Beyond Degrees
With this paper, we deepen and expand upon our body of research into the public awareness and reputation of nondegree pathways, focusing on the beliefs and attitudes of young people, their parents, and their teachers. For those looking to pursue, or encourage someone to pursue, a nondegree pathway today, there are no easy answers. Information about nondegree pathways is hard to come by, and it isn’t making its way into schools at a great enough rate to disrupt the damaging “college for all” mentality.
A Path Forward: Innovative Solutions to Build a Modern Workforce for GenZ+
Research shows there is growing awareness and acceptance of more education to career pathways among employers and Gen Z. However, work is needed to reduce the perceived and real risks holding many young people and employers from pursuing and hiring from high-quality education to career training and credentials. Together, ASA and JFF have crafted an action plan to eliminate the risks and fears, strengthen learner agency, help employers adopt skills-based practices, and ensure policymakers improve funding models.
Yet, what we observe among those who have chosen the path less traveled hints at a subtle awareness shift taking place. All parties—young people, parents, and educators alike—want more information about nondegree pathways, and are hungry to understand what opportunity exists beyond the degree. And most importantly, those young people who are pursuing or have pursued apprenticeships, boot camps, certifications, micro-credentials, and beyond are generally satisfied with their choices. They are largely employed, and they are appreciative of the opportunity to connect learning to earning in a meaningful way that doesn’t come with a burdensome price tag or require them to put life on hold for four years.
With this research, we put forth a call for change and a request for students, parents, and educators everywhere to adopt a more open lens on what success looks like. We ask the public to help those young people who are about to transition to adult life to not resort to knee-jerk choices, but instead to ask the question, “What if?” We commit to playing a role in the establishment of a stronger framework of information and quality assurance that makes the choice less daunting and more realistic for millions of young Americans.
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