Education is intertwined with society. Starting from birth, we are constantly learning about ourselves and our environment. However, as the world is evolving, so is education. In the last five years alone, the world has experienced a pandemic, the rise of AI, as well as new careers appearing and some fading out. How does our education evolve with this?
College Thoughts
One form of education that will always be around is college education. A high school education typically leads to the pursuit of a college degree in the minds of many. However, public opinion is shifting. Before the pandemic, around 61% of Gen Z high schoolers planned to pursue a college degree. This number has shifted to around 51% post-pandemic. A recent Purpose of Education Index survey reports that out of 57 educational priorities for the American public, going to college went from 10th place down to the 47th place after the pandemic. A 2023 Wall Street Journal–NORC poll even found that 56 percent of Americans do not think a degree is worth the cost, up from 47 percent in 2017 and 40 percent in 2013.
College used to be viewed on a pedestal by many, with a mindset of "You can't go wrong with college!". While colleges have not done anything wrong, many young people aren’t seeing the cost of college as “worth it” anymore, especially when it becomes harder to land jobs associated with many majors. However, colleges are still mandatory when it comes to specific career fields like being in the medical or law field. While colleges will always have an important role in our society, these statistics beg a certain question: Where is this past favor for colleges going?
The Career And Technical Education Boom
Career and Technical Education programs typically prepare students from ages 14 onwards for a range of high-skill, and high-demand careers. These careers specifically, don't require a college degree and instead just need certain skill specifications for an individual to achieve career success. CTE programs award students credentials like industry certifications and licenses, and even provide opportunities like further credentials for more industry visibility. These programs can even come with connections to local employers, which gives students access to internships, apprenticeships, and social capital. The Index also reports that Americans’ top priority for students is “developing practical skills”, which is exactly what CTE programs accomplish. 65% of Gen Z high schoolers advocate for the pursuit of education outside of high schools and prefer programs like online courses, boot camps, internships, and apprenticeships.
Like colleges however, they aren’t exactly perfect. According to a new report from the U.S. General Accountability Office, CTE faces challenges in funding, stigma over jobs in skilled trades and in recruiting and retaining diverse teachers. It has challenges in operations, which may make quality differ between individuals depending on where they are. Our educational preferences are evolving, and we need to make sure that we are using our time and resources wisely.
The Choice, And How To Make It Easier For Yourself
With an ever changing world and the rise of new forms of education available for high schoolers, how is one at 18 years old supposed to make a decision that will impact the rest of their lives? Well fortunately, technology improving has allowed for new platforms like Career Scoops to rise up. Career Scoops helps individuals find out not only what careers fit them best, but also what they can personally do to make sure that they are successful in that career path. A cool fact about pursuing CTEs is that they can be utilized even if you are in college to help boost your career profile. Using Career Scoops, you can find out which pathways you personally could take to maximize career success.
Career Scoops® offers a comprehensive array of solutions designed to help young people navigate their futures with confidence. Our platform provides tools for identifying careers that best fit a student’s interests and strengths, personalized data reports to understand themselves better, and in-depth information on various careers that pique their interest.
Our goal is to empower students to take control of their educational and career journeys. By offering tailored guidance and actionable recommendations, Career Scoops™ ensures that students are not just prepared for college, but for lifelong success.
Join the Career Scoops Community
Follow us on social media to stay updated on the latest career tips, resources, and success stories. Together, let's transform aspirations into achievements.
Comments