We’ve all heard the myth that the only road to success for high school graduates is to go to college. And while college is a good path for many young adults, it’s not the only road to success. But almost one in five workers without degrees earn more than the median college graduate and approximately two million nondegree workers earn six figures a year. The question is, how can we enable young adults without a degree to become one of the 20 percent?
In Launchpad Jobs: Achieving Career and Economic Success Without a Degree, Britebound and the Burning Glass Institute researched this question. We've already looked at which entry-level roles offer real advancement and what workers in those roles can do to accelerate their growth. In this article, I'll explore how state and education leaders can empower students and set them up for career success.
Why career guidance falls short for students not going to college
Every state tracks and publicly reports College and Career Readiness metrics. In practice, almost all of that reporting measures college — enrollment, persistence, completion. Students heading straight into the workforce are counted as an absence rather than an outcome, which means the systems meant to guide them have no signal to act on.
Each year there are more than 3.5 million nondegree, entry-level job openings in careers that either offer nondegree workers strong opportunities for career advancement or solid wages and stability. Our research identified which entry-level roles offer real advancement and what workers in those roles can do to maximize their success. Schools aren't overlooking these students by choice. They're operating without a measure that makes them visible.
Four ways states and schools can prepare students for non-degree careers
Give high school students access to work-based learning experiences before they graduate
To empower young people to make good career decisions, they need opportunities to explore different roles and industries before they graduate from high school. Work-based learning experiences like internships allow students to discover their strengths and interests while developing valuable skills.
These programs also provide benefits to growing industries and employers. In Building Bridges Between Education and Industry, our survey of 500 employers found that 86 percent said high school internship programs strengthen the industry pipeline. Our broader analysis of work-based learning trends and outcomes looks at where these programs are expanding and what employers get from them
Expand Career and Technical Education (CTE) partnerships
Many Launchpad Jobs require a small portfolio of technical skills including preventive maintenance, electrical wiring, and hand tools. By acquiring these skills before they graduate from high school, young adults directly entering the workforce will be better positioned to land high growth potential, paying, and secure roles.
CTE programs have a strong track record of partnering with schools to train students in these types of skills. By expanding these partnerships to assist more students who are not in college preparatory courses and by offering credentials, more high school graduates can get on the path to success.
Increase student access to self-service career exploration tools
To research opportunities, industries, and different career pathways, students need access to high-quality resources. School counselors are a good source of information, but Gen Z students who are accustomed to technology may prefer to do their own research at times and places that are most convenient to them.
Free, self-directed tools let students test interests, compare pathways, and see what a role actually pays before committing to one. Britebound's free career exploration and skill-building tools are built for that kind of independent exploration, and counselors looking to expand what they can offer without adding staff time can start with our resources for educators.
Learners can also benefit from timely information about prospective employers. Burning Glass Institute’s American Opportunity Index project, for example, publishes metrics and information about what major employers are doing to foster economic mobility for their employees.
Broaden the scope of post-secondary planning
While all states track and publicly report College and Career Readiness metrics, the reality is that they focus their efforts more on college than career. So, students heading straight for the workforce are left with little career guidance.
To address this issue, school counselors need more tools and training on career issues. Providing them with the findings of our Launchpad Jobs research, for example, would help them better guide students towards high-potential first jobs and advise them on which skills they should consider acquiring. CareerReady HQ gathers work-based learning tools and training materials counselors can use now.
In addition, states and schools should rethink their definition of post-secondary success. Additional indicators, such as the percentage of students pursuing alternative pathways like apprenticeships or taking Launchpad jobs, would be a more comprehensive measure of long term career success. We've outlined specific recommendations for the metrics that matter and how states can act on them.
Enabling young adults without a degree to succeed
Each year there are more than 3.5 million nondegree, entry-level job openings in careers that either offer nondegree workers strong opportunities for career advancement or solid wages and stability. But young adults need information and advice to find these roles — and students who start out in low-potential jobs need a realistic path to something better.
By providing young people with insights into the qualifications and skills for various professions, information on vocational training programs, apprenticeships, and other nondegree pathways, and an understanding of career trajectories (including long-term earning potential and job stability) from any given entry-level job, we can empower them to make the best choices to achieve fulfillment and career success.
Read the full Launchpad Jobs research for the complete findings, or explore career readiness tools and resources for educators.
