Community Colleges as a Stepping Stone, Not Grade 13: We’ll Break the Stigma

Let's Talk Ed

On Let's Talk ED this week, we (Zahi Atallah and John Mercer) explore the value of higher education from ballooning costs and the future of good jobs, and we attempt to break the stigma associated with going to a community college. We explore the pressing issues and misconceptions that shape the landscape of higher education today, and its impact on the future of the American economic and workforce success.

In the first segment, "Is Higher Education Worth the Cost? Is Tuition Increasing?", we tackle the ballooning costs of education and debate whether the investment in higher education is justified. We provide insights into the factors driving tuition hikes and discuss potential solutions to make education more affordable. For example, the fastest-growing college expense seems to not be tuition, but rather the cost of other necessary student services. These services include mental health counseling, career advising, and other support systems that are essential for student success. As colleges and universities strive to provide a more comprehensive support network for their students, the expenses associated with these services have surged, outpacing the growth of tuition fees. This trend underscores the increasing importance of holistic student support in higher education. (Hechinger Report: https://hechingerreport.org/the-fastest-growing-college-expense-may-not-be-what-people-think/)

The second segment, "Future-Proof Your Career: Higher Education is Indispensable to Future Good Job Prospects", focuses on the importance of higher education in securing a successful career. We highlight the growing demand for advanced skills and qualifications in the job market and explain why obtaining a higher education degree is crucial for future job prospects. And we explore the critical role of higher education in securing good jobs in the future. The majority of well-paying future jobs will require at least some level of postsecondary education, with a significant portion demanding a bachelor's degree or higher. This trend indicates that investing in higher education is essential for those aiming to secure stable and well-paying careers.(Georgetown University, Center for Education and the Workforce report: summarize information from https://cew.georgetown.edu/wp-content/uploads/cew-the_future_of_good_jobs-fr.pdf)

In the final segment, "Community Colleges as a Stepping Stone, Not Grade 13: We’ll Break the Stigma", we address the stigma often associated with community colleges. We emphasize the invaluable role community colleges play in providing accessible and quality education, while supporting the future success and competitiveness of the US economy, workforce, and innovation. These institutions offer diverse programs that cater to various career paths and academic goals, making higher education more accessible and affordable. The article emphasizes that community colleges play a significant role in helping students achieve their educational and professional aspirations, challenging the outdated perception of their value.(Community College Research Center report: https://ccrc.tc.columbia.edu/easyblog/debunking-13th-grade-stigma.html)

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