The Miseducation of the College Student
|
Posted By: Ladel Lewis on August 02, 2017 The Miseducation of the College Student "Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today" - Malcom X That quote used to resound over the loud speaker after the morning announcements during my high school years. Wise words. Many interpreted that as "Going to college and getting a degree will unlock endless opportunities and afford me a life that my Baby Boomer parents only dreamed of." Being a first generation college graduate was about to put me on the fast track to success. But as I received those degrees, it became apparent that I was foreign to the "education" Brother Malcom spoke about. Looking at student loan debt pile up and job rejection letters being dealt to me like a bad hand of cards, I noticed that tomorrow didn't belong to me. Was my passport incomplete? Or was it invalid? Revoked even? Being young, educated and black, I was supposed to be able to write my own ticket. Maybe my pen has invisible ink. Let me explain. The more I did as my late grandmother used to say and "Kept on living," the more I noticed the disconnect. It wasn't the lack of a STEM major or a low GPA, but it was a lack of social capital. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, over 80% of jobs are found through social capital. Yes, knowing the right people in the right places to help you out. You know, not the hand out but that firm hand up that many of our white and third and fourth generation college graduates enjoy. In the age of the "pull yourself up by your bootstraps" mentality, my blue collar parents were not privy to these types of connections. Nor did they fully understand the importance of them. They came along on the tail end of the civil rights era when many agencies and corporations were hiring them directly off the street with minimum education, sustainable wages and generous pensions. To their dismay, their offspring, highly educated Generation X'ers and Millennials , must tap into these financial reserves in order to live. What can we do to level this playing field and get in the game? How can those with little to no social connects tap into the network of possibility? Here are some of my recommendations: 1) Acknowledge you can not do it alone. The only person that claimed to be a self made man was Mr. Johnathan Hart (from the 80's television series Hart to Hart). If you're not him, you need people along this journey. 2) As you select a college to attend, check out their alumni network and the department you may want to study in. Do they have an active alumni group? But most importantly, when people graduate with a degree from this department, what do they do and where do they go? More often than not, you will end up in a similar occupation 3) Join social clubs and volunteer. College as well as your post collegiate career is about the connections you make. The person you meet In the "you fill in the blank club" or "volunteering" may be very instrumental in introducing and referring you to an opportunity than you trying to "man the ship" yourself. Somehow your resume may make it to the top of the pile. Moreover, volunteering (yeah, free services) puts you in the presence of high profile people that you ordinarily wouldn't be around or meet on the job. You may not share occupations, but you all meet because of shared similar passions. 4) Be approachable. Smile. No matter how many organizations you join, no one wants to approach a sour puss. Remember, "relationships reap rewards." 5) Take webinars/workshops on relationship building such as my free teleconference/webinar on Conversations Tactics. These webinars will definitely equip you with the tools to compliment your educational passport and to come out a WINNER. A native of Flint, Michigan, Dr. Ladel Lewis is a Senior Research Strategist and an Engagement Guru in the Washington DC Metropolitan area. You may reach her at ladel_lewis@yahoo.com If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
 |
Ladel Lewis
Research Associate, Western Michigan University Western Michigan Univ class of 2012 Member Since October 2006 |
Comments
More From This Author
Latest Blogs
 |
WOMEN OF GOD in UNITY Working Together5 Anointed Christian Women talking about things happening in our communities Throughout the nation and should be change with our help daily. And there will be 2 recording gospel Artist at this event p ...more
Min Sammy Jackson • 61 Views • March 9th, 2026 |
 |
WOMEN OF GOD in UNITY Working Together5 Anointed Christian Women talking about things happening in our communities Throughout the nation and should be change with our help daily. And there will be 2 recording gospel Artist at this event p ...more
Min Sammy Jackson • 51 Views • March 9th, 2026 |
 |
Behind the Wheel of the Hot 2026 Kia Sportage ReviewCompact SUVs remain competitive, and Kia’s best-selling model for 2026, the Sportage, gets a major mid-cycle update to stay ahead. During a week with the new Sportage Hybrid SX-Prestige AWD, I tested ...more
Randi Payton • 168 Views • March 5th, 2026 |
 |
Season OpenerOpen door looks inviting; You see noone near the vehicle yet the door has been wide open for an unusual amount of time!
🤔💭“maybe I should help them out or should I just stick to th ...more
How May I Help You NC • 174 Views • March 4th, 2026 |
 |
Motivational Artist MARCUS PARKER Creates Rize Mode A AI Powered Artist@MARCUSPARKER #MARCUSPARKER
@RIZEMODE #RIZEMODE
@WISEDIVAS #WISEDIVAS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Underground Motivator MARCUS PARKER Launches AI Artists and New Guide to Help Others Build Their Own ...more
LaMarr Blackmon • 212 Views • March 2nd, 2026 |
Popular Blogs
 |
Divorce in America in 2009 – What’s love got to do, got to do with it?
Join Brother Marcus and the cast and the crew of the Brother Marcus Show live this Sunday evening on February 1, 2009 @ 8:00 p.m. for another hot topic in our community! “Divorce in America in 2009 ...more
Brother Marcus! • 70,869,081 Views • January 27th, 2009 |
 |
VISINE ALERT!!!Seemingly innocent medication such as Visine eyedrops are used by people to concoct a mixture with similar effects as a date-rape drug.
When mixed with alcohol and taken orally, the eyedrops can l ...more
Siebra Muhammad • 118,531 Views • May 23rd, 2009 |
 |
"Chain Hang Low" check out the real meaning of the Lyrics!Recently there is a new artist out of Saint Louis that goes by the name JIBBS. Jibbs debut single "Chain hang low" has a history that most people are not aware of. The particular nursery rhyme that th ...more
Tyhesha Judge-Fogle • 75,961 Views • November 9th, 2006 |
 |
HBCU Marketplace Gifts: Divine 9 Premium Fraternity / Sorority Playing CardsVendor: Charles Jones
Item Price: $20.00
Price Includes Shipping: Yes - Shipping Included
Item Description:
Pantheon Series - Divine 9 - Premium Playing Cards (choose Gold Series or Silve ...more
How May I Help You NC • 61,781 Views • December 2nd, 2018 |
