This slide deck outlines three forces that make the case for attending college: 1) the federal college completion agenda, 2) workforce needs, and 3) individual economic security.

1. Three Reasons to
Attend College
Vickie Sax

2. Nationally, there is a movement to
increase the number of high school
students who attend some form of
post-secondary education.
This movement is being driven by
three major factors.

3. 1. President Obama’s
American Graduation Initiative
Goal:
• 5 million additional college
graduates by the year 2020,
above and beyond our
current graduation rate
• Translates to an extra
500,000 college graduates
each year, from 2010 to
2020
“Now is the time to build a firmer,
stronger foundation for growth
that will not only withstand
future economic storms, but one
that helps us thrive and compete
in a global economy. It’s time to
reform our community colleges
so that they provide Americans of
all ages a chance to learn the
skills and knowledge necessary to
compete for the jobs of the
future.”
President Barack Obama,
July 14, 2009

4. 2. Workforce Needs
• By the year 2018 …
– 62% (103 of 162 million) of jobs in the United States
will require a post-secondary education
– More than ever before
– 22 million more Associates, Bachelors, and Graduate
degrees are required to fill this need
– Highest proportion of such jobs will be needed in the
northeast
– NY ranks 18th in the nation; 63% of jobs in NY will
require a post-secondary education
Georgetown Univ. Center on Education and the Workforce,
June, 2010; http://cew.georgetown.edu/jobs2018/

6. Jobs That Will Require A Post-
Secondary Education
Types of Jobs That Will Require a Post-
Secondary Education
Projected Number of Jobs
sales and office support 28 million
managerial and professional office 15 million
food and personal services 12 million
manufacturing, trade, construction 12 million
community services and arts 10 million
education 10 million
science, technology, engineering, math 8 million
healthcare 8 million

7. 3. Individual Economic Security
• On average, individuals with a post-secondary
education earn more and have lower rates of
unemployment
• U.S. Census Bureau, 2002
• U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2011
• National Center on Education Statistics, 2011