Thought Example #3
Has this thought entered your mind?
“I'm going to use my GI Bill to gain a credential for a specific role in the industry I’d like to enter after graduation.”
Hover on the card to view info.
Background
Alex is single, 20 years old and an E-4 in the Air Force.
He’s anxious to go back home after several combat deployments and wants to be close to family.
Wants to use his time at school networking in order to land a better paying gig right out of college.
Alex’s internal thinking
Views college as an investment in himself.
Realizes the importance of specialization and making yourself valuable to potential employers.
Is hyper-focused on researching the necessary credentials for obtaining the specific job he’s targeting post graduation.
Likely outcome
Instead of jumping into the local university with both feet, Alex decides to have dual-enrollment at a local community college that offers specific classes he’s looking for.
Alex builds a flexible schedule of night classes so he can focus on interning and building professional relationships.
Will likely choose a degree that directly improves the probability of being hired to a specific position or company (not just a general speciality).
Why this mindset is important
Looking at higher education as a transactional investment keeps Alex from diverting too much emotional energy and promotes a healthy work/life balance.
Framing college as a tool to enable long-term goals encourages students to constantly be seeking ways to make themselves more valuable on the job market.