Why? Why go through all of trouble of getting some sort of
post-high school education? Two numbers
give two big reasons. In 1970 28% of
jobs required further training after high school. In 2018, that number has grown to 63%. That number will not be going down anytime
soon and will probably continue to grow.
What is happening to bring this change? Go to a Home Depot, Menards, or Lowes on a
Saturday morning (not during the Christmas season) and see how many people are
running cash registers and how many self-checkouts are available. Commonly you will see the self-checkouts will
outnumber cash registers manned by people.
This is on a Saturday morning when many people are doing their weekend
fix up jobs on their homes. Lower
skilled jobs are being replaced by technology.
Those jobs that are in the 1/3 that don’t require post-high school
education are lower pay, less stable, fewer benefits, and the future may not be
bright in terms of employability.
Notice the term in the title: post-high school
education? This is more inclusive of
various options a student can pursue after high school. Those options are: two/four year college,
apprenticeship, on-the-job training with a company, military, career and
technical education through a community college or technical school, or get a
job. If you are a person who is more of
a hands-on learner, check out options available in apprenticing in a trade or
skill, the military, or career and technical programs in a community college or
technical school. Many of those job
opportunities pay well, have great futures, and benefits are available. Also consider starting your own business as
some specialties will roll into a business well like auto technology, culinary
arts, construction technology, etc.
Do not leave yourself short in regard to a good job
opportunity for the future. Americans
commonly have a 40 year work career which is a long time to settle for lower
pay, fewer benefits, and less ability to provide for yourself and a future
family.
Steve - ICAN Council Bluffs Office
