-year college track. Contemporary society offers complex educational choices—choices that can leave parents and students feeling overwhelmed.While reviewing educational options, they might find themselves pondering the true purpose of educa- tion. How does one navigate the financial cost of college and the troubling implications of student debt for young adults? And how can parents ensure—or at least increase the odds— that the skills young people gain relate to the demands of the competitive job market? Several Foreign Service families have addressed these difficult questions by exploring vocational technical school options. Here are some reasons why vocational technical schools can be considered an attractive choice. First, they teach concrete skills that graduates can apply in the job market. Many technical skills are in short supply today and are sorely needed by industry due to the changing nature of labor demands. For example, technical skills such as those used in the construction trades are now in high demand and cannot be outsources. The work must be done on site, with the available local labor. Second, this path to remunerative employment is typically faster and targeted to a specific career. Students take any- where from two to five years (often including apprenticeships or other working periods) to complete a program to become certified or to earn a degree. Marybeth Hunter is the education and youth officer in the State Department’s Family Liaison Office. She traveled over- seas with her Foreign Service family for more than 21 years, and has worked as a teacher and a community liaison office coordinator abroad. To see her complete article, including a resources list, go to www.afsa.org/education. FROM THE FSJ EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT JUNE 2018 The Vocational Education Option: A Student’s Search for Meaning in Today’s Economy BYMARYBETH HUNTER