When Considering Where to Attend College, Consider Where the Jobs Are...

Much of our collective anxiety about the college admissions process stems from the strong desire for our kids to obtain an education that helps them achieve their long-term goals (read: health, happiness, and financial independence). But as we say to every student we work with, no one college has a monopoly on the path to success. 

There is no question that the economy is changing. Traditional fields seem less desirable for many of our students and there is a push to make a difference and think big. 

Our students can find opportunities for disruption and innovation, even in mature fields. However, to achieve this, today’s high school students must be mindful of where this growth is occurring, both with respect to industry and location. 

A recent study published on Monday by the Brookings Institute found that industries seen as key to future growth are clustering in a narrowing set of places. The beneficiaries may be of little surprise to us: Seattle, San Diego, San Jose, Boston, and San Francisco. 

Regardless of whether your child wants to work in a lab, marketing, finance, or another field, there is something to be said for being in the right place at the right time. As you have discussions about the schools your child is interested in applying to, please keep an open mind and take into consideration location as it relates to what comes after college. Some colleges offer national name recognition and alumni networks, but schools like the University of Washington and Santa Clara University offer students a home-court advantage with opportunities to secure internships, during the school year, that can lead to the most sought after postgraduate employment opportunities. 

I think back to the stack of 100+ resumes Harvard and Yale law students sent for a summer internship at the US Attorney’s Office.  In contrast, for the spring internship, they only received one application: mine. Knowing when and where opportunities exist is crucial for gaining experiences that employers consider invaluable.   

Experience often overshadows name brands for many entry-level employment opportunities.  Let’s make sure your children have the experiences they need to thrive.  

To read more about the study, click here: https://www.yahoo.com/news/jobs-future-clustering-handful-u-050811664.html

Wishing your family happiness in 2020. We are committed to helping your children achieve their goals for college and beyond.