A recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education outlined why employers are disenchanted with recent college graduates. It appears that these graduates lack the ability to think critically, analyze data and communicate effectively. Aren't these all skills that are supposedly the cornerstone of a four-year liberal arts education? In addition, The Chronicle goes on to report that companies can no longer afford on-the-job training and expect colleges to provide graduates who are well-prepared to enter the workforce.
Should colleges and universities offer vocational training? Do we need to re-examine how we are preparing students for the workforce of the 21st century? Finally, should a four-year degree be the basic requirement for all jobs?
Years ago, high schools would often have two tracks -- one for an academic diploma and the other a vocational degree. Academically inclined students would head off to college while their counterparts in the vocational track would become mechanics, secretaries, electricians and plumbers. In the end, everyone had a well-paying job, brought a home and retired with a pension. That world is gone.
Is it time for us to re-think the higher education career track? As the president of the nation's largest singly-accredited community college system, I am in regular contact with Indiana businesses that are in desperate need of highly trained workers. Without these employees, they would have to outsource work overseas. Why provide a job for someone in Beijing when a resident of South Bend could do it just as well?
But are guidance counselors advising students to get a degree from a community college that would virtually guarantee them a job when they graduate? Or is there still a stigma attached to a community college degree? Shouldn't we give credit to the displaced factory worker who enters college at the age of 50 to be retrained? Or the high school student who much rather study air conditioning systems over Dante?
The Center on Education in the Workforce at Georgetown University has recognized a new trend. Community college graduates are now earning 15 percent more than liberal arts graduates from a four-year institution. The Center also estimates that 29 million jobs paying middle class wages don't require a bachelor's degree. With a two-year degree, air traffic controllers make $113,547, dental hygienists $70,408, nuclear technicians $68,533 and fashion designers $63, 170 according to Career Builder.com.
Is it time that all employers review job requirements and eliminate the pre-requisite that applicants must have a four-year degree when someone with an associate degree would be equally as qualified?
We are doing our young people a disservice if we expect them to attend a four year college and not graduate with the training to get a job. This is particularly true if they have more than $25,000 in student loans to re-pay.
Institutions need more internship programs so that students graduate with work experience. They need professors who have real world experience in their field not just a list of publications in obscure journals. Finally, they need to re-evaluate how they are teaching problem solving and critical thinking. If employees are looking for these skills, it is our obligation to give students this training.
Let's start by recognizing that someone with a two year degree may be as equally qualified as a student with a four year degree. Slamming the door of employment opportunities on someone simply because he could not afford to attend a four year institution defeats the purpose of higher education.