students across the country with hopes to pursue higher education .
Students incur an average of $ 30,000 in debt after graduation , setting them up to start out in the red as they enter the working world . Many parents try to ease that burden for their kids by saving from an early age , but even then , parents find themselves averaging $ 35,000 in loan debt 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 entry-level 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 firsttime 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 corporateinstitution partnerships result in placement programs that provide students with a job after graduation — a win-winwin 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 .
As Mark Twain once said , “ Find a job you enjoy doing and you will never have to work a day in your life .” While that may not always feel true , it is important to find value in the work you do . When choosing a college major , think about what fuels you , what interests spark joy , and what you could see yourself doing until retirement .
Almost all industries are looking for talent , but the following majors are in demand , according to Indeed . com :
1 . Nursing – Health care workers are true heroes . Nursing has had a steady employment rate for years , and continues to grow . With the once largest generation of Baby Boomers entering later stages of life , and the now largest generation of Millennials having children , nurses are in high demand for our increasing population . 2 . Computer Science – This major can span many industries and focuses on exposure to both computer hardware and software . The current advancements in technology have computer science majors learning about robotics , natural language recognition , and artificial intelligence , among other fields . Careers with this degree include IT consultant , information systems manager , database administrator , games developer and technical writer . 3 . Business Administration – If you ’ re not quite sure what career path to take , business administration could be a good option . A degree in business administration could open myriad doors to industries large and small , allowing your skills to be versatile . Business administrators typically work in an office setting and hold a managerial position .
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