Graphic source: http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hq59B0h9xMw/UHSApEKUMeI/AAAAAAAAL8U/7aMe2etDm1I/s1600/healthliteracyumbrellasmaller1.jpg |
October 16, 2014 - October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM)
Graphic source: http://www.jbsa.af.mil/shared/media/photodb/
photos/2012/10/121011-F-JB669-001.jpg
For more information, see Domestic Violence Resources
October 15, 2014 - October 15th is National Latino AIDS Awareness Day
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From the 10/9/14 CDC's NCHHSTP Newsroom: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released a new analysis showing that fewer than half of Latinos diagnosed with HIV are receiving the treatment and care they need. HIV treatment is critically important because it helps people live longer, healthier lives and can prevent transmission of the virus to partners.
Key Findings:
In 2010, among Latinos who had been diagnosed with HIV:
- Just over half (54 percent) were retained in care
- Fewer than half (44 percent) were prescribed antiretroviral therapy
Just 37 percent achieved viral suppression meaning the virus is under control at a level that helps keep people healthy and reduces the risk of transmitting the virus to others
- HIV remains a major public health concern in Latino communities. Latinos bear a disproportionate burden of HIV in the United States, representing 17 percent of the population but 21 percent of new HIV infections.
- CDC is committed to a high-impact prevention approach to ensure resources are directed to activities that will have the greatest impact on reducing HIV among hard-hit populations, including Latinos.
For more information, see National Latino AIDS Awareness Day, Latino Commission on AIDS and Minority Health - Hispanic Americans
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October 14, 2014 - October 11 - The International Day of the Girl Child
For more information, see Unicef's International Day of the Girl Child and Day of the Girl: Improving Girls' Health and Safety
October 11, 2014 - October 5 - 11 was Mental Health Awareness Week
Graphic source: http://mrmilitantnegro.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/bzqbwuecuaa7aoo.jpg?w=468&h=265
For more information, see Mental Health Resource
October 10, 2014 - October 10 is World Mental Health Day
Graphic source: http://projects.nhsonline.org/images/email-campaigns/world-mental-health4FB.jpg |
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
The theme for 2014 is Living with schizophrenia. The focus of the World Health Organization will be living a healthy life with schizophrenia.
For more information, see WHO's World Mental Health Day |
October 9, 2014 - What Employers Are Looking for in College Graduates
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| So, I am now coming to a close on this mini-series of analyzing the findings of Chronicle.com's "The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions" (December 2012).
During the past two weeks I have highlighted those slides I thought were of the utmost importance to college students today, and for those who actually pay for the tuition, whether it is the students themselves, or the parents who work endlessly to pay the bills.
 Today's slide is one of the summary slides that highlights the real message from the report, and that is, what are the employers looking for in a college graduate? Basically, see the section highlighted in yellow. It's actually a simple message, and that is, hone those writing and oral communication skills, learn to effectively multi-task, be adaptable and learn to make decisions and problem-solve.
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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October 8, 2014 - Regardless of what industry you would like to work in, they will check for your online presence!
October 7, 2014 - Employers in 6 states cannot ask for your social media password!
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| If you look for a job in California, Illinois, Delaware, Maryland, Michigan and New Jersey, you are in luck! Potential employers cannot ask for your Facebook or Twitter passwords. (http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/bulletin/can-a-prospective-employer-ask-for-your-facebook-password/9366)
Of course, that leaves the 44 states in which there are no laws that say potential employers can't do this. So, if you are going to put anything online, just take it for granted that it's an open book. And, if you don't feel like having an open book online, for everyone to see, then don't put that stuff online!
Here you see that if potential employers are going to search for you, they are going to check LinkedIn, Facebook, other social media and do some googling to see what kind of surprises they can come up with. Don't let them find surprises, especially surprises that even surprise you! I have heard enough horror stories of people who "want my life back" because their online reputation have been electronically damaged.
Even though you cannot be anonymous online if you want to find a decent job these days, there are, unfortunately, cretins that hide out on the fringes of the Internet wreaking havoc that range from cyber-bullying to identity theft. So, it never hurts to be a little wary of how you get around online and what you do while you are there.
