Giving Compass' Take:

• John Swallow explains how liberal arts colleges can use nudges to increase the number of students that find jobs after college. 

• What nudges and support are most effective? How can disadvantaged students be helped? 

• Learn about better ways to align college training with workforce needs.

Like many places in the United States, southeast Wisconsin doesn’t have enough trained individuals to fill open jobs.

That’s why this fall, in addition to the liberal arts, entering students at Carthage College will receive a career development program mandated for all students, beginning with the incoming class, for their full four years. Accelerated by a recent $15 million gift to the college, this program, called Aspire, will help students better prepare for life after college, including through workplace learning, career preparation, leadership and organizational skills.

After careful study, we have drawn a conclusion that other colleges might like to explore: A mandatory approach toward career education is in the best interest of our students. Career development programs aren’t anything new. The problem is that college students aren’t taking advantage of the opportunities. That’s why we decided to create a student program that isn’t optional.

Read the full article about pushing students to find careers by John Swallow at The Hechinger Report.