An Education and a Job

The expectation of employment after graduation is fundamental to the rationale for American higher education. The public is challenging the economic value of a college education and job readiness is at the heart of the debate. Ironically, academics believe their students are being well prepared for employment in the private sector but potential employers strongly disagree. To address this challenge schools must be transparent about the credential they are offering and if job readiness is not an explicit objective that should be disclosed. Other steps that cannot enhance job readiness include involving non-traditional instructors; develop innovative faculty training; integrate internships and experiential learning into the curriculum; address the career issue during the first year and set measurable goals for career readiness initiatives.