There is Life After College by Jeffrey J. Selingo
“Our twentieth-century education system is woefully out of
sync with this twenty-first century economy that demands highly knowledgeable
and flexible workers.” This quote from the introduction of Life After College perfectly sums up the entire book. To simplify
this quote, education is woefully out of sync.
When I graduated college Myspace was the reigning champion
in social media. Facebook, at the time, was a hobby or diversion for a few
college students. Today, Myspace is a memory and Facebook dominates not just
social media but our entire online experience. Rapid technological innovations and
global market change everything we know almost constantly. Businesses and
organizations cannot keep up. Education, from kindergarten to graduate schools,
lag behind even farther.
Life After College
is really about promoting education outside of college. Selingo introduces the
reader to the importance of gap years, bridge programs, on-the-job training,
internships, geographic advantages and so forth.
College is not the final straw anymore. It may be a very
important straw, but it is not the final one. Gone are the days when simply
getting a college degree guarantees you economic stability. With a growing
number on college graduates and competition from people around the world, a
college graduate needs to show up with more than a fancy diploma. “What you do
in college is more important that where you go to college” (215).
I enjoyed this book a lot. Selingo knows his stuff and his
writing is impeccable. I’m not fan of gap years and bridge programs that are
highlighted in the book. I think these programs only highlight the change
needed in higher education. Additionally, I am not a supporter of gap years
because I know without a doubt that a gap year would have been detrimental for
me. Delaying formal education would have been a bad idea for me. Even though I
changed my major three times in college and my career goals a dozen times,
college still gave me the structure and space I needed to succeed. Having said
that, college may not be ideal for everyone and I understand that.
My favorite piece in the book is the chapter on employers.
Usually we hear about how employers are frustrated at their new hirers, so it
was great to hear how employers are also lost and unprepared.
I am always disappointed when I read about students choosing
a college or a career and there is very little discussion about passion or
higher calling. Finding a job that pays well is important, but finding a job
that employs your strengths, empowers your soul, and inspires your passion is
absolutely vital. That is why I really enjoyed the final chapter on telling
your career story.
This is a great book with amazing information and I highly
recommend.
