What If There’s another Option After High School?

OPINION: By Beth Ott, Director of Entrepreneurial Programming at StartingBlock Madison

For as long as most of us can remember, high school seniors have been handed two choices: go to college or get a job.

And while both can be great options, this binary decision-making process ignores a crucial truth: not every student is ready for college. And not every student wants to clock into a 9-to-5 right away either. But that doesn’t mean they’re lazy, unmotivated, or lost. It might just mean they need a third option—one that gives them time, structure, and a chance to build something that’s truly theirs. Traditionally, this role has been filled with going into the trades, or taking a gap year. But what if there is another option?

At StartingBlock, we work with entrepreneurs every day—people who create something out of nothing, who see problems as opportunities, and who are constantly learning by doing. And here’s what we know: some of the most entrepreneurial people out there are 17, 18, 19 years old. They’ve been flipping sneakers, selling baked goods on Instagram, or teaching themselves to code. They’ve already started building. So why not take that energy seriously?

A growing number of students are asking the same question. According to a recent article in The Hechinger Report, interest in gap years is rising—especially among students who feel burnt out, unsure of their direction, or craving real-world experience. Meanwhile, the cost of college continues to rise, and student loan debt is still ballooning, leaving many young people to wonder if four years of lectures and papers are worth the price tag.

One of Beth's many teacher ID's

I’m not anti-college. In fact, I spent 17 years working in education. I believe deeply in learning. But I also believe that education can—and should—take many forms. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t serve the growing number of students who want to start a business, experiment with creative projects, or spend a year developing real-world skills.

That’s why we built Leap Year. It’s a 9-month immersive experience for aspiring entrepreneurs (whether they are recently graduated or taking a break from college) who want to take a different path. They get a reserved desk at StartingBlock (Madison’s hub for innovation), 24/7 access, weekly workshops, mentorship, and—maybe most importantly—a community of builders and doers just like them.

It’s not a replacement for college. It’s a complement to it—or in some cases, a launchpad into something entirely new.

In a 2023 article, Harvard Business Review pointed out that Gen Z values “purpose, autonomy, and meaningful work” over rigid career ladders. So let’s give them the chance to explore what that means before boxing them into a path they might not be ready for.

We need more options. More flexible, supportive, high-growth environments for young people to explore their potential before they rack up debt or burn out on jobs they’re not passionate about.

It’s time to stop asking kids what they’re going to do after high school—and start asking who they want to become.

And for some of them, a leap is exactly what they need.

All opinions are reflective of the author and not StartingBlock as a whole.