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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October 6, 2014 - October 6 is Child Health Day
Graphic source:http://www.mchb.hrsa.gov/childhealthday/
For more information, see HRSA Maternal and Child Health Page
October 3, 2014 - October is Cyber Security Awareness Month
Graphic source:
http://www.identogo.com/portals/1/Cyber%20Security%20Awareness%20Month.png
For more information, see Internet Information
October 2, 2014 - October is Bully Prevention Month
For more information, see Stopbullying.gov and Kids Health
October 1, 2014 - October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Graphic source: http://3sqwx948hrd81g4i2f3jiqzdn8z.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/comicsgopinkheader.jpg
For more information, see CDC's September is National Cholesterol Education Month and Breast Cancer Information
September 30, 2014 - September is National Cholesterol Education Month
Map source: http://up4health.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/fs_cholesterol.jpg
For more information, see CDC's September is National Cholesterol Education Month and Cardiovascular Disease Information
September 29, 2014 - World Heart Day September 29, 2014
For more information, see Cardiovascular Disease
September 26, 2014 - If you look for a job, potential employers will most likely look for you online!
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| Let's face it, the Internet is no place to keep a secret. Once any information about you is out there, it's out there, for better or worse. So, it's important to think before you post, as well as be aware of what is out there about you.
This slide shows that 42 to 64% of hiring managers do their intel online. Google has just made it so simple to search anyone, so why not? Companies save so much money on background checks when they can easily do it from the comfort of their desktop.
The flip side of this is, they better be able to find "something" about you online, and just hope that it's nothing but good things. Basically, this means you have to diligently maintain a positive presence online that even your grandmother would be proud of. Also, you are not being vain when you google yourself, you are just being proactive. Better you find the shameful and embarrassing things "someone" posted about you and clean it up than being confronted by the "What was this about?" question. Online reputation has become a big cottage industry, and you could just save yourself a lot grief by being a bit more discriminating about what you post. What happens "wherever" should stay "wherever," not online.
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 25, 2014 - How different industries value work experience
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| Work experience is always important. The longer you are away from your college education, the more work experience counts toward career development. While it is understandable why graduate and certificate program enrollment is highly valued for the Education industry, it is very interesting that volunteer work in a community organization or nonprofit would count so highly as well.
Educational institutions are into being part of the communities they are geographically located in because they want to foster good will while recruiting for students to attend their institutions. Those who know how to cultivate community relationships can cement the ties universities would like to have with potential sponsors and donors as well.
Colleges and universities like to see themselves as the cultural center for the community, offering programs and events that draw attention to the good works they do to enhance the community they are part of. Most schools aggressively recruit for the best athletes to play on their school teams, generating positive press that works towards recruiting good students who want to be part of such illustrious institutions of learning. They also offer academic expertise through the faculty that teach there, some who may be leaders in their field of study, bringing in research monies and professional acclaim, thus, elevating their prestige.
Thus, those with community-based work experience know all about fundraising, coalition building, generating good will and cultivating donors that will bring in funding so the good work can continue.
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 24, 2014 - Study hard, but get some job experience while attending college
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| What does this slide show? The importance of staying "productively" busy while attending college. While paid internships are nice, such opportunities are few and far between. Regardless of whether you are paid or not, getting work experience is key to making a good impression on those looking to hire you.
Internships in a related field means "work experience" in the field you want to eventually get a full time job in. And, because "someone" gave you a chance (even if it's unpaid), hiring managers would be more willing to give you a chance, too, that is, provided you did a good job with your internship and was smart enough to cultivate a good relationship with whoever was supervising you. If you impressed your internship supervisor enough to vouch for you, so much the better.
Good references give you leverage, but it's another positive impact factor in the big equation about whether or not you are worth it for them to hire you. But, please remember that references are "earned advantages" , as I call them. Don't ever put down a person's name as a reference without first asking for the privilege to do so. Remember, no one is ever obligated to give you a good reference. You have to earn that through diligent work.
Note the emphasis on this slide is about impact. While working in a job unrelated to your career path has only a slight positive impact, it basically has no impact, which is fine, because that's better than a negative impact, provided there are no other factors to consider.
Continuing your education has a positive impact because it shows that you are good at academic work and that you are ambitious in learning more content and skills that would benefit a potential employer. The fact that you have been accepted to a graduate program implies you did well enough in your undergraduate studies to get into a graduate program. Being enrolled in a certification program shows you are serious about your career aspirations. Also, keep in mind that employers won't have to spend the money to provide additional training if you are coming on board with all those advanced skills and knowledge!
Perhaps, the most important point from this slide is not working has a negative impact, unless of course you have a GPA of 4.0, which would indicate your total commitment to excelling academically. If you have less than stellar grades while not working, be prepared to justify your grades to a potential employer who only has your academic transcript to go by. How would you answer the question about all those Cs and Ds when you are asked, "Did you work hard for these grades?"
