The US Chamber of Commerce highlights several industries already affected by a labor shortage. Jon Marcus’s article in The Hechinger Report points to multiple experts who say the labor shortage is just projected to get worse. Marcus states, “Population shifts mean there will soon be millions more jobs than qualified people to fill them.” From healthcare to tech workers to educators, it’s not just going to be McDonald’s with a “help wanted” sign in the window. Flip that on its head, that means a ton of skilled worker job markets are going to be open—perfect for students ready with the necessary skills to step into the workforce. CAREER TRAINING CAN SAVE TIME— AND MONEY It’s alarming just how much it costs to have the “college experience.” Another advantage to schools with career-ready programs is that those interested in the trades will find opportunities with a high earning potential without the costly commitment of a four- year degree. Education Date Initiative (EDI) reports, “The average annual cost of tuition at a public college is 40 times what it was in 1963; after adjusting for inflation, tuition has increased 312.4 percent.” Even if your student receives scholarship money, expenses like housing, dining dollars, and textbook rentals still add up. Tack on a graduate degree—after all, Georgetown University predicts “By 2031, 72 percent of jobs in the US will require postsecondary education and/or training”—and oof! It’s too easy to dig a deep hole in student loan debt. To make matters worse, EDI has found that 39 percent of first-time, full-time bachelor’s degree seeking students either drop out or don’t finish their program within eight years. Aka, time and money flushed down the drain—because now those students have to figure out a different way to provide for themselves. Schools that enable students to pursue interests like welding, cosmetology, and healthcare are actually giving students the freedom to dabble without the risk of discovering they don’t want to pursue that career too late. Plus, there’s just nothing like hands-on learning! SUCCESS DOESN’T LOOK THE SAME FOR EVERYONE You can’t discount the value of interest. Not everyone cares to follow the “traditional” route—and that’s actually a good thing. When my toilet breaks, my college degree doesn’t help me: my plumber does. Same with my A/C, my car… you get it. Yet those jobs do require certifications and experience in the field, just like how a friend had to attend beauty school to learn how to color, cut, and
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Schools Reinventing Career Pathways BY JULIANNA STEEN A NEW DEFINITION OF COLLEGE AND CAREER READINESS Not long ago, your post-high school which classes you’re going to take. Only now, beginning in 9th or 10th grade, you can pick a “career pathway”—from landscape design,
woodworking, data science and health sciences to graphic design, cosmetology, business, and more. In essence, students take a sequence of related classes while completing core graduation requirements (like US History and Geometry). You might also see it referred to as a Career and Technical Education (CTE) program. Many programs include internships, clinical experiences, job shadowing, dual enrollment, or industry certification exams before graduation. PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A CHANGING ECONOMY There are a lot of reasons why these opportunities are important—both for the future of these students, and the US as a whole. One of the primary benefits of equipping students for the workforce is the labor shortage our country is experiencing— a byproduct of a decrease in the birth rate and a growing number of Baby Boomer retirements. Career-focused education can help bridge that gap by connecting students with industries that need the next generation.
graduation path was mapped out for you: Go to college, get a degree, and join the workforce. Now, instead of asking “Where will you go to college?” many schools are asking, “What career are you preparing for?” Schools are investing in alternative career prep options, making high school more of a choose-your-own-adventure through career academies, dual enrollment, internships, apprenticeships, and industry certifications. Kids are graduating with welding, cybersecurity, nursing assistant, aviation, or teaching credentials. For example, a school down the road from me recently launched a culinary arts program and an aviation training program. (I wish I could’ve taken a pastry course as a high school elective!) Students can now earn credentials that allow them to enter the workforce immediately—or continue their education with a significant head start. WHAT IS A CAREER PATHWAY? You know the drill: High school hits, and you meet with the school counselor to plan
8 Education Guide | 2026
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