Trade schools are significantly reshaping post-secondary education choices by providing a clear, practical path from learning to earning. The rise in trade school enrollments directly reflects the absence of career and academic advising programs in colleges and universities that guide students on a defined educational pathway focused on job and career outcomes.
A 2024 Pew Research Center study found that while most Americans still consider a college degree important, public sentiment about its value is mixed. Students and their parents are becoming increasingly skeptical regarding the worth of a bachelor's degree. They question whether the high costs, debt burdens, uncertain job prospects, gaps between educational training and employer needs, and the existence of valid job training alternatives justify the time and significant financial investment required for a degree.
However, their skepticism does not necessarily mean that they think college lacks value; rather, it indicates their increasing demand for higher education to prove its value proposition during a time of rising costs and evolving workplace needs.
Today’s institutions of higher learning need to take a page from the trade schools’ playbook by providing students with clear and defined pathways to jobs and careers. When students enter a trade school, they encounter a pathway defined by precise, structured steps: practical outcomes, organized learning, and a strong alignment with industry and their employment goals.
Today’s college students are asking for academic and career advising to help them navigate their college journey. With nearly half of college students (47%) not confident or only somewhat confident that they know how to get a job after college, it makes sense for institutions to acknowledge the message students are sending. They want the support and tools to navigate their academic experience with a clear focus on determining their job and career options and opportunities.
Institutions must be more proactive and effective in helping college students understand their strengths, values, interests, and career pathways, including exposure to various professions and careers. Implementing proactive and comprehensive career exploration and academic advising approaches will substantially mitigate the skepticism surrounding the value of a bachelor's degree. In the process of ensuring that the student’s college journey is focused on an outcome of graduating with marketable skills and career readiness that align with the demands of the job market, colleges, and universities will be positively reshaping current and future students and parent’s perceptions of the value of a college degree.
A proactive and comprehensive approach to career exploration and academic advising must consider:
Trade schools are reshaping post-secondary education by offering clear, practical pathways to employment while emphasizing outcomes and transparency. Colleges and universities can address skepticism about their value and return on investment by providing timely, personalized, data-driven academic and career advising that equips students with relevant knowledge and skills, ensuring career readiness and offering personal growth opportunities that align with the demands of a rapidly evolving job market.
Originally published on LinkedIn on May 20, 2025.