Getting Smart Podcast Who needs college anymore? | Kathleen DeLaski
Apr 23, 2025
Kathleen DeLaski, author of 'Who Needs College Anymore?', dives into the shifting landscape of higher education. She challenges the necessity of a traditional college degree, advocating for alternatives like apprenticeships and dual enrollment. DeLaski highlights the impact of the Great Recession and AI on educational values and job readiness. The conversation explores how practical experience is becoming the key to career advancement, suggesting that four-year degrees may not be the only path to success in today's world.
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Great Recession Changed College Perception
- The Great Recession shattered the shine of college for many due to unemployment despite debt burden.
- This economic shock triggered America's rapid disenchantment with the traditional higher education model.
Is College for All Dead?
- The college for all mantra is dying as fewer prepared students choose traditional college paths.
- Schools struggle to offer attractive alternatives to trade schools for professional pathways.
Who Needs College Anyway?
- Whether one needs college depends on career goals, financial resources, and connections.
- Wealthier whites increasingly opt out, while immigrants and low-income people of color still rely on college's legitimacy and network.
