Redefining Success

Educating with Common Sense
As a parent of teenagers, I have bought into the mindset that my children MUST go to college in order to be “successful” and get a good job. As a well educated professional that is up to my eyeballs in student loan debt, I am not so sure that mindset is valid. And as a workforce development professional that understands the overwhelming need for technical skills in today’s business world, I know it is time for my “mom mindset” to catch up with the times. 🙂

Although it may seem like good news that the “college for all” philosophy I bought into as a mom has led to 66% of high school graduates enrolling in college, only about 25% of those that enroll in college actually graduate with a four year degree or higher with approximately 50% winding up under employed.1 Sadly, of the graduates, almost 80% don’t know what they want to do with their degree and 84% plan to move back in with their parent.2

The good news is that in today’s economy 57% of the job openings are for skilled workers (those requiring a certificate or two year degree), and the income for a top earner in a skilled job is greater than the average income for someone with a four year degree.1

At Workforce Solutions we are dedicated to ensuring current and future job seekers are well educated about the knowledge, skills, and abilities required to be “successful” in this new economy; where the most education might not necessarily equal top earning potential. To help with this endeavor, there are many career planning and career exploration tools available on the Workforce Solutions website. We are also working in conjunction with schools and other youth programs to ensure young people are not just well educated, but also aware of the new definition of success.

1 Success in the New Economy

2 Prepared or Just Educated? Presented by Chad Foster 3/28/2014

Bobi Cook is a Regional Facilitator for Workforce Solutions in the Houston – Galveston area. She currently conducts job skills seminars throughout the 13 county Gulf Coast region utilizing her MBA and over ten cumulative years experience as a professional educator, quality systems manager within the automotive industry, and small business administrator to help job seekers develop and implement successful job search campaigns.

Author: Blogforce

Workforce Solutions provides comprehensive human resource services for businesses and residents of the 13-county Houston-Galveston Gulf Coast region. Workforce Solutions helps employers solve workforce-related business problems and area residents build careers, so that both can better compete in the changing worldwide economy. Our Employer Service Division provides personalized service to help employers find qualified applicants for their jobs, build the skills and expertise of their new and current employees, and address human resource needs. We operate multiple community-based career offices in 13 Texas Gulf Coast counties to help residents get a job, keep a job or get a better job – offering placement, career counseling and financial aid services. We partner with the region’s businesses, educational institutions, civic organizations and community leaders to find solutions to current and future labor needs of industries that are vital to the region and its economy.

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