There are certain careers where a four-year college degree is necessary and adds tremendous value.
However, there are more career options available today where a four-year degree can be a waste of time and money. It can be a financial drain and source of anxiety. A two-year degree in a specialty area, where programs are focused and directed at students earning credentials in specific areas they are passionate about and want to build a career in, can be more worthwhile to the student.
Unfortunately, our educational systems are designed with a “one size fits all” experience from K-through-college. Having a strong emphasis on math and science in middle school and high school is necessary to build a good foundation, but even as early as their junior year of high school, some students have begun to understand their strengths and weaknesses as they relate to potential career paths. It is at this point in their development that they deserve more individualized direction, guidance and access to learning in their areas of interest.
After 13 years spent in school from K-12, students have learned an adequate amount of math and science to be functional and well-rounded, unless the career path they choose demands advanced courses in these areas. But if a student wishes to pursue a career as a plumber or an actor, do they have to spend their time and money on additional math and science classes in college? Or, should colleges cater more to the individual student who has a direction for the career he or she wishes to pursue, helping them focus and prepare for that career?
The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists the fastest growing career opportunities over the next seven years, but are our schools paying attention to this? Is it not the goal of our educational institutions to prepare students to earn a living and be contributing members of society? If this is not the case, then educational leaders are missing the boat.
Most higher education institutions are not properly preparing students for life after college. On campus, career services are staffed with people, although well-intentioned, who possess little or no professional HR or staffing experience and guide students based on what they have read or perhaps been taught, but not experienced themselves.
However, with the surge of enrollments for reputable online universities like Kaplan, Phoenix, and many others, the higher education industry has already begun tailoring programs to individual students and is leading the transformation. Many online universities offer and are growing campus facilities across the US. These institutions are focusing on the individual needs of students who know what they want to pursue as a career.
From the way we think to how we process information, to how we communicate and learn, we are all different. These are our greatest strengths as people and as a nation. We need to make sure that our educational institutions offer students at all grade levels the best chance to achieve the American dream, whatever that dream may be.
David Kimmelman is a 20 year veteran of the human resources profession and current general manager of the careers and jobs division of Avenue100 Media Solutions Inc. He can be reached at dkimmelman@avenue100.com.