While some high school and undergraduate students are graduating with the understanding of what it takes to succeed in the workplace, others have no idea. I can remember talking with the school counseling, let’s see, once or twice a year for scheduling purposes. We had a Career Center Coordinator and I went to her office for cheerleading fundraising, and that’s about it. Thank goodness I had parents that cared about my future. Others weren’t so lucky.
Having an educator that wants to see their students succeed, helps life after college go smoothly. I believe that educators can do more to ensure that the college experience positions every student for long-term success, regardless of their chosen field of study. However, change isn’t only needed within colleges. Employers may need to alter their recruiting and hiring practices in order to discover talent.
A study that I read found that few students’ graduate high school with the basic math and science skills that many companies need to compete. The study showed that the so-called skills gap is really a gap in education, and that affects all of us. There are some graduates in high school that get by without the basic knowledge of math and science skills. The ACT is an important test for students to complete, but isn’t always emphasized in public schools. The skills gap starts with students in high school and some even before. The challenge that we face is how to keep this consistent among all schools within our state. I took the ACT twice and was satisfied with my score. No ACT prep, no guidance. This is still a problem for students today!
Once graduating from college, students then look for jobs in the workforce. The problem is that the students that are worried about landing a job after graduation might be attracted to a narrow education that focuses on building their knowledge in one area; but that isn't enough to help them pursue successful careers. I am an advocate of a broad, liberal-arts education for all.
In the large debate around a nationwide skills gap that colleges must deal with, attention focuses on reading, writing, math abilities, tech knowledge, and other specialized skills needed for specific industries. Yet, over all, employers report little deficit in basic reading, writing, and math skills; nationwide tests show that students now are doing as well as or better than before in those areas. This is a problem that needs to be addressed sooner than college. Understanding the skills gap and where it starts is the most important way to fix this problem.
Even though some students aren’t getting the skills and knowledge needed in high school, some mentors and counselors can help mend the gap for them. Counseling is most effective when it is conducted in one-on-one sessions and when there is an adequate follow-up to these sessions. If higher education professionals, high school professionals, and managers in the workforce would partner together on understanding and actively pursuing to mend the skills gap, the change would take place. I hope to be that person for a child, before college, to help mend the gap!
