College is right for some students, but a degree isn’t always required in order to have a successful career, Sean McCutcheon, career navigator for the Knox Educational Service Center, recently told 300 educators.
“All Knox County seniors need to know their options,” McCutcheon said at the 18th annual Educators Breakfast presented by the Knox County Chamber of Commerce, according to a news release. “They need to know there are opportunities for jobs right out of high school, technical school training, two-year degrees in many subject areas, and everything in between.”
The event was held at Mount Vernon Nazarene University.
It's not as if students with high school diplomas can't find jobs, McCutcheon said. Employers in Knox and nearby counties are constantly on the lookout for qualified high school graduates, he said..
Dr. Timm Mackley, superintendent of the Knox ESC, agreed with McCutcheon’s advice.
“Students who are looking for a place to start a career can find opportunities right here in their hometown, and employers who are looking for qualified, reliable employees can depend on graduates of our local high schools,” Mackley said.
He called McCutcheon “a wonderful asset for our community.”
McCutcheon told the story of his own career journey. McCutcheon said his focus was on going to college, not on what he wanted to be. He changed his college major several times. At the University of Toledo, he majored in music.
A music professor approached him as he played.
“He said to me, ‘What are you going to do with your life?’" McCutcheon said. "I couldn’t answer. I didn’t know.”
“A four-year college degree is the right choice for many, but I want everyone to embrace the fact that it is not the only option for graduates,” he said. “We also need to educate students about college loans and debt. I have talked to students who did not realize they would have to repay those loans.”
