For decades, the conventional wisdom has been that earning a four-year college degree was a crucial step toward upward social mobility, and to a large extent, that still holds true today. Georgetown University It shows that people with a bachelor's degree earn significantly more over their lifetime than those without a college education.

But in recent years, many have begun to question the value of college. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) According to the report, college costs have risen far faster than inflation over the past 40 years. Currently over $1.77 trillion. by New American According to the think tank, 3.5 million Americans over the age of 60 are still struggling to pay off their student loans.

In the past, people who decided not to go to college could pursue other forms of higher education or training, get a job, start a business, or join the military. But many young people today are instead choosing a “none of the above” approach. Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas It has been reported that the proportion of young people aged 18 to 24 who are “isolated” – that is, not in employment or education – is the highest it has been in 40 years. 1 in 3 U.S. adults ages 18 to 34 They still live at home with their parents.

Given the current realities young people face, it’s understandable that they may be skeptical about the value of a college degree, but the reality is that finding a job or career that pays better, aligns with your personal values, and provides work-life balance requires some education or training to give you marketable skills.

So, if you don't go to college, what will you become?

by Society for Resource Management (SHRM) Gen Z's interest in skilled trades has increased significantly in recent years, as evidenced by declining college enrollments and increased participation in vocational training programs. There are many reasons why young workers are considering skilled trades, according to recruitment agencies. Employment LevelThese include high-demand occupations that offer job security, competitive salaries, immediate job availability and minimal debt, hands-on learning, diverse career opportunities, etc. Additionally, many people who have pursued careers in skilled trades report being satisfied with their jobs.

There are several professions health care and technology According to job search site Indeed, there are plenty of jobs out there that don't require a degree, and a combination of certification, apprenticeships and on-the-job training can lead to high-paying jobs.

Even employers who traditionally looked for job applicants with degrees are starting to consider applicants without degrees but who have work experience. Research by Intelligent.com It shows that roughly half of U.S. employers have eliminated college degree requirements for applicants in order to broaden the pool of potential candidates and promote more inclusive hiring practices.

Despite these positive changes, the gap between perception and reality in streamlining education and employment transitions remains a challenge. For example, despite the potential for skilled jobs, National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Many teens indicate they remain skeptical about pursuing opportunities in these fields, due to a lack of understanding of the earning potential of these professions, continuing societal stigma against so-called “blue-collar” jobs, and the K-12 education system's continued emphasis on college degrees.

While an increasing number of employers are eliminating college degree requirements, Employment has not increased for people without a degree Often, candidates without a degree, even when hired, tend to receive lower salaries than their predecessors with college degrees.

This is a complex reality, but one that young people need to understand before making life-changing decisions. There are no easy answers, but giving young people the ability to ask the right questions to help them plan before taking on student loans or completely abandoning a promising education, training, or career path is preferable to not having any plans for the future at all.

Junior Achievement is committed to smoothing the transition from education to employment with a focus on work and career readiness. JA partners with organizations in the communities it serves to help students connect what they learn in school to life outside the classroom, including future jobs and careers. A survey conducted by Ipsos According to Junior Achievement research, JA graduates report that their learning experience at JA has a positive impact on their educational and career outcomes.

When it comes to education, work and careers, JA alumni nationwide say Junior Achievement positively influenced their decisions to pursue higher education, professional development and career paths: 90% say it exposed them to different ways of thinking, 89% say it motivated them to succeed in their professional lives, and 88% say JA broadened their horizons. Similarly, 88% say it inspired them to consider new job opportunities and career paths. Four in five (80%) say they find their careers very fulfilling.

In terms of matching education with career outcomes, three in four JA graduates (73%) who graduated from college say they are working in the field they studied in college. According to a survey by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, only one in four American college graduates (27%) He says he works in the field he studied at school.

Additionally, more than two-thirds (69%) of JA graduates say they are currently working in their dream job. According to a Mid-America Nazarene College survey, only 25% of the “typical” American says they are working in their “dream job.”

To learn more about how to get involved with Junior Achievement, please visit our website. Alabama.

Chip Reed is president of Junior Achievement of Alabama.