In a recent article (September 30, 2024) in Education Week, Sarah D. Sparks asked,“What is the best way to put all students on a path to financial security and fulfilling work?” (View Article Here).

Sparks examined increases in dual-credit (high school and college) programs to help students get into college and finish sooner.While the data indicates an overall decline in the percentage of students enrolling in college over the past decade, the data also shows an increase in the enrollment in certificate programs.

At Youth.Work.Connect, we believe that professional networking during high school can lead to better outcomes for students interested in both college and certificate programs.

If high school students have explored career options with the help of knowledgeable adult allies, they can make more informed decisions about post-high school education. These better decisions can potentially lead to more informed choices about how to spend one’s time and money for post-secondary education. In her article, Sparks quotes Jeff Strohl of the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce as saying, “There’s a lot more churning in and out of different pathways, and… youth don’t have good ways to connect to employment and careers.”

We believe that spending time in high school reflecting on and gathering information about future employment could potentially reduce the “churn” and save students both time and money.