HIGHER EDUCATION 2023 SPECIAL SECTION
post-graduation . Overall , almost 45 million Americans have student loan debt according to Forbes — a cost that leaves many incoming freshmen wondering if it is worth the price .
Declines in Enrollment
There is an ongoing enrollment crisis hitting colleges and universities across the nation , as the undergraduate student body dropped by nearly 1.5 million according to data from the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center . High school graduates and college students are disenrolling and instead seeking out jobs since the pot is sweetened for entrylevel roles as companies try to fill their talent pipelines .
According to a recent survey conducted by ResumeBuilder , more than half of the hiring managers surveyed said they have lowered the education requirements for entry-level positions , stating they did so due to the labor shortage . While some high school grads are choosing to start their careers , data does show that first-time freshman enrollment is up , and higher ed is looking at a variety of ways to satisfy students ’ desire for a flexible learning model .
Flexible Learning According to the NCES , a nontraditional student is defined as a student who enrolls one or more years after graduating high school , or one who attends college part time . These students make up nearly 75 percent of students enrolled in higher education , making the need to satisfy them a priority .
Online learning platforms continue to grow in popularity , with the pandemic forcing institutions to establish and /
or bolster virtual classrooms , with 97 percent of college students switching to online learning in 2020 . This flexible option provides both students and professors the ability to learn from virtually anywhere anytime . Students who may have been unable to relocate to the school of their dreams now have the opportunity to attend a school anywhere in the world .
This flexible learning also makes it possible for working students to complete schoolwork after a workday , an additional incentive for those who are offered corporate tuition reimbursement from their employer .
Corporate Partnerships
The competition for suitable employees is hot as the labor shortage continues , leaving companies and corporations to choose from a limited pool of talent . Many organizations are losing out on talent due to higher wages or additional incentives not possible from all employers . Corporations are stepping up their recruitment game , partnering with institutions to ensure that classroom curriculum aligns with the job skills they are requiring . Many of these corporate-institution partnerships result in placement programs that provide students with a job after graduation — a winwin-win for all parties involved .
These trends give us a hopeful outlook for students entering college or the workforce ( or both ) this year .
10 College Majors That Hold Promising Career Paths The demand for talent continues to rise for all industries , so choosing just one path may be challenging when there is so much opportunity out there . Students looking to enroll in a college or university should take time to explore their strengths and passions .
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