Career Education: Does Not Mean the 6 Year College Plan

Researching career education uncovered the following shocking statistic: The average college student takes 5.3 years to earn a 4-year Bachelor's degree. Other data included that college retention is mediocre at best with a national average around 50%. In Indiana, research reveals that for every 100 ninth grade students, only 21 will graduate with a bachelor's degree within 6 years. Read more about this disturbing trend and a viable solution at www.processspecialist.com/youth.htm

How Much More for the 6-Year Plan?

Depending upon the state and the type of post-secondary institution such as private or state, the 6 year plan can increase college costs anywhere from $5,000 to $70,000 using data from the U.S. Department of Education for the 2002-03 academic year. Avoiding the 6-year plan really makes sense, as these costs do not include books, additional fees, and any other supplemental expenses.

Why Has This Happened?

There are several key reasons for this national and state trend. First, many young people do not know what their desired major is. With a curriculum that is a mile wide and an inch deep, young people may not have the school time to adequately explore their interests.

Second, many young people do not plan for the challenges that they will be experiencing. In a survey revealed that both college freshman and sophomores did not realize that their coursework was remedial and did not count towards their degrees. Another recent survey from the National Governors Association (NGA) confirms that young people believe that they are unprepared for the demands of college and work in the 21st Century. Ignorance is very expensive.

Third, these same young people lack self-control, self-leadership, self-discipline, self-responsibility and time management. These young adults have been conditioned to have someone else assume all responsibilities. Unfortunately, another recent report revealed that high school counselors were not candid in their discussions with students about the students' college preparation or lack thereof. An interesting side note is that these interpersonal skills or what some call job-readiness skills are the same desirable skills that employers are seeking and cannot find in college graduates.

What Can You as a Parent Do?

Recognize that the current solutions will not work as most of these are externally driven. Common sense tells us that we can't change anyone. Seek an inside-out solution where your daughter or son internalizes the necessary positive attitudes and inter-personal skills through a proven goal achievement action plan. By working with the necessary positive attitudes, integrating new skills and knowledge such as goal achievement, time management and effective communication, your son or daughter will begin to plan their 4-year college future because you have set the expectations and provided the tool to turn their potential into performance.

If you choose not to take action, then consider these two questions:

Do you really wish to spend an additional $5,000 to $70,000?

And more importantly,

What other needs do you have for that money?

Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S. President of ADVANCED SYSTEMS, is the Process Specialist. With over 25 years of business and education experience, she builds peace and abundance by connecting the 3P's of Passion, Purpose and Performance through process improvement. She is one of the first national certified facilitators for America's Rising Stars and includes this tool to create positive ROI driven results for youth in grades 6th-14th, parents, teachers and schools both private and public. Leanne believes we need to stop setting our young people up for failure. As co-author of M.A.G.I.C.A.L. Potential:Living an Amazing Life Beyond Purpose to Achievement (June 2005 release), she speaks nationally to a variety of audiences. Contact Leanne at 219.759.5601 or leanne@processspecialist.com if you are seeking amazing results.

Copyright 2005 Leanne Hoagland-Smith, http://www.processspecialist.com

Permission to publish this article, electronically or in print, as long as the bylines are included, with a live link, and the article is not changed in any way (grammatical corrections accepted).

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