Polytechnic universities focus on practical, career-oriented skills, offering an alternative to traditional universities

By: Kelly Droege, University of Wisconsin-Stout and Laura Reisinger, University of Wisconsin-Stout, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: December 11, 2025

Words: 1,078

Last Updated: 1 month ago

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By Kelly Droege, University of Wisconsin-Stout and Laura Reisinger, University of Wisconsin-Stout

For decades, a four-year college degree was widely seen as the standard path to getting most midlevel jobs in the United States. It was the expected entry point for getting a job as a marketing specialist, project manager, IT support analyst, among other roles.

But this expectation is shifting. Many fields – including cybersecurity, health care and advanced manufacturing – are facing …

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