How To Align Your College Goals With The Fastest-Growing Careers
Dr. Aviva Legatt, PCC
?? Is Your Organization Ready for 2030? Is Your Family? I Help You Upskill Both | Talent & College Strategy | AI Coach | Forbes Contributor | UPenn Faculty
For decades, the path to success seemed clear: get into a great university, earn a degree, and step into a stable career. But today, with agentic AI reshaping industries at an unprecedented pace, this traditional roadmap is no longer a guarantee—it’s an open-ended question.
As I explore in my Forbes article, the 2025 LinkedIn Jobs on the Rise report reveals a stark reality: many of the fastest-growing careers aren’t tied to traditional degree paths. Fields like AI, cybersecurity, and digital content creation are evolving so rapidly that by the time students graduate, many of the skills they learned in their first year may already be outdated.
?? So, what does this mean for students preparing for college and beyond?
The Growing Gap Between College and Careers
?? Higher education is struggling to keep pace with workforce demands. According to the World Economic Forum, 50% of employees will need reskilling by 2025, yet most degree programs still take four to six years to complete. Meanwhile, AI-driven hiring models are placing greater emphasis on skills, adaptability, and real-world experience over credentials alone.
???? Take cybersecurity, for example—one of LinkedIn’s fastest-growing career fields. While universities are adding degree programs, students can often gain faster, more targeted training through specialized bootcamps and certifications. The same applies to data science, AI, and digital marketing, where short-term programs can offer direct pathways into high-paying jobs.
?? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics also projects that creative roles like graphic design, content creation, and digital storytelling will grow by 8% by 2030, fueled by demand for video production, social media content, and brand storytelling. These fields prioritize practical skills over degrees, making them accessible to students who actively pursue hands-on learning opportunities.
Why College Still Matters—But Might Not Be Enough
?? Let’s be clear: College isn’t disappearing. It still provides intellectual development, mentorship, and access to career opportunities that AI can’t replace. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, those with a bachelor’s degree still earn, on average, $24,000 more per year than those without one.
??? And some universities are adapting. Schools like MIT’s Schwarzman College of Computing, Harvard Business School, and Carnegie Mellon are embedding AI into their core curriculum, ensuring students graduate with future-ready skills.
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?? But here’s the challenge: Many institutions are still lagging behind. Families can’t assume that a degree alone will prepare students for an AI-driven workforce.
How Families Can Prepare for the Future of Work
? Seek out schools offering stackable credentials. Universities like Georgia Tech and Purdue are leading the way with modular learning programs, allowing students to earn AI certifications alongside their degrees.
? Encourage internships, apprenticeships, and bootcamps. Real-world experience is now just as valuable as a GPA. Platforms like LinkedIn Learning, Google Career Certificates, and Coursera offer affordable, industry-aligned training.
? Prioritize skills that AI can’t replicate. While AI excels at automation, students who develop critical thinking, creativity, leadership, and adaptability will future-proof their careers.
The Future Is Hybrid
Higher education is evolving—fast. The best-prepared students won’t see college and skills-based learning as an either-or choice. Instead, they’ll take a hybrid approach: a strong academic foundation + modular learning + real-world experience.
?? For families navigating the college admissions process, the takeaway is clear: The future belongs to those who are adaptable, willing to learn continuously, and strategic about how they integrate AI into their skillset.
?? What do you think? How should students prepare for a world where AI is reshaping the job market? Drop your thoughts in the comments! ??
?? Read my full Forbes article here: https://www.forbes.com/sites/avivalegatt/2025/01/13/how-to-align-your-college-goals-with-the-fastest-growing-careers/
I help teens create a future that lights them up. Where they can do well, but also be well. They go from unsure to on fire.
1 个月For one, they should build a diverse skillset. They should think agile. They should be ready for everything to change. But, more importantly, they should not spend every last minute of their childhood fretting over their future. And parents shouldn't spend every last minute fearing the results. In other words: They should balance taking care of their future with taking care of their present. It's good to make moves. But, it's also good to drop the stress, look at our child, and tell them in all the ways how lucky we are to know them. No matter what.