2021-4747-Infographic #1-Americans Need

To explore more content and find resources to help you with your career, visit wosu.org/americangraduate.

For more stories of young people navigating their options to identify careers they love, listen to RIVET. This documentary-style podcast shares the experiences of 16- to 26-year-olds finding fulfillment along untraditional career paths. Visit wosu.org/rivet, on the WOSU mobile app or wherever else you listen.

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The Career Path Less Taken is a half-hour documentary exploring career-tech education programs (CTE) across the state of Ohio. These programs demonstrate the various pathways to skilled jobs, in Ohio and at large, which do not require a four-year college degree.

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SUCCESS AT LAST

Per Scholas is an organization with a mission: to expand technical skills training and improve access to this kind of specialized education. Their goal is to create a technology workforce “as diverse as the customers it serves.” Jammes Luckett is a graduate of the program who, as an IT instructor with the organization, trains others endeavoring to break into the tech field.

PRIDE IN THE JOB

As a bouncer and a DJ, Brian Sabo made good money but was missing something critical: pride in his work. After enrolling in Tolles RAMTEC’s Industrial Maintenance Certification Training, he found placement with a great company. Now, Brian relishes in the friendly vibe of his new employer and the freedom to spend more time with his family and young nephew in his off-hours.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Although Ashleigh Rea graduated with a four-year degree in psychology, she struggled to find a fulfilling job that would pay off her loans. After working as a nanny and in food service, she enrolled in Columbus State’s Surgical Technology program. She found work as a surgical technologist, a job she loves that provides financial security as well as ample time with her loved ones and her dog.

As documented by WOSU Public Media, many people are taking untraditional paths and finding success in careers that better align with their own priorities and America’s evolving needs. Their journeys, which did not rely on a 4-year college degree, serve as examples of what many Americans are capable of as they adapt to a changing world and seek new jobs.

BREAKING THE MOLD

[Sources: NBC News, Pew Research]

A PROBLEM WORTH SOLVING

The COVID-19 pandemic accounts for the largest year-long decline in labor force participation since 1948.

A record-breaking 12-month decline

More than 10 million Americans are still out of work with millions more having stopped their job search altogether.

More than 10 million Americans are out of work

A majority of unemployed Americans surveyed have seriously considered changing their field or occupation, according to Pew Research.

66% of unemployed Americans are considering new careers

The January 2021 employment report showed that 5 million people left the workforce that month.

5 million Americans left the workforce since January 2021

Employment challenges have surged in the wake of COVID-19, but new opportunities exist too. Whether you are trying to break into the workforce for the first time or are saying goodbye to a long-held job, the path to a dream career may not be as out of reach as you think. While thoughts of debt and endless years of schooling may creep in, a fulfilling career may not even require a four-year college degree. WOSU Public Media is collaborating with educational institutions, organizations, and businesses across Central Ohio to assess the job markets of today and tomorrow and tell the stories of the individuals finding success – and a sense of purpose – along untraditional paths.

In 2021… 10 years and 1 pandemic later

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) launched the American Graduate initiative to address the nation’s lagging high school graduation rate. Community partnerships with public media stations across the country, including WOSU Public Media in Columbus, helped contribute to a substantial increase in the national high school graduation rate.

In 2011...

Americans need new career paths. These stories can help pave the way.

Following an untraditional journey to success in today’s economy can be both necessary and rewarding.

Story from

Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA TODAY Networkwere not involved in the creation of this content

To explore more content and find resources to help you with your career, visit wosu.org/classroom/american-graduate.

Click here to watch

LISTEN

WATCH

LEARN MORE

SUCCESS AT LAST

Per Scholas is an organization with a mission: to expand technical skills training and improve access to this kind of specialized education. Their goal is to create a technology workforce “as diverse as the customers it serves.” Jammes Luckett is one dedicated team member who found her dream job at Per Scholas as an IT instructor.

PRIDE IN THE JOB

As a bouncer and a DJ, Brian Sabo made good money but was missing something critical: pride in his work. After enrolling in Tolles RAMTEC’s Industrial Maintenance Certification Training, he found placement with a great company. Now, Brian relishes in the friendly vibe of his new employer and the freedom to spend more time with his family and young nephew in his off-hours.

WORK-LIFE BALANCE

Although Ashleigh Rea graduated with a four-year degree in psychology, she struggled to find a fulfilling job that would pay off her loans. After working as a nanny and in food service, she enrolled in Columbus State’s Sterile Processing Certificate Program. She found work as a sterile processing technologist, a job she loves that provides financial security as well as ample time with her loved ones and her dog.

As documented by WOSU Public Media, many people are taking untraditional paths and finding success in careers that better align with their own priorities and America’s evolving needs. Their journeys, which did not rely on a 4-year college degree, serve as examples of what many Americans are capable of as they adapt to a changing world and seek new jobs.

BREAKING THE MOLD

[Sources: NBC News, Pew Research]

A PROBLEM WORTH SOLVING

The COVID-19 pandemic accounts for the largest year-long decline in labor force participation since 1948.

A record-breaking 12-month decline

More than 10 million Americans are still out of work with millions more having stopped their job search altogether.

More than 10 million Americans are out of work

A majority of unemployed Americans surveyed have seriously considered changing their field or occupation, according to Pew Research.

66% of unemployed Americans are considering new careers

The January 2021 employment report showed that 5 million people left the work force that month.

5 million Americans left the work force since January 2021

Employment challenges have surged in the wake of COVID-19, but new opportunities exist too. Whether you are entering the workforce for the first time or after losing a job, the avenue to a fulfilling career may not be what you expect. Or may not require a four-year college degree at all. WOSU Public Media is collaborating with educational institutions, organizations and businesses across Central Ohio to assess the job markets of today and tomorrow and tell the stories of the individuals finding success – and a sense of purpose – along untraditional paths.

In 2021…

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) launched the American Graduate initiative to address the nation’s high school dropout rate. Community partnerships with public media stations across the country, including WOSU Public Media, helped contribute to a substantial increase in the national high school graduation rate.

In 2011...

Americans need new career paths. These stories can help pave the way.

Following an untraditional journey to success in today’s economy can be both necessary and rewarding.

Story from

Members of the editorial and news staff of the USA TODAY Networkwere not involved in the creation of this content

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