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 23, 2014 - Best College Majors, by Industry
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| Here is some useful information about choosing a college major. Your major may be a prime consideration for those industries you may want to work for in the future. While it seems that a "business" or "information technology" major can put you in the running for many industries (everyone has to run a business and everyone uses computers), they won't beat out those with a desirable major for a particular industry, thus giving these people a competitive edge.
For example, if you are thinking of working in the health care industry, majoring in nursing is smart because it is such a desirable area of expertise in the eyes of those who hire in this area. Most companies involved with providing health care need nurses to provide the daily care their customers (patients) need. It's a simple as that. So, you should explore what you really enjoy doing and find a major that is compatible with what you won't ever get tired of doing, hour after hour, day after day, year after year, etc.
So, this is the way you should view this slide when planning your college studies. And, it is always important to keep in mind that the occupational outlook can change rather rapidly. For example, in the field of technology, who would have ever thought that a degree in information systems would be considered as one with the worst employment outlook in 2013? But, it was voted #1 (http://education.yahoo.net/articles/worst_majors_for_employment.htm) with an unemployment rate of 14.7%!
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 22, 2014 - College reputation counts
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| Perhaps the best news from this particular slide is going to a public college will not compromise your chances of getting the job you want. Public colleges have their advantages, one of which because they are usually large institutions they can provide diversity at many levels, from student population to course offerings. You get a chance to interact with more people, exposing you to many diverse views and perspectives, all good for helping you to develop tolerance of differences and learning to value the positives in those differences.
Some may find such an environment intimidating and may choose smaller institutions in which they can get more personal attention, which may be harder at massively large colleges. Nevertheless, you should be able to get a good education at any institution that is appropriately accredited. You can check to see if the colleges you are considering is listed in: The U.S. Department of Education's Database of Postsecondary Institutions and Programs. For certain professions, it is essential that you graduate from an accredited program or you may not be able to sit for certifying and/or licensing exams, which are essential for you to practice in that area.
What is not reflected in this slide is the finding that going to an institution that is widely known is better than going to one that no one has ever heard of. Given how mobile we are these days, most public colleges are known outside of their states and regional areas, and that can be a major plus. There is a higher likelihood that you may run into a fellow alum from a larger college than you would if you attended smaller institutions. It's like being a New Yorker. No matter where you go around the world, you will most likely run into someone who either has lived and/or worked there. Instant camaraderie!
In any institution of higher learning students should take advantage of their time there to connect with as many people as they can. This can happen while attending classes to working on school, extracurricular and volunteer activities. Good relationships during college can pay off in the long run. This study found that those in position to hire will consider employee referrals. This means that someone you know well, that you have taken the time to get to know, may some day provide you with an opportunity to get hired.
For example, if you have worked on class projects with others, you really do get to know what they are like. I can tell you that in such situations no one likes slackers. And, that is truer in the work environment. You have to carry your own weight and be willing to help others when the need arises. If you are not into team work and collaboration you may have a hard time finding a good fit with many work environments existing today.
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 19, 2014 - Does size matter?
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| When it comes to seeking employment, size does matter, that is, company size. What kind of work environment makes you feel most comfortable in? Where do you fit in? Employers are interested in finding people who can fit in to what is already there. After all, everyone who is already working there has been handpicked to work there. Employers have a certain workforce sense that works best for them. So, you can understand why they want to keep things as they are, on a smooth and even keel. They don't want to play referee among feuding workers because, after all, they have a company to run, and manager don't exactly enjoy being playground monitors.
Especially in this era of teamwork and collaboration, being flexible and adaptable are skills worth learning and practicing. Such skills are highly prized in smaller companies that value the "family-oriented" (or, mom and pop enterprises) atmosphere. If you have siblings you are already way ahead of the game, especially, if you all survived to adulthood without severe emotional injuries. Remember, all companies started out small.
Researchers actually looked at what companies are looking for, by company size. Naturally, larger companies may be able to pay you more, but then they expect a lot more from you, thus, internships and working while in college count highly with them. This is not to say that small companies are not as picky as larger companies.
But, small companies can offer a bit more freedom about job responsibilities that larger companies cannot. This is why they would value volunteer experience and extracurricular activities more than larger companies. Those who volunteer and participate in extracurricular activities are a bit more idealistic and social than those who don't participate.
