College admission should not be the ultimate goal of education reform.
The Opportunities Project and eBranding Me announce Solutions for Change in Education, a series of white papers that reveal the shortcomings of higher education’s lack of focus on career development initiatives and highlight potential solutions.
Download the first paper TODAY!
In 2011, new college graduates are facing multiple obstacles in their efforts to launch their first careers, including record student loan debt, prolonged unemployment, and growing employer dissatisfaction with their abilities. Because of expanded job searches coupled with large loan payments, most new graduates will not break even on their investment in their bachelor’s degree more than a decade after they graduate.
In “The Economic Achievement Gap: No End in Sight,” the first white paper in this series, authors Tracy Brisson, Keith Petri and Justin Mathews summarize alarming economic data that illustrates the true scope of the problems our students face in today’s economy and pose questions about whether college career centers can play a role in improving economic outcomes for new graduates. While there is general consensus that higher education has to change, it will take time. The authors identify four solutions colleges could take immediately that could help current students achieve success in the labor market: (1) admit there’s a college to career gap, (2) teach communication and critical thinking skills via the career center, (3) provide special help to at-risk students, and (4) partner with mission-driven coaches and consultants.
“Being a recent graduate who works closely with higher education institutions through my company has allowed me the opportunity to examine the current state of the education system from a unique perspective. said Founder and CEO of eBranding Me, Keith Petri. “My peers are struggling to secure jobs in our weakened economy. Unfortunately, the universities from which we just left, after accumulating substantial student loan debt, are not doing their part. I hope this is a call to action for our education system.”
“After working in education for over a decade, I wanted to provide critical information to K-12 educators, parents, and students about the problems facing students when they graduate,” said Founder and CEO of The Opportunities Project, Tracy Brisson. “While policymakers focus on increased access and accountability issues in higher education, we want to ensure that today’s college students and new graduates are not forgotten in the future-oriented policy debates, and point out that there is help available. It’s unconscionable that students of limited economic means can graduate with over $100,000 in loans and few tangible skills.”
Download the first paper TODAY!
Receive The Latest Posts Directly To Your Email – It’s Free:
