Did you know that college is considered any education that is beyond high school. This can result in an earned credential such as a certificate, associate’s degree (2-year degree), bachelor's degree (4-year degree), and beyond. In my work as a high school counselor and IEC I quickly realized that students feel the only option they have after high school is to pursue a 4-year degree. This might be a good fit for some students, but not all.
Another option students can look into is enrolling into a two year college. There are many reasons students choose to enroll in a 2-year college. Some of these reasons include, completing a certificate, a diploma, an associates degree, starting a pathway that leads into a 4-year program, or completing generals and transferring to a 4-year college.

Before deciding what path you want to take after high school it is important to examine your purpose. Research has shown that 66% of students enroll directly into a 4-year college after high school but over half of those who enroll end up dropping out before they complete their degree. The reasons they gave for dropping out are: not being prepared for the rigor, not being focused on an occupation, and not being emotionally ready.
In order to ensure you will be successful you need to examine the job market. The job market is quickly changing and education costs are rising, this leads to students taking on debt that they may or may not be able to pay back. Too many college graduates end up taking jobs that do not require the education they received. In 2018, 33% of jobs required a 4-year degree, 30% of jobs required a two-year degree, and 36% of jobs required a high school diploma with a certificate and/or on the job training. This means that:
63% of occupations required some sort of college degree
66% of occupations don’t require a bachelor’s degree
Another way to look at it is with the ratio - 1:2:7. For every 1 occupation that requires a master’s degree, 2 will require a university degree and 7 will require a certificate or an associates degree.
Students need both college readiness and career preparation in order to be successful in their post high school pursuits. Employers have indicated that applied skills and knowledge are much more important than where the applicant went to school. One of the foundational pieces of success is employability skills - these are skills that are transferable to many different industries. In order to give yourself the best chance for success you need to focus on the following 4 things (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NFL_KmyLTqQ):
Self-awareness
Career exploration
Career planning
Educational planning
If you need help and/or guidance in any of these areas contact me directly at info@atozeducationalconsulting.com or 612-735-1261.
Comments