Jobs, volunteering can earn school credit

MAT-SU — Since the beginning of time (or at least high school), students have complained about how little bearing classes have on real life. The valuable skill of finding hidden metaphors in “Catcher in the Rye” aside, this can be true. Luckily, there is a new option for students that helps them earn high school and college credit.

For students working full-time jobs, there is a program that allows them to receive extracurricular credit. The Work Co-op program allows students who are employed to earn 1.5 credits for every 255 hours they work. For students who are working, this allows them to free up their schedules or pursue other classes.

If you are not gainfully employed or you love to volunteer, there is also a program for you. The Volunteer Co-op program is very similar to the Work Co-op program. You work the same number of hours for the same amount of credits. The only difference is that instead of a job, you can volunteer at places around the Valley. If you are interested in animals, you can work at the shelter. If helping others is more up your alley, you can volunteer at the Boys and Girls Blub. There are many options and there is something for everybody.

These co-op program benefits seem to outweigh the hassle of paperwork. Students earn credit without going to classes. This can be a great option for students who are behind in credits or want to take more classes. This can even help students who want to get off school a bit earlier. Volunteers can benefit the community and do work that will look good on job and college applications.

Speaking of college, Mat-Su Career and Technical High School also offers credits for colleges in Alaska and some in other states. The credits, called tech prep, are offered specifically for technical classes. For example, medical students can take CNA classes, and for 25 dollars a credit, can also have those credits count toward college. Some students have put this opportunity to good use. They have been able to save hundreds of dollars and many semesters in college.

The tech prep credits are offered specifically for technical education classes like desktop publishing, hotel management and medical terminology. These are just a few of the classes you can take and receive both high school and college credit.

If you are thinking about going to college in Alaska and are taking technical classes, you can ask your teacher about signing up for classes. It is 25 dollars per credit, much less then it would be in college.

Between Volunteer and Work Co-op and tech prep, opportunities abound for students to further their education outside of high school. This is a great option that every high school student should consider. Even if your education plans change, a couple extra credits never hurt anyone.

Sophie Harris is a Junior at Mat-Su Career and Technical High School.