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How to Make College Pay Off
At $20,000-$50,000 per year, the cost of a college education
is staggering. And even before the current economic recession,
only 20% of employers believed that college graduates possess
the skills to enter the workforce. The good news, according
to Bill Coplin, Ph.D., is that with the right advice, parents
can turn their substantial investment into one that yields
a high return and a truly satisfying career for their son
or daughter.
Coplin is a renowned Professor in the Maxwell School of Public
Affairs at Syracuse University and author of over 100 books
and articles. For the past 30 years he has been actively involved
as a faculty advisor to undergraduates, challenging them to
acquire critical competencies that prepare them for a rewarding
profession. In his book, 25 Ways to Make College Pay Off:
Advice for Anxious Parents from a Professor Who's Seen It
All, Coplin offers suggestions on how parents can help
their sons and daughters achieve three goals: skills development,
character building, and career exploration. Coplin recently
shared with Career Vision some updated recommendations, in
light of the current economic recession, for getting the most
out of the college experience and leaving school well-prepared
for the real world and employment.
Build employability skills in college, don't just acquire
knowledge
"Years ago, students would talk about wanting to be a
doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Now the expressed goal is 'Go
to college. Period.' " Coplin said. "Higher education
and the media drive 'college' into everyone's head today.
The College Board is a relentless engine directing students
to four-year colleges. This implies that the students headed
for community college or trade apprenticeships, or the ones
who don't excel on tests, are losers. We need to change that
perception and help students see the rich variety of post-secondary
education options that exist."
"We also need to change the focus of our questions to
students. Instead of 'What college are you going to?' and
'What is your major?' we should be asking 'So why are
you going to college?'" Coplin continued. "For some
students, college is a four or five year summer camp, where
parents just hope their child will grow up. That's not enough."
If Coplin could put it in a short, bumper-sticker format,
he would say, "It's the skills, stupid." He has
identified these skills as:
1. Establishing a Work Ethic |
6. Influencing People |
2. Developing Physical Skills |
7. Gathering Information |
3. Communicating Verbally |
8. Using Quantitative Tools |
4. Communicating in Writing |
9. Asking and Answering the Right Questions |
5. Working Directly With People |
10. Solving Problems |
The components of these skills
and ways to develop them are more fully explained in Coplin's
book 10 Things Employers Want
You to Learn in College.
Coplin clarified, "What I mean is that the content,
the knowledge, is changing all the time, and that's what is
taught in higher education. The educational system overvalues
theory and test-taking. Students think they want to go into
marketing, so they take a marketing class. I say, 'No! Go
work for the college office that solicits funds from alumni,
or do a marketing project for a local organization. Conduct
a survey or do fieldwork.' That's how you learn if you're
good at marketing and if you like marketing enough to make
it a career," according to Coplin.
Parents are great role models for building character
"The challenge [for parents] is to figure out how to
help your children build character that will make them great
hires, not to mention good people in all aspects of life,"
said Coplin in his book, 25 Ways to Make College Pay Off.
Conscientiousness, punctuality, cooperation, self-confidence,
adaptability, self-management, integrity, and motivation are
some of the attributes commonly thought of as the elements
of good character. They comprise what is considered a good
work ethic. Parents can be most effective as teachers of good
character by being great role models. He encouraged parents
to talk with their children about how they developed these
character traits. Children can learn from listening to the
difficulties parents faced and the mistakes they made. "Parents
can also share their pride in their own good character traits
which have served them well in life, said Coplin. "This
also means that parents should not be a negative role model
by writing or proof-reading papers, and encouraging their
kids to call them with every little question."
What activities are recommended for career exploration?
Coplin is a strong advocate for career exploration, by getting
involved and learning by doing. He recommends jobs on campus
that can provide hands-on skills and leadership training.
For example, a resident assistant (also called an RA) is a
peer leader in a college residence hall and learns communication
skills, problem solving, organization, and a strong work ethic.
A treasurer for a campus organization learns money management,
attention to detail and management skills. In campus government
roles, students can deepen communication skills, team skills,
conflict resolution and evaluating actions and policies. Students
can learn how to work with management (campus administrators)
and build professional relationships in a variety of paid
and unpaid student activities jobs.
Lastly, high quality internships, co-ops and summer jobs
are more important than ever today. Sixty percent of new college
graduate hires have had internship experience, and often more
than one. A significant percentage of the hires were students
who had internships with the companies that hired them. Parents
can support their children as they plan their job search approach,
organize themselves, access resources, prepare a resume, practice
interviewing, and choose among options.
What's the impact of the recession on these college
and career preparation issues?
As a result of the current economic crisis, Coplin tagged
a number of trends he has seen in the past few years:
- Students considering more post-secondary education options,
including community colleges
- Graduates so discouraged they aren't even trying to look
for work
- More students going to graduate school because they think
they can't get a job
- Increased student interest in entrepreneurship, which
is for hands-on learning, but often these students are unaware
of the risks and demands of owning their own business
- Educational administrators more focused and committed
to helping students develop 21st Century skills, but teachers
very slow to change their focus on teaching content rather
than skills
- More media willingness to challenge the belief that college
is for everyone and the usefulness of a Bachelor's degree
in liberal arts
Closing Advice for Parents
"Aptitude plus hard work equals success," Coplin stated. "Experience
will teach students everything they need to learn in order
to be successful. Formal education enhances what students
have to offer, but experience develops the necessary skills.
Granted, they still need technical knowledge relevant to their
job, but skills are most critical." The knowledge keeps changing
at a rapid pace; skills enable students to be more adaptive
and resilient.
Related articles:
Our Children Are Going to College, But Do They Know Why?
Wanted: Focused, Directed and Connected College Grads
© Copyright 2010, Career Vision. Article may be reprinted
with permission.
Direction.
Decisions. Satisfaction.
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