Many students don’t go right to college and also don’t have vocational training. Once graduated, they’re “off the radar screen”.
According to a December 2009 study by The Public Agenda, post-secondary students have complex issues that undercut their ability to completion their education and training:
• Among students in four-year schools, 45 percent work more than 20 hours a week.
• Among those attending community colleges, 6 in 10 work more than 20 hours a week, and
more than a quarter work more than 35 hours a week.
• Twenty-three percent of college students have dependent children.
They are desperate for enhanced guidance and we are desperate to give it to them. In an article for the National Career Development Association, Dr. Janet Wall points out that the US ranks 20 of out 28 in high school graduation rates and 12th in college graduation, the likely long-range impact to our economy is frightening.
It’s not academics that hold these folks back; according to research, it’s stress, problems with work/life/school balance and costs. They don’t lack potential; They lack support.
And the problem starts early: It’s no secret that high school counselors are overworked; particularly in public schools. In private schools, they often focus on admission into prestigious colleges. Few have the resources to intervene with the average student, who may not know how to advocate for him or herself; who doesn’t know the job and college/training options that are out there. They can’t even ask the right questions to get actionable information.
How criminal that they often must struggle only to fail and leave training with a greater, not lesser, burden: student loans
But they can tell us what they need: They need college and training to be more convenient and more affordable. A great majority say part-time financial aid and flexible course scheduling would be key to their success.
Many of us can help: Rather than dropping this societal issue in the laps of high school counselors, the whole school staff should be focused on it. Employers, community, politicians, parents, foundations, nonprofits share the vision and can share programming resources.
Contact us for college and career planning.
My mission is to empower youth with: - The knowledge about career possibilities, and the education and training needed to attain them - The creative-thinking and emotional skills that make for good career decisions and which employers prefer; - And the resilience needed to flourish in life.
