QUICK QUIZ
 
Introduction: For many people, it seems the best--and only--option after high school is to attend a four-year college or university. While certainly an excellent choice, some statistics show that a baccalaureate degree is not the answer for everyone. Take the "Quick Quiz" below and study the information on "Labor Force Chances" on thepreceding page. What you find may surprise you.
 
1. Typically, Nebraska high schools send ____% of their graduates to 4-year schools:
 
___20% ___40% ___60%
 
 
2. What percentage of students pursuing four-year degrees graduate within 10 years?
 
___30% ___50% ___70%
 
 
3. What percentage of the students who enroll at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln graduate?
 
___30% ___50% ___70%
 
 
4. Nationwide, approximately ___% of all full time equivalency students enrolled in technical or community colleges already have a baccalaureate degree:
 
___10% ___20% ___30%
__________________________________________________________________
 
Answers: 60%, 30%, 50%, 30%
 
Summary: What conclusions can you come up with given the information above and on the previous page? And consider: at Gretna High School, 75% - 80% of graduating seniors each year say that they will attend a four-year institution. Thus, for example, in a class of 100 students, if 80 plan to attend a four-year school, and 50% graduate, then 50 students will have their degree--but another 50 students will not. The question, then, is what is my career goal and what steps do I take to reach it? A four-year degree is but one option: there are other alternatives that lead to career success and satisfaction.
 
Consider:
"The real labor market need is for an educated work force, but not necessarily a college-trained workforce."
 
"The baccalaureate degree is not the only degree of excellence."
Source: Career Development Training Institute
 
"All students are career-bound."
Source: ACT Official