AN OVERVIEW OF JEFF SELINGO'S THERE IS LIFE AFTER COLLEGE AND IMPLICATIONS FOR BUSINESS FACULTY

Former Chronicle of Higher Education editor Jeff Selingo has struck a nerve with parents, students, and higher education professionals in his book There is Life After College (2016). The book analyzes student academic and... [ view full abstract ]

Former Chronicle of Higher Education editor Jeff Selingo has struck a nerve with parents, students, and higher education professionals in his book There is Life After College (2016). The book analyzes student academic and pre-professional attributes while in college and categorizes three types of post-college 20-somethings: Sprinters, Wanderers, and Stragglers. This presentation will offer a short summary of the book’s main points and generate discussion about ways that Business Schools can inspire more Sprinter-like behaviors and reduce the population of Stragglers.

The book draws from Selingo’s own research in traveling with and interviewing many college students and young professionals. It also ties back to the existing body of knowledge and current state of research in higher education. Topics include behaviors that maximize future earnings, the best elective courses to take, three good reasons to take a gap year, why employers are redirecting their hiring focus toward interns, the effect of college debt on entrepreneurship, the effect urban locations have on professional success, entrepreneurial models other than college for 18-22 year olds, and where successful job leads are most likely to come from.

All business faculty need to know the basics behind Selingo’s ideas in order to advise students, address parent concerns, and design programming to coach students to become confident Sprinters rather than letting them wander aimlessly or straggle helplessly. This presentation will inform participants and generate ideas to improve success on each campus.