Published: May 30, 2008 01:49 pm      

Connecting the world of work to our schools | Students need more help in charting their futures

This month, nearly 150,000 students in Pennsylvania’s public and private schools will don the traditional cap and gown for their graduation day.

Graduation symbolizes the proverbial door to the future, which suddenly swings open to greet the new graduates with a cold blast of reality.

They will be constantly buffeted by the winds of disappointment and failure, particularly those who believe unrealistically in that refrain that you can be anything you want to be – just live your dream.

That dream, in most instances, has been shaped by the advice of a parent or a school counselor that college is not an option – it’s imperative if one is to be a success in life.

However, this choice comes with a price that continues to escalate. Today, a four-year degree carries a price tag of $100,000.

Add to that the price of textbooks and the cost of that commute to a nearby college or university and the figure balloons.

Perhaps our legislators could provide some form of tuition credit for these commuters who are trying to save money by living at home.

There is no argument that college should be affordable and within reach of everyone regardless of economic circumstance.

A majority of the class of 2008, nearly 65 percent, will join their classmates this fall at a college or university because many simply don’t know what else to do with their lives.

Sadly, many still will not know what they want to do when they complete their studies. More often than not, this dilemma will be somewhat resolved by enrolling in graduate school. Their rationale is that an advanced degree will make them more competitive in the marketplace.

Two out of three college students withdraw at least once before they finish school, and more than one-half will need six years to graduate.

Out of all arts and humanities graduates, only one-third will find employment in line with their academic experience. For all graduates, regardless of major, the figure is one-half.

Professor Kenneth Gray a workforce education and development specialist at Penn State, states that one-half of the students who start a four-year degree program graduate in six years, and of those who receive a degree, only one-half find commensurate employment.

Gray believes that high school students, especially those less confident or focused, have to be taught to balance hopes and aspirations with talents and opportunities.

Ultimately, teens have to ask themselves where they want to go in terms of a career, and then ask themselves if college is the best vehicle to take them there, as opposed to a technical school and apprenticeship program, or even the military.

We read that the nation’s economy is generating record numbers of unfilled positions for technicians in high-skill and high-wage technical jobs. Recently, a local economic developer indicated that there is a shortage of skilled workers for the jobs that are coming into our region, and that it was becoming necessary to recruit these workers from outside the area.

By eighth grade, all students should have taken part in curricular or extracurricular activities that help them pinpoint several tentative career interests that they can pursue after high school. Having organized a successful career day, I can attest to the value of inviting professionals to speak to our ninth and 10th graders who came away with a better understanding of the “world of work.”

Another way to give our students a unique opportunity of an up-close look at the world that they will enter is to “shadow” workplace mentors as they go through a normal day on the job.

Wouldn’t it be great to have more local employers enter into such a cooperative venture with our schools?

A school counselor told me recently that Memorial Medical Center has such a program to familiarize students with the health-care careers. Perhaps more companies in our area could display the same community initiative and commitment.

Finally, congratulations, seniors on your shining achievement.



David A. Knepper of Adams Township has held several professional positions: Cambria County community and economic development specialist, school superintendent, principal and college teacher. He holds a doctorate in educational administration from Penn State. Presently, he is executive director of the Forest Hills Regional Alliance.