Did you know that only 25% of jobs today require a bachelor’s degree? Surprisingly, while 72% require some form of post-secondary education, nearly half of our high school graduates—approximately 45%—will enroll in a bachelor’s program this Fall. Alarmingly, within just one year, about 20% of these students will either drop out or fail, resulting in significant debt without acquiring the skills necessary to secure employment.

This message is not a critique of bachelor’s degrees; they undoubtedly hold value in certain careers. If your child is passionate about a field that necessitates a degree, pursuing that education is certainly worthwhile. However, if they are uncertain about their career direction, sending them to a four-year college without a clear goal can lead to a costly detour.

I urge parents to actively participate in shaping their child’s educational journey as early as middle school. The landscape of post-secondary education has transformed dramatically in recent years. For example, every year, Technical Colleges graduate students with associate degrees before they even finish high school. These students can seamlessly enter the workforce without incurring debt or transfer to a four-year institution to complete their degree in just two years, saving both time and money.

With twelve years of teaching experience at a Technical College, I have seen the remarkable post-secondary options we offer that benefit our students. Yet, many remain unaware of these valuable pathways that can help their children reach their career goals.

As we enter an era of significant changes in the job market, it’s essential to reevaluate the role of post-secondary education. Careers such as computer programming are rapidly declining due to AI advancements, necessitating a shift in how we approach education.  The example shared above is just one of many; numerous opportunities exist to help your child achieve their desired career outcomes, all while considering time and financial implications.  A dramatically changing job market requires that we rethink how postsecondary education aligns with the workforce needs.