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College, Training, or Apprenticeship?
South Dakota Facts
100

This healthcare profession provides direct patient care and is one of South Dakota's most in-demand occupations.

What is a Registered Nurse?

100

Which career often earns more in South Dakota: Teacher or Dental Hygienist?

What is a Dental Hygienist?

100

This career joins metal pieces together using heat and specialized equipment.

What is a Welder?

100

This pathway usually allows students to earn money while training.

What is an Apprenticeship?

100

Name one industry that is important to South Dakota's economy.

Healthcare, Agriculture, Construction, Manufacturing, Tourism, Transportation

200

This skilled trade installs and repairs electrical systems in homes and businesses.

What is an Electrician?

200

True or False: Every high-paying career requires a four-year college degree.

What is False?

200

This trade works with pipes, water systems, and drainage systems.

What is a Plumber?

200

Technical colleges often prepare students for careers in healthcare, manufacturing, and these occupations.

What are Skilled Trades?

200

Which South Dakota industry relies heavily on diesel technicians?

What is Agriculture?

300

This occupation works with tractors, semis, and heavy equipment using both tools and computers.

What is a Diesel Technician?

300

Name the technology career on today's list that often earns over $100,000.

What is a Software Developer?

300

This type of program allows students to earn a paycheck while learning a trade.

What is an Apprenticeship?

300

This option usually takes between one and two years and focuses on specific job skills.

What is a Technical Diploma or Associate Degree?

300

True or False: South Dakota employers are experiencing worker shortages in many occupations.

What is True?

400

This occupation takes X-rays and diagnostic images for doctors.

What is a Radiologic Technologist (X-Ray Tech)?

400

This construction career often earns six figures while overseeing budgets, schedules, and workers.

What is a Construction Manager?

400

Name two benefits of pursuing a skilled trade after high school.

Earn while learning; Less student debt; High demand; Strong wages; and Job security

400

Which career pathway would most likely involve a bachelor's degree: Teacher, Welder, or Electrician?

What is Teacher?

400

Name one reason employers value soft skills.

Communication, Teamwork, Reliability, Problem Solving

500

This career helps people recover from injuries and regain movement.

What is a Physical Therapist?

500

Many people are surprised that this healthcare career commonly requires only a two-year degree and still pays very well.

What is a Dental Hygienist?

500

Many construction managers started in this type of career before moving into leadership.

What are the Skilled Trades?

500

Name three pathways students can take after high school.

Four-year college, Technical college, Apprenticeship, Military

500

Besides pay, name one thing students should consider when choosing a career.

Interests, Skills, Work environment, Benefits, Work-life balance, Advancement opportunities