These are people who get involved, even though they are not paid, in activities and causes they believe in, in which they feel that their input and energy can make a difference in a cause, in the lives of others, or move something forward for the greater good. These are wonderful attributes to have that smaller companies want, and desperately need. They want creative people with fire in their bellies, willing to put in the time and energy to grow and move their company forward, doing whatever needs to be done! Good work ethic does not always come with a paycheck, but being productive has its own rewards.
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 18, 2014 - Essential skills: Time and stress management
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| An analysis was performed looking at the various industries one could work in. Regardless of what industry you would like to work in, doing an internship relevant to where you eventually want to work is vital. Especially for those interested in media/communication, it is absolutely essential. But, then again, internships are at the top of every industry studied, followed by work during college.
Why are they looking for graduates who did an internship and/or worked while in college? What they are looking for are qualities that make for good workers, people who can manage their time and their stress.
What employers are interested in is how well you can handle multiple tasks. Only those with good time management can handle multiple tasks and do them well. This means knowing how to prioritize your time. It means being able to distinguish what is a want and what is a need. Good time management means First, do what needs to be done, and then doing what you want to do - if there is enough time. Ask anyone who is good at procrasinating. They know exactly what they need to do, but they don't want to!
So, if you are stressing out about how you can possibly do everything you "have to" do, it may be more of knowing what's a need and what's a want, rather than getting frazzled over trying to make a decision to do it all. Yes, stress management is a definite skill you need to learn while in college, if you haven't done so already. Of course, if you manage your time well (prioritizing what absolutely needs to be done first, etc.), your stress will most likely decrease as well.
For more info, see Stress Management
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 17, 2014 - The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions
Graphic & Citation source: http://chronicle.com/items/biz/pdf/Employers%20Survey.pdf
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| In December 2012, Chronicle.com released the report,"The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions." Unfortunately, this report did not get the press I thought it should have gotten. I thought it was a well-done report that raised critical issues about what a college education should achieve.
Economic factors play a critical role as to whether or not a person receives a college education. As an educator, I contend that if you can do the work required to earn a college degree you should go for it. This is simply because I believe in the value of getting as good an education you are capable of.
A college education is expensive, so it really becomes a matter of whether or not it is worth the expense and time you would invest in this 4-year (or more) activity. From a practical standpoint, you are hoping that it is an investment that's going to pay off in the long run. In my recent postings, August 3-13, I have presented statistics indicating that earning a bachelor's degree does pay off, over the course of a lifetime. But, given the bad economy, you are probably wondering, does it really, really pay off?
Well, what I like about this particular report is that it is based on a survey of those who do the hiring - managers, human resources personnel, executives. These are basically the people who can really tell you what the value of a college education is in the job market. Their feedback is vital because they are the ones who are investing their company's money in you when they hire you. So, do they think a college education is important? What are they looking for in those they hire? You will find out, and you will know exactly what you need to do!
So, I am going to highlight 12 of 85 slides from this report that deserve your attention, whether you are a student, teacher/professor, or parent. Frankly, anyone who is interested in Higher Education should probably read the report that is available online (see citation source below for the link). I will give you an overview of what I think are the poignant points from this report.
If you have earned your college degree and you go looking for work, what do you think employers look for? Internships and employment while in college. Word to the wise? If you are in school now, make sure you get some work experience into the mix. It would be nice to get paid for what you do, but don't let unpaid opportunities deter you. Volunteer experience and extracurricular activities count, too! Work experience counts a lot when you are looking for job. As it is true for ANY job seeker, employers want to hire someone who already has a job. (Only the Employed Need to Apply: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970203872404574257983795638374.html")
Citation source: Chronicle.com's The Role of Higher Education in Career Development: Employer Perceptions, December 2012
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September 16, 2014 - U.S. Census - Educational Attainment Search
Graphic source: http://www.census.gov/hhes/socdemo/education/data/acs/infographics/ |
The U.S. Census provides a search page in which you see how much you can earn according to your college major. Just click on the graphic to access this page, and then choose your major.
