Who Needs College Anymore?

A blueprint for a world in which a college degree is not the only way to unlock professional success.

Is a college degree still the quickest path to a good-paying job?

That is the question at the heart of this book. Headlines are dominated by the cost and ROI of a 4-year degree, and more families are asking themselves: Is college worth it?

For many Americans, confused and stressed by mixed messages, the answer is increasingly: No.

But, if college isn’t the guaranteed route to success it once was, what comes next?

Who Needs College Anymore? describes the workarounds that could well become the “new normal” for how America prepares for work.

From white-collar apprenticeships and micro-credential programs at local community colleges to online bootcamps, self-instruction using YouTube, and more—students are forging alternative paths to GREAT high-paying jobs.

A research-driven approach to alternate routes for equipping students with the skills necessary to thrive in our rapidly changing economy.

“A captivating read for anyone interested in how our education system can better prepare young people for the workplace and fulfilling careers.”

—Eugene Scalia, former US Secretary of Labor

“This book brings human-centered design alive to help families, colleges, high schools, and employers navigate the future.”

—Rufus Glasper, president and CEO, League for Innovation in the Community College, and chancellor emeritus, Maricopa Community College District

“Kathleen deLaski explains a rapidly evolving ecosystem for education and work with clearsighted analysis, supporting data, and compelling stories. . . . A must for educators, policymakers, and employers.”

—Paul LeBlanc, former president, Southern New Hampshire University

Kathleen deLaski is an education and workforce designer, as well as a futurist.

She founded the Education Design Lab in 2013 to help colleges begin the journey to reimagine higher education toward the future of work. Her non-profit has helped 1200 colleges, orgs and economic regions design shorter, more affordable pathways for learners to achieve their economic goals.

Kathleen spent twenty years as a TV and then a digital journalist, including time as ABC News White House correspondent. Followed by a political appointment as the first female Pentagon spokesperson.

Spark a conversation with these book discussion guides

As I wrote this book, I was amazed at how just sharing the title, Who Needs College Anymore?, sparked a discussion wherever I went. There are so many perspectives, stories, victories, failures, worries, suggestions, and debates. I decided it might be helpful to recommend discussion guides for some of the key stakeholders, as well as families, who want to extend the conversation into their communities as we try to clarify the role of college or redefine it.