Three Reasons to Attend College

Vickie Sax

Nationally, there is a movement to increase the number of high school students who attend some form of

post-secondary education.

This movement is being driven by three major factors.

1. President Obama’s American Graduation Initiative

Goal:

• 5 million additional college graduates by the year 2020, above and beyond our current graduation rate

• Translates to an extra 500,000 college graduates each year, from 2010 to 2020

“Now is the time to build a firmer, stronger foundation for growth

that will not only withstand future economic storms, but one that helps us thrive and compete in a global economy. It’s time to reform our community colleges

so that they provide Americans of all ages a chance to learn the

skills and knowledge necessary to compete for the jobs of the

future.”

President Barack Obama,

July 14, 2009

2. Workforce Needs

• By the year 2018 …– 62% (103 of 162 million) of jobs in the United States

will require a post-secondary education

– More than ever before

– 22 million more Associates, Bachelors, and Graduate degrees are required to fill this need

– Highest proportion of such jobs will be needed in the northeast

– NY ranks 18th in the nation; 63% of jobs in NY will require a post-secondary education

Georgetown Univ. Center on Education and the Workforce,

June, 2010; http://cew.georgetown.edu/jobs2018/

Jobs That Will Require A Post-Secondary Education

Types of Jobs That Will Require a Post-Secondary Education

Projected Number of Jobs

sales and office support 28 million

managerial and professional office 15 million

food and personal services 12 million

manufacturing, trade, construction 12 million

community services and arts 10 million

education 10 million

science, technology, engineering, math 8 million

healthcare 8 million

3. Individual Economic Security

• On average, individuals with a post-secondary education earn more and have lower rates of unemployment • U.S. Census Bureau, 2002

• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011

• National Center on Education Statistics, 2011