Just Getting Any College Degree Can Be a Huge Mistake
In my last post,” Is a college education still worth the price?” I talked about some of the college majors that do not have a very good employment outlook. In this article I will discuss why many colleges and universities offer these majors knowing there is little demand in the workplace for these majors.
Traditionally the purpose of a higher education was to develop the scholarly skills of the student. For these scholars the university was a place of refuge from the world wherein to explore and develop their intellectual pursuits.
Those days have long passed and what students and their parents are looking for is for the degree earned to be more than just a scholarly pursuit. The degree needs to provide job opportunities.
Sadly, many universities are missing the mark and instead placing their emphasis on facilities and amenities rather than on the economic utility of the degrees they confer.
There are many campuses that are filled with cutting edge facilities that are only slightly related to learning. I am talking about, first class health and workout facilities, luxurious dinning commons, and top of the line sports facilities. Of course, there is nothing wrong with these amenities as long as the basic learning is not sacrificed.
Why is this happening
First, students are having a hard time completing any type of degree and universities do not want to lose the dollars those students bring.
For example, in a recent study entitled, “Academically Adrift” reported on a large sample of students attending 29 American four year colleges. The results showed that 36% of the students had no gains in learning in their four years.
This is alarming especially when we consider that 40% of those who begin a four-year program do not graduate. By the way, this statistic doubles when we look at those attending a junior college.
Secondly, a report in The Economist showed U.S. government statistics revealing that U.S. High school seniors’ proficiency scores for science, math, reading, and writing all declined between 1992 and 2005.
What this all means is that many universities are “dumbing down” their curricula in order to maintain their enrollment levels. Students are also choosing the easiest classes available in a path toward a degree. Many students simply think that a “degree is a degree” and some employer will offer them a job simply because they have a degree.
However, as the news reports show, there are many high-skilled jobs that go unfilled because there are no qualified applicants. In other words, today having a college degree does not mean anything unless that person has the skills and abilities employers are looking for. No longer do employers place any value on a person just having a degree. They must have the necessary skills to do the job or they are no better off than someone who never attended college.
Today, more than ever planning for college is critical and involves a lot more than just picking a name brand university. Not all universities are good at everything and not all universities are a good fit for your student.
When I meet with a parent and their student we choose the best fit and best program based on what is unique to the student. I bring the most comprehensive and current information about each campus and what it “really” has to offer. At times, some of the so called, “best colleges” may actually be the worst choice for your student.
Armed with this information parents and students are able to make the best choice that will provide them with best economic utility for their efforts and money. You are invited to come to my next workshop where I reveal some of the latest information. You can find more information on these college workshops by clicking here.
In the next post we will continue to explore the future trends of higher education.