Learn to Earn

The Issue: The high cost of higher education often leads students to take on significant debt without any guarantee of a well-paying job after graduation. Students are investing in education, but not seeing the return on investment they need to build successful careers and futures.

The Solution: We need to ensure that college degrees actually lead to higher paying jobs, so that students can earn back their investment and thrive in their chosen fields. California Community Colleges can achieve this by:

Strengthening Career Education: We need to invest in high-quality career education programs that are aligned with industry needs, so that students are prepared to enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge employers demand. This includes expanding internships and apprenticeships, and working with employers to develop curriculum that directly addresses their hiring needs.

Improving Transfer Pathways: Many students start at community colleges before transferring to four-year universities, but too often the credits they earn don’t transfer smoothly or efficiently. We need to streamline transfer pathways and ensure that students don’t waste time or money retaking courses they’ve already completed.

Making Higher Education Accessible: We need to ensure that all students have access to affordable higher education, regardless of their background or financial circumstances. This means investing in financial aid programs, expanding scholarships, and supporting programs that help students overcome barriers to success, such as childcare and transportation.

By implementing these solutions, we can ensure that California Community Colleges are preparing students for the high-paying jobs of the future, and helping them build successful careers and lives. With a focus on Learn to Earn, we can ensure that higher education is truly an investment in the future.