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September 15, 2014 - U.S. Census - Life Earnings by Field of Bachelor's Degree and Occupation Group
Graphic source: http://www.census.gov/dataviz/visualizations/056/ |
| According to the U.S. Census "Synthetic Work-Life Earnings by Field of Bachelor's Degree and Occupation Group for Full-Time, Year-Round Workers Whose Highest Attainment is a Bachelor's Degree":
"A bachelor's degree holder can expect to earn about $2.4 million over his or her work life. However, not everyone with the same college major and level of education earns the same amount. Engineering majors make the most of any college major, at $3.5 million, but this varies widely between engineering majors who work in service occupations ($1.4 million) and those who work in management occupations ($4.1 million). Education majors make the least, at $1.8 million, and no occupation for education majors provides higher earnings than the average for bachelor's degree holders. For more information: The classification of fields of degree and occupations"
SOURCE: Julian, Tiffany, "Work-Life Earnings by Field of Degree and Occupation for People With a Bachelor's Degree: 2011," American Community Survey, U.S. Census Bureau, October 2012, available at
http://www.census.gov/prod/2012pubs/acsbr11-04.pdf
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September 12, 2014 - Illiteracy and the Ebola Epidemic
Graphic source: http://www.vox.com/2014/9/4/6103039/Seven-reasons-why-this-ebola-virus-outbreak-epidemic-out-of-control
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"Health campaigning and raising health literacy is not easy in places where people can't read. As you can see in the map below, the countries that are now most affected by Ebola Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, circled in green are also the ones with the lowest literacy rates in the world."
Citation source: http://www.vox.com/2014/9/4/6103039/Seven-reasons-why-this-ebola-virus-outbreak-epidemic-out-of-control |
September 11, 2014 - Thirteenth Anniversary of 9/11/2001
Let us never forget all the innocent lives that were lost on that fateful day, and once again thank all the brave civil servants who died in the line duty. Many thanks to Suzanvitti.org for these wonderful graphics.
September 10, 2014 - World Suicide Prevention Day
Graphic source: http://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/suicide/WHO-report.html
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Today is World Suicide Prevention Day, the World Health Organization is issuing its first global report on suicide, Preventing Suicide: A Global Imperative. According to WHO:
- "More than 800 000 people die by suicide every year around one person every 40 seconds, according to WHO's first global report on suicide prevention, published today. Some 75% of suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries.
- Pesticide poisoning, hanging and firearms are among the most common methods of suicide globally. Evidence from Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United States and a number of European countries reveals that limiting access to these means can help prevent people dying by suicide. Another key to reducing deaths by suicide is a commitment by national governments to the establishment and implementation of a coordinated plan of action. Currently, only 28 countries are known to have national suicide prevention strategies.">
- Suicides are preventable
- Reducing access to means of suicide is one way to reduce deaths. Other effective measures include responsible reporting of suicide in the media, such as avoiding language that sensationalizes suicide and avoiding explicit description of methods used, and early identification and management of mental and substance use disorders in communities and by health workers in particular.
- Follow-up care by health workers through regular contact, including by phone or home visits, for people who have attempted suicide, together with provision of community support, are essential, because people who have already attempted suicide are at the greatest risk of trying again."
- Citation sources: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/news/releases/2014/suicide-prevention-report/en/
For more information, see Suicide Prevention , where you can find a link to various Suicide Prevention resources, including the U.S. Surgeon General's 2012 National Strategy for Suicide Prevention: Goals and Objectives for Action.
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September 9, 2014 - CDC Ebola Statistics
Graphic source: http://www.vox.com/2014/9/4/6103039/Seven-reasons-why-this-ebola-virus-outbreak-epidemic-out-of-control
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Vox's "Seven reasons why this Ebola epidemic spun out of control" notes:
- 1) Public-health campaigns started too late and didn't reach enough people
- 2) The countries affected by Ebola have some of the world's lowest literacy rates
- 3) There's a strong Ebola rumor mill
- 4) Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea are some of the poorest countries in Africa with fragile health systems
- 5) These countries have spotty disease surveillance networks
- 6) The international community responded painfully slowly
- 7) The countries most affected and our world is increasingly interconnected."
- Citation source: http://www.vox.com/2014/9/4/6103039/Seven-reasons-why-this-ebola-virus-outbreak-epidemic-out-of-control
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September 8, 2014 - Latest Ebola Statistics
Graphic source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ebola-chart-terrifying-195400062.html
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| Given modern-day advances I was hoping that the Ebola epidemic would blow over, but apparently not.
In Yahoo! Finance's 9/5/14's "This Ebola Chart Is Terrifying" features this Reuters graphic, and reports:
- On August 29, the World Health Organization reported that more than "40% of the total number of cases have occurred within the past 21 days." In Liberia, where according to the WHO "the capacity to cope with the increasing caseload remains dramatically low," an even higher proportion of total cases (63%) have emerged in recent weeks, suggesting that the death toll there will continue to rise sharply.
