What do we really mean when we say college isn’t for everyone? | Alex Bernadotte | TEDxBYU

Summary

In this inspiring talk, Alex Bernadotte, founder of Beyond 12, discusses the value of a college education, especially for underprivileged students. Despite personal struggles and the flawed higher education system, Bernadotte emphasizes the importance of college as a pathway out of poverty and a means to social and economic mobility. He calls for fixing the education system to make college accessible, inclusive, and relevant, advocating for informed choices rather than system-induced dropouts.

Takeaways

• 🎓 The speaker, Alex Bernadotte, emphasizes the importance of a college education for social and economic mobility, particularly for under-resourced communities.
• 📈 Statistics from the Census Bureau show that college graduates earn significantly more over their lifetime compared to those with only a high school diploma.
• 💼 College education is often debated as a necessity, especially among those who have benefited from it, yet question its value for others.
• 🚀 Famous college dropouts like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg are exceptions, not the rule, and their success is often attributed to the networks and resources they had access to.
• 🏠 The speaker's personal story illustrates the struggle and eventual triumph of overcoming academic and financial challenges to graduate from college.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 The impact of a college degree extends beyond the individual, influencing family and community dynamics and setting a precedent for future generations.
• 🔑 The speaker argues that college is not just about the degree but also about the skills and worldview it provides, such as critical thinking and social justice activism.
• 📉 Despite the benefits, current statistics show a significant gap in college graduation rates between high and low-income students, highlighting systemic issues.
• 💡 The speaker calls for a reform in higher education to make it more accessible, inclusive, affordable, and relevant to the workforce's needs.
• 🤔 There is a public disconnect between the perceived value of college education for others' children versus their own, indicating a need for a more nuanced conversation.
• 🛠️ The speaker suggests embracing new models of higher education that bridge the gap between academia and career, ensuring they are rigorous and provide necessary skills.

Q & A

Who is Alex Bernadotte and what is her role in the education sector?

Alex Bernadotte is the founder and CEO of Beyond 12, an organization dedicated to helping students graduate from college.

What percentage of people in the room raised their hand when asked about college enrollment or having a college degree?

About 95 to 98% of the people in the room raised their hand.

What are some of the benefits of having a college degree according to the Census Bureau?

Having a college degree can lead to earning 62% more than those with just a high school diploma, better health, longer life expectancy, lower unemployment rates, and increased personal and professional mobility.

Why does Alex Bernadotte question the argument that college isn't for everyone?

Alex Bernadotte questions this argument because it often comes from people who have benefited from a college degree and it tends to be directed at students from under-resourced communities.

What is the significance of Ivy League institutions in the context of famous college dropouts like Bill Gates and Mark Zuckerberg?

Ivy League institutions are significant because they provide powerful networks, courses, and safety nets that can be critical to the future success of those who drop out, even if they do not complete their degree.

What challenges did Alex Bernadotte face during her freshman year of college?

Alex struggled with academic, financial, social, and emotional aspects of college life, leading to academic probation and a leave of absence.

How did Alex Bernadotte's college education impact her family?

Her college education changed the trajectory of her entire family, as she was the first to go to college and paved the way for her younger sister, cousins, and others in her community.

What statistics does Alex Bernadotte highlight regarding college graduation rates for under-resourced communities?

Only 9% of students from the lowest income quartile can expect to earn a bachelor's degree by their mid-20s, compared to 77% of their higher-income peers.

What are some of the issues Alex Bernadotte identifies with the current higher education system?

The issues include low graduation rates, especially for under-resourced students, the rising cost of higher education, and a lack of alignment between the skills taught in college and those needed in the workforce.

What solutions does Alex Bernadotte propose to improve the higher education system?

She suggests fixing the disconnect between K-12, higher education, and workforce systems, addressing college dropout rates with proactive student support services, reforming student aid programs, and embracing new models of higher education that create a tighter pipeline between college and career.

What is the main argument Alex Bernadotte makes about the necessity of college education?

Alex argues that while college may not be for everyone, the opportunity to attend college should be available to all, as it is a proven path out of poverty and an essential tool for social mobility.