They
have the right perspective
By JASON C. STEINLE Evergreen,
I'm writing regarding Anastasia Mercer's article "Perspective into the
working world."
The past three years I've interviewed over 350 quarterlifers
— people in their late teens, twenties, and early thirties — about how they've
made the transition from academics into the real world.
It is a transition that does not come easy as evidenced by the fact that:
- Sixty-five percent of college students plan to move home after graduating.
- Six out of 10 students entering college drop out.
- Drug and alcohol abuse is highest for teens and 20-year-olds.
- The average college graduate had more than eight jobs from the age of 22 to
the age of 32.
- Four-year college degrees are taking students five, six, and even seven years
to complete.
- Parents spend on average $38,000 on their children between the ages of 18 and
34 — considerably more than in the past.
One of the discoveries of my research is that students are not getting enough
experience of the profession and career that they devote 12 to 22 years
studying.
As a result, it's often not until they graduate from high school or college
that they first experience their career and truly discover if it's a good fit
or not.
This is a primary reason why we see the statistics above. Students, even in
elementary and middle school, will benefit from more experiential knowledge and
less academic knowledge.
(Jason C. Steinle is the author of "Upload
Experience: Quarterlife Solutions for Teens and Twentysomethings.")