Choose Your Own Adventure

In his first address to a joint session of congress, former President Barack Obama set a goal to put the United States back on top of the world with the highest proportion of college graduates^[1]. The rationale behind the mandate was simple: a college degree unlocks potential in the workforce and translates into as much as $1M in additional earning power over a recipient’s lifetime (31% more than earning power of an associate’s degree; 84% more than just a high school diploma)^[2],[3], not to mention the employability of those with a degree versus those without through the last economic recession^[4].  While we’ve made significant strides over the last (almost) decade, now ranking 10^th by percentage of degree holders among OECD countries, we’re a long way from actually achieving the goal. Estimates suggest the United States collectively would need to increase its percentage of degree holders in the 25 to 34 year-old age class from 48% in 2016 to slightly more than 60% in 2020.

So I guess the question is: should we double down on President Obama’s bet and push hard toward grad 2020? Or is there a shift in strategic focus that we need to consider? As I mentioned in my last post, Rep. Virginia Foxx, (R-NC), Chair of the House Education and Workforce Committee, made comments published in Revitalizing the University-Industry-Government Partnership: Creating New Opportunities for 21^st Century: Proceedings of a Workshop in Brief that suggest that trades and other alternative career pathways should be explored.^[5]  Couple the current and projected shortage in skilled trades workers with college completion rates in institutional defined time (6 years for a 4 year degree) continuing to decrease^[6], costs of a college education increasing^[7], and student loan debt at an all-time high^[8], shouldn’t we at least consider Representative Foxx’s view: “… not everyone needs a baccalaureate degree.” ... “People pursue education beyond high school to equip themselves for a better life... talk with local industries, talk with local workforce development groups, and set your minds to creating models for communities of every size across the country to follow.”

Whether exploring tracks into trades, college degree preparation, small business ownership, or even short duration bootcamps designed to create competencies in specific skills areas, there appear to be a number of avenues for our next generation to pursue that can/will develop into meaningful/gainful careers. As the father of two (ages 7 and 3), I’m doing my best to guide and coach but not direct. I’m seeking to help them identify their passions early and explore ways to stoke the fires that are generated from those sparks of interest. For example, my son is enamored with sharks. Most of our conversations revolve around sharks; his library is full of books about sharks, his closet full of t-shirts with pictures of sharks. Does that mean he’s going to be a marine biologist? Perhaps. It could also mean that he finds a passion for art/photography and incorporates his love for sharks in his work. Or becomes an advocate for shark’s rights. Who knows what the future holds… not me. The one thing I do know – let’s not force this generation into an educational model that was originally designed in a bygone (and largely irrelevant) era. But rather let’s encourage them to identify their passions, provide them the tools necessary to thrive, and let them make intelligent/informed choices about what their future holds. In a time of continual disruption, it’s more important now than ever to ensure our students can adapt quickly and choose their own adventure.