I’ve just read an article in The Atlantic from last September (I’m more behind than I thought), that of the 17.6 million undergraduates currently enrolled in higher education, 43 percent attend two-year colleges, 25 percent are over the age of 30, and only 15 percent live on campus while enrolled in four-year colleges. Although those percentages may be surprising, my first thought is that these statistics bode well that many students are holding off on higher education until they are better prepared for college success.
Of course, there are other reasons why they may be holding off. Those 43 percent attending two-year colleges may be there because they cannot afford to attend a four-year university for their entire college education, so they are getting some of the basics taken care of at a more economical community college. Some of the older, “non-traditional” students may be going back for a second degree in a field with more job opportunity. Students in both those categories tend to be more serious students—those most likely to succeed in their college pursuits.
But the article claims that “slightly over half of today's students are seeking a "subbacalaureate" credential (i.e., a certificate, credential, or associate's degree). In 2008-09, post-secondary institutions conferred 806,000 certificates and 787,000 associate's degrees, or a total of about 1.59 million, as compared to 1.6 million bachelor's degrees. In 2008, more than half a million students were enrolled in a health sciences certificate program, making it the largest certificate program area. Another 173,000 students sought a certificate in manufacturing, construction, repair, and transportation.” In other words, many of today’s students are seeking certification in fields that do not require a BA or BS, but does require serious training.
I think this is great news for today’s students. Many do not want to seek four-year degrees, but do want meaningful work in a job that pays a good, living wage. The article states that “the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that two-thirds of the labor force has less than a four-year degree, including nearly half of those in professional occupations and one-third of those in management roles. It pays for workers to earn these (subbacalaureate) credentials; according to the BLS, workers with an associate's degree earned $141 more per week, on average, than those whose highest degree is a high school diploma.”
In Toward College Success: Is Your Teenager Ready, Willing, and Able?, I mention “Best Jobs for the 21st Century” by Michael Farr as a good resource for students seeking a different path than college after high school. His book lists several careers that do not necessarily require college degrees, but do require on-the-job training from between a few weeks to four years. He also lists many of the jobs that fall in this category.
Remember that the choices you and your student make need to reflect your student’s needs, qualities, and interests—not yours. Your student is the one who will need to do the work, and feel motivated to do so. His success in whatever follows high school—college or something else—is his to make happen. As his parent, your goal is to help him find the path to that success.
To read the full article: http://www.theatlantic.com/business/archive/2011/09/old-school-colleges-most-important-trend-is-the-rise-of-the-adult-student/245823/
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