1. Be Smart About Education Presented by: Sandy Duckett, We Are Hope, Inc. CEO The intellectual property, design and copyright of the materials presented is held by We Are Hope, Inc., and may not be duplicated without the prior consent of the proprietor.

2.  Education is the cornerstone to building your personal success story  Six out of ten Jobs required either two year or four year degree (Carnevale & Esrochers: 2003 U.Sl Department of Labor, 2004b) What Do We Know?

3.  College enrollment has exploded  In the 1950’s only 20% of high school graduates went onto college  Today, over 70% attend college  Competition has increased among students as well as College Institutions.  Educational options and choices have also increased. What Has Changed

4.  Grads face long searches to find long-term, full time jobs. Slow economic recovery has made finding a job right out of college a difficult task ( Green Bay Press Gazette, Jan. 19 2002). Trends

5. Bloomberg Businessweek 2012 College Tuition’s 1,120 Percent Increase

6. Other Trends  Nearly 70% of Graduating Seniors have student debt (The Institute for College Access 2014)  Average Student Debt is over $28,000 and in many cases much higher (College Access and Success 2014 Quick Facts)  “Student Debt Traps Older Borrowers,” 6.9 million seniors shoulder $155 billion of student debt up from 3 million borrowers a decade ago at $42 Billion in student loans (AARP 12/2014 )

7.  Before the recession, 17.9% of young people between the ages of 18 and 31 or 41.2 million people lived at home.  Today 36% of young adults aged 18 to 31 live with their parents ( Dettling, Hsu Federal Reserve Board, 10/25/2014).  Student Debt has now surpassed Credit Card Debt. Other Trends

8.  Better understanding of the education and skills needed for the career path you choose will improve your success.  Evaluate the career and position opportunities in the area in which you would like to live.  Education is a significant investment that can provide great returns. But like any investment, be shrewd, smart, and savvy in your choices. How to Make Decisions About Post Secondary Education?

9.  Self Assessments  This can all be done at the or local Ability Profiler SkillsExplorer.Wisconsin.gov CareerCruising.com CareerLocker: available at Wiscareers.wisc.edu/default.asp Strength Finder is a great resource to evaluate your unique qualities (minimal cost) How to Get Started?

10. Scholarships: Scholarship Inc. Community Foundations Service Clubs Professional Organization of your degree of interest The College you attend How to Pay for College

11.  Workforce Investment Act Funding for careers in high demand through the Job Centers (careers in demand handout) Up to $5000.00 may be available for education & training  Veterans Administration  Serving in the National Guard or Armed Services More Ways to Pay for College

12.  Earn college credits while in high school through the Advance Placement Courses (AP) courses.  Technical Colleges can also be a great option.  In most cases today, the technical fields are in great demand.  Gain experience and networking connections through internships and work experience. Other Strategies on How to Pay for College

13.  Employers check credit scores, driving records, drug testing, and criminal background checks.  A degree does not guarantee employment. What Employers are Looking For in New Recruits

14.  There are many ways to achieve success. Do your research and give yourself options! Education is important but choose carefully.  A college degree is not the only path to achieve success.  College is still important.  Work experience can lead to education! Success

15.  The decisions you make today can affect your future. Seek advice and experience work and don’t be afraid of failure.  Life is unpredictable and the best type of education is through our experiences.  The challenges we endure allow us to grow and build character. Final Thoughts

16. For More Information Contact WeAreHopeInc.org 920-743-7273