Transformations in Higher Education to Accommodate Workforce
As a sophomore in high school, I’ve been planning my future college and career. I have a friend who graduated from an ivy league school and now works at a pharmaceutical company. Last month, I asked her “What are the most applicable college courses to your job?” She paused for a few seconds and then said “Nothing.” I was so shocked! Later, I did some research and found that her situation echoed most college graduates.
According to a Gallup survey, 96% of colleges and universities believe they are effective in preparing students for the workforce. However, only 35% of college students say they are prepared for a job. Increasingly worse, only 11% of business leaders strongly agree that grads are prepared for the workforce. What’s scariest is that students who get into privileged schools and pay sky-high tuitions aren’t guaranteed success in their careers. Colleges’ efforts aren’t completely aligned with employer expectations, making it unsustainable. So, what are the causes?
First, there are weaknesses in the school ranking system. U.S. News, for example, lists 17 different criteria to rank schools, few of which are linked to student success in the workforce. College professors’ tenure is focused more on writing books or essays (the traditional method), less on student career success. Consequently, school faculty cannot adapt to evolving workforce needs because colleges do not actively collaborate with employers on updated knowledge. Also, one professor can teach over 200 students in a lecture class, sometimes using the same PowerPoint slide deck from decades ago. Professors could just be using the same PowerPoint slide deck in their lectures from decades ago. Imagine—if a business sold you a 10-year-old car model with no customizations, would you buy it? For career services, colleges have a narrow scope in career preparation, only polishing student resumes or preparing for interviews. And all in the last year!
However, there are solutions for this. For starters, there need to be reforms in the college ranking system. At most, there should be five criteria with at least 50% weighed in employer satisfaction. Additionally, professors can be evaluated more on performance in preparing students. They should earn a long-term bonus for future student career success. Let’s replace the one-fit-all learning model with personalized, tech-enhanced plans for different student talents and preferences. With career services, colleges should develop career readiness from day one as an ongoing success plan. Colleges can expand students’ scope through mandatory co-op or internship programs. They can also actively cultivate people skills and networking in students.
Today, there’s a crisis in higher education. To solve it, the college ranking system needs to be reformed and career services need to play a bigger role. In business terms, higher education can help students get the best return out of their 4 years. And sustain long term growth for our economy.