- Last week, the WHO warned that Ebola, which is spread via the bodily fluids of a sickened person, could ultimately infect 20,000 people before it is brought under control. The virus, Frieden said, "is moving faster than anyone anticipated."
- Citation source: http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ebola-chart-terrifying-195400062.html
For more information, see Ebola
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September 5, 2014 - Education and Wages
Graphic source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/college-premium-better-pay-better-prospects/ |
According to NYT's 2/19/13's "College Premium: Better Pay, Better Prospects," C. Rampell reports, "...people with college diplomas are much more likely to get jobs, period, than people without the credential. Part of college graduates' income premium, then, comes from the fact that they are just more likely to be employed in a typical week. They are probably more likely to work the number of desired hours they wish to work, too, according to Gary Burtless, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.
You can see this in the unemployment numbers: The jobless rate for people with a bachelor's degree was 3.7 percent in January, versus 8.1 percent for those with no more than a high school diploma.
Census estimates of median annual earnings help capture the college income premium. In 2011, the median male college graduate earned 1.95 times as much as the median male whose highest educational attainment was a high school diploma. In 1991, that ratio was 1.76. For women, the ratio is up, but not by as much: It was 2.03 in 2011 versus 1.99 in 1991, and it dipped in the intervening years.
 "... earnings ratios over the last two decades: College can bring a lot of debt, yes. But these figures serve as a reminder that college also brings huge returns relative to how you might otherwise invest your tuition money."
Citation Source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/02/19/college-premium-better-pay-better-prospects/
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September 4, 2014 - Education and Employment Trends
Graphic source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/life-is-o-k-if-you-went-to-college/
According to C. Rampell's "Life Is O.K., if You Went to College"
- "Despite all the questions about whether college is worth it or not, college graduates have gotten through the recession and lackluster recovery with remarkable resilience.
- The unemployment rate for college graduates in April was a mere 3.9 percent, compared to 7.5 percent for everyone else. And among all segments of workers sorted by educational attainment, college graduates are the only group that has more people employed today than when the recession started."
- >Citation source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/life-is-o-k-if-you-went-to-college/
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September 3, 2014 - Education and Employment Share
Graphic source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/life-is-o-k-if-you-went-to-college/
According to C. Rampell's "Life Is O.K., if You Went to College"
- "The number of college-educated workers with jobs has risen by 9.1 percent since the beginning of the recession. Those with a high school diploma and no further education are the near mirror image, with employment down 9 percent on net. Workers without even a high school diploma have seen their employment levels fall 14.1 percent.
- Finally, for those with some college but no bachelor's degree, employment fell during the recession and is now back to exactly where it began: There were 34,992,000 workers with some college employed in December 2007, and there are 34,992,000 in the same boat today.
- In other words, college-educated workers have gobbled up all of the net job gains. In fact there are now more employed college graduates than there are employed high school graduates and high school dropouts put together.
- It's worth noting, too, that even young college graduates are finding jobs, if you look at the most recent cut of data on this subgroup (which is from 2011)."
- Citation source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/life-is-o-k-if-you-went-to-college/
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September 2, 2014 - Unemployment, by Educational Attainment
Graphic source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/life-is-o-k-if-you-went-to-college/ |
According to C. Rampell's "Life Is O.K., if You Went to College"
- "...in 2011, the unemployment rate for people in their 20s with college degrees or more education was 5.7 percent (for those whose highest credential was no more than a bachelor's, the number was 5.8 percent). For those with only a high school diploma or G.E.D., it was more than twice as high, at 16.2 percent.
- There is ample evidence that employers are hiring college-educated workers to perform jobs that don't actually require college-level skills, positions like receptionists, file clerks, waitresses and car rental agents. This form of underemployment might be one reason why we see so much growth in employment among college graduates despite the fact that the bulk of the jobs created in the last few years have been low-wage and low-skilled.
- Clearly positions in retail and food services are not the best use of the hard-earned (and expensive!) skills of college-educated workers. But at least those graduates are finding work and income of some kind, unlike their less-educated peers. And as the economy improves, college graduates will be better situated to find promotions to jobs that do use their more advanced skills and that pay better wages.
- Citation source: http://economix.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/05/03/life-is-o-k-if-you-went-to-college/
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August 29, 2014 - The Value of Education
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Here is how the Columbus Monument looks like. I had to include a picture because it was simply gorgeous, at 197 feet high!
