What is “traditional” higher education, and does it adequately set young adults up for career success?

These are the questions that Dr. Radhika Seshan, Associate Vice President of Career Relations and Strategic Partnerships at San Diego State University, discusses in the latest episode of our MindMaxing Podcast series, "Adolescence to Adulthood."

Dr. Seshan notes that today, higher education has an employer-oriented mindset. Parents wonder whether paying for their child's degree is worth it; Dr. Seshan observes that "the focus on return on investment has really sharpened the lens for career preparedness." 

She cautions that as currently designed, higher education only benefits those who are privileged to have a support system. Today, approximately 50% of college students also work 20 or more hours per week. Financial reasons cause many students to discontinue their education, which can have lasting effects.

Dr. Seshan shares, "If you're not in the [higher education] pipeline because you can't afford to be or you find yourself in personal circumstances where you can't be, not only are you at a higher risk of not continuing, but that also continues as a disadvantage throughout your career. You enter late; you learn less, you start at a lower level. . . you don't always have the resilience to reinvent your career."