Education: Consider what path is best for you
Local high school students spent the morning job shadowing our Magic Mile Media and Neuse News team recently.
“I want to see students spend less time and money trying to be like their parents or their peers.”
Dear High School Students (and parents),
The other week I had an opportunity to go to a Manufacturing Day, where local manufacturers from around the area set up booths to show students from throughout the region what their businesses were all about. Some of them had 3D printers, some had robots and some had virtual reality devices … all really cool stuff!
While talking to some of the organizers and community college representatives there, the epiphany hit me that our country’s culture for a long time has celebrated the four-year (or six- or eight-year) degree, while discounting vocational and technical education.
I’m all for getting your four-year college degree…I have one. Depending on what you want to do in life, that piece of paper can get you in the door of a great opportunity. That access, that starting line can lead you to a very successful career.
There are 30 million jobs in the U.S. that pay an average of $55,000 per year and don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
But I also believe that some students are paying way too much for these four-year degrees and many are not taking advantage of our community college system.
The two years at a community college can help you realize what you’re good at or, more importantly, what you’re passionate about. Because many don’t take the time to do an internship or apprenticeship, the complete four-year degree can turn into more of a cost than it’s worth.
I see students and families make decisions about four-year schools without ever really considering that our society is willing to pay people to do other things for a living. At the Manufacturing Day, there were utility companies, welders, clearing and grading companies, and more all of which take skills that we absolutely need in our marketplace and in our society.
Many times, in fact, those companies are willing to train you or partner with the community college to reduce your out-of-pocket expenses in gaining those skills.
I served on the statewide NCWorks Commission for two years. This organization is responsible for supporting an infrastructure to reduce unemployment by matching education to the skills needed in our marketplace. There are 94 Career Centers across the state, including Kinston, Trenton and Snow Hill to help you find work … to follow your passion.
According to an article produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focusing on education, vocational education enrollment is dropping. In California, where the study was focused, the share of students in vocational programs dropped to 28 percent from 31 percent in 2000. Though that may not seem like a lot, the push for high school students to pursue four-year degrees after graduation has been going on for decades, and as older skilled workers age into retirement, that leaves many industries with huge employment shortages.
“Consider what path is best for YOU.”
The article reports that many of the issues with encouraging vocational education have to do with a certain image. In fact, California is dedicating $6 million to a campaign to change those perceptions of vocational education, because the truth is that the facts and benefits of vocational education are too good to ignore.
Vocational programs, which often include specialized certifications, can add tens of thousands of dollars to yearly income.
There are 30 million jobs in the U.S. that pay an average of $55,000 per year and don’t require a bachelor’s degree.
Graduates with a vocational education are more likely to be employed after graduation and are especially more likely to find employment in their field of study.
I’m big on following your passion and going all-in on your strengths. I want to see students spend less time and money trying to be like their parents or their peers. There’s no single right way that’s mapped out for you, so I want to encourage you to go after what you really want in life, whatever that is.
Sometimes that may mean getting a vocational education at a community college. And that’s an amazing option because they supply a lot of the education that our society and the local market’s need. I cannot stress enough how important that is to our community.
Sometimes that may mean pursuing your Bachelor’s Degree and Master’s Degree...the market needs you too.
Sometimes that may mean joining our military, serving, then furthering your education (compliments of the U.S. taxpayer).
You’re at the age that you can still make a lot of mistakes and recover from them. I don’t mean mistakes like robbing a bank...that’s just stupid...but it’s okay if you make some tough life decisions that are ultimately proven wrong.
I just want you to follow your heart, follow your dreams, and go all-in on your strengths.
Then consider what path is best for YOU.
To your success,
BJ