“Why don’t they bring back shop class?” Educators hear this question all the time because parents (and sometimes students) are not aware of the career and technical education (CTE) classes that schools offer. This gap in awareness can be costly to students and have significant financial implications. Therefore, many schools are looking for strategies to... Continue Reading →
CTE: Connecting Students with More Career Opportunities
Since the post-WWII era, students in the US have been encouraged to pursue a bachelor's degree. A four-year college education is considered by many to be the best route to a rewarding career and a secure financial future. Conventional wisdom holds that a college degree will lead to a middle-class lifestyle and a desired level... Continue Reading →
Leading Students in Search of Alternatives to College
Traditionally, school career and college planning programs emphasized college readiness, focusing primarily on academics and admission requirements. However, it’s clear that college is not the best fit for all students—or the current job market—as more than half of occupations in the US now require specialized training but not a bachelor's degree. “Career training has been... Continue Reading →
The Costly Stigma around CTE Programs
Removing the stigma around career and technical education (CTE) benefits students, parents, and teachers. But to do so, districts must be mindful in creating a multi-faceted communication strategy. School districts can change the perception of CTE if they know how to address the misconceptions. When we look at other workforce stigmas, such as talking about... Continue Reading →
Supporting Students’ Choices of a Career or Academic Program
Ladders are often used as metaphors when speaking about careers: “climbing the corporate ladder,” “the ladder of success,” “taking things one rung at a time,” etc. It is also a way that students can understand the future of work as they become engaged in their career exploration and planning. Asking about career planning in the... Continue Reading →
Easier Support for the Student Career Exploration Journey
From math and science to English, history, economics, gym, and other electives, high school provides students with many learning opportunities. But to what end? Is it to prepare students for college, for the world of work, or some other pathway? If it’s for both college and work, a survey by the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation... Continue Reading →
5 Thoughts on Mastering Post-Secondary Education Planning
Students graduating from high school today are fully embracing the open road that awaits them, pursuing all options at their disposal. In increasing numbers, more students are recognizing that college is not the only path to a successful future, as many are asking difficult questions about the true value of a four-year degree. Some students... Continue Reading →
How to Simplify Your District’s Post-Secondary Planning Process
Why are so many students mystified about the prospect of what happens after high school? Even for students with strong parental support, the post-secondary planning process can be challenging. This reality is amplified for first-generation students who are college-going. Fortunately, there are strategies that schools can implement to demystify the process. The creation of post-secondary... Continue Reading →
Equity of Opportunity: Optimizing for Underserved Students
HVAC installers, truck drivers, and computer support specialists are among the dozens of occupations that do not require a four-year college degree. These essential positions are in demand and often come with annual wages that exceed the national average. Yet, school career and college planning programs have historically focused on the needs of college-bound students.... Continue Reading →
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