College Consensus continues our series on what to expect in the future of higher education.
Alternative Educational Routes and the Future Job Market
With all of the uncertainty in higher education and in the economy today, parents and prospective students would be smart to consider alternative educational routes.
One way of thinking about alternative paths is “new collar” jobs, demanding specialized skills over traditional degrees.
There’s a huge demand for skilled workers in non-traditional and emerging sectors. High-paying positions like cloud architects, data analysts, medical technicians, and wind turbine technicians often prioritize specialized training and certifications over bachelor’s degrees. These “new collar” careers offer promising career prospects and competitive salaries, making them attractive alternatives to traditional college.
Healthcare
- Emergency medicine technicians (EMTs)
- Lab techs
- Radiologists
- CNAs, LPNs, and LVNs
- Medical records specialists
Technology
- Cloud computing
- Cybersecurity
- Data analysts
- Machine learning
- User experience (UX) and user interface (UI)
Green Manufacturing and Energy
- Soil conservationist
- Solar photovoltaic installation
- Wind turbine technicians
With an eye on the changing job market, many students and their families should consider alternatives to college:
- Community College
- Technical and Vocational Schools
- Apprenticeships
- Boot Camps
Community colleges offer affordable associate degrees and certifications in high-demand fields like cybersecurity, healthcare, and technology. These programs provide targeted training, equipping students with practical skills for immediate employment.
Vocational and trade schools offer intensive, hands-on training in skilled trades such as welding, electrical work, and automotive repair.
Apprenticeships provide invaluable on-the-job experience, allowing individuals to learn from experienced professionals while earning a wage.
Bootcamps are an interesting proposition. In the College Consensus poll, only 29% of respondents really trusted bootcamps to provide career satisfaction. Only around 5% thought they were the best route.
But bootcamps have proliferated because they offer a lot of advantages to career-changing adults, and to working professionals who need to brush up or learn new skills. Some can be as cheap as community college; some are offered by reputable, even world-renowned institutions.
One thing is clear, from looking at the lay of the land and the uncertainty of the future: it’s time for Americans to take a broader look at post-secondary education
- Consider the value of skills-based training. It highlights the importance of aligning education with the needs of the modern workforce
- Explore alternatives like community colleges, vocational schools, and apprenticeships
- Emphasize practical skills and targeted training
Graduates – whether they’re graduating from a community college, a university, or a trade – need to be prepared for a job market that is evolving faster than ever before. None of the old rules count anymore.
