Are you a young adult who is uncertain that a four-year college degree program is right for you right now? A four-year degree is one way to prepare for a career, but it is not the only way. Chicagoland CareerPathways will point you to programs that provide on-ramps to rewarding careers, and let you begin earning money in two years or less (often much less).

Throughout this directory, you’ll see the term “progressive pathway” (or ProPath for short).

These programs can help you get started on a pathway so that you can make progress toward achieving a rewarding career.

There are multiple opportunities to explore including community college certificate programs, paid training, or a combination of work and classes — including many that let you earn industry recognized credentials or college credit. Many pathways can also be a step toward an eventual four-year degree.

Click here to read about the types of pathways available.