NY Times op-ed piece over the weekend highlighted this weakness in US Higher Ed system:

While career training may sound vague, if done properly it is straightforward and teaches how to get, and succeed at, a job.  At most colleges this training falls under the purview of Career Services; however, there is a major disconnect between many students and this department.  Earlier this year, a consulting firm, Millenial Branding, surveyed over 4,000 students and found that 61 percent said Career Services was “never” or “rarely” effective in helping them land a job.”

The writer goes on to suggest that colleges offer a Career Training course that stretches from freshman to senior year.  I would argue that we should start this course back into high school.  Why?  First, there are some college majors that students must declare upon entering college (e.g., engineering) or certain career tracks that are difficult to jump on midway through college (e.g., pre-med).  Second, it provides students with the motivation and the ability to see a clearer link between their academic work and a career.  

I was lucky.  Twenty-five years ago, I was fortunate to have received tremendous guidance from Career Services, which included resume screening, mock interviews and panel discussions about careers in business and as I recall almost all of my classmates landing in job somewhere after graduation. It’s funny though, when I consider why I chose a career in business, I recall a conversation one lazy summer evening.  I had just finished mowing the lawn for a neighbor in the summer before I headed to college.  He asked me where I was going and what I hoped to study.  His view of college stood out for its practicality.  His advice:  “Study something that will make it easy for you to find a job.”  

So, how does this article fit into personal finance?  One of the keys to succeeding financially is to have a successful career; one where you are not only compensated well but also passionate about and that utilizes and further develops your unique qualities and skills.  Over the next several months, we will be creating lessons to assist high school and college students through this career exploration process.  Their future depends on it! 

Oh and just in case you are wondering what employers look for when hiring college graduates, this recent survey might surprise you (hint:  less academics, more real-world experience):

What Employers Want

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.