POPLARVILLE —
At quick glance, it is easy to see that the Mississippi economy will only need about 25 percent of its workforce at the bachelor’s level or higher. Most jobs still require only a high school degree, but many well paying jobs will require some sort of 2 year degree or a post high school type credential such as a certificate in welding, carpentry or plumbing.
Overall, the Mississippi economy will require about 57percent of it’s workforce to have some type of credential obtained after high school, but the graduation stats indicate that we are not on the path to meet this projection. The Georgetown report indicates this as well. A direct quote taken from the report concerning the US economy says it all, “By 2018, the postsecondary system will have produced 3 million fewer college graduates than demanded by the labor market.”
Georgetown’s analysis also provides great insight into earnings expectations as well. After all, it can be taken for granted that a large percentage of education seekers complete high school and college with the goal of obtaining a satisfying career.
Education level with estimated lifetime earnings:
Less than high school degree — $1,198,447
High school graduate — $1,767,025
Some college — $2,239,548
Associate’s degree — $2,254,765
Bachelor’s degree — $3,380,060
Master’s degree — $3,837,239
Professional degree — $4,650,588
Ph. D. — $4,029,948
After having digested all of this labor market information one might question what this has to do with locally elected school boards and local control (or lack thereof) of our schools. It appears that we are preparing students to be test takers and not shipbuilders, offshore petroleum technicians, respiratory technicians, etc, etc.
Every student should be given the opportunity to learn and prepare themselves for a bachelor’s degree; but students should not be deprived the opportunity to learn a craft or skill and go forth and earn that extra $500k to $1 million that could be gained by going to where the jobs are projected to be. Remember a large share of the jobs in Mississippi will be in areas that require a post high school credential or associate’s degree.
While we are busy testing our students and comparing their achievement scores to schools in foreign countries, we fail to recognize that the countries that we make comparison to only send about 33 percent of their students down the university path. The others that wish to do work in applied, hands-on careers, take the vocational route and are not counted in their scoring system.
The US tests most students which has lead to a decimation of the vocational education programs at many local high schools. Resources are placed in getting students prepared for scoring well on standardized tests and not for the actual job market. Until the rules are changed, it will be tough for an elected or appointed school board member to “right the ship.”
Business
More than school board needs to be changed: Part 2
- Business
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- Dual Enrollment Practical Nursing Program available at PRCC Some students possess the maturity level and academic wherewithal to begin studying toward a fruitful career path while still in high school. It is no secret that many earn most of the necessary credits towards a high school diploma by the completion of the junior year of school; thus, requiring the student to attend high school for part of the school day during their senior year. Many students have jobs or extracurricular school activities, such as band or athletics, to help round out the day. However, those not in falling into these categories often ended up with a lot of free time; fortunately policy makers in Mississippi are finding ways to assist these students.
- Senators Burks Hill and Smith along with Representative Frierson panelists for Chamber Business Review The Greater Area Picayune Chamber of Commerce held a Legislative Review for the business community, at Char Southern Steakhouse, Monday at 5:30 p.m. Panelists included State Senator District 40 Angela Burks Hill, State Senator District 47 Tony Smith, and State Rep. Herb Frierson of Poplarville. All are Republican. They spoke on the past session and bills they either authored or helped pass which impact local and state businesses.
- Investing in the community one building at a time There is a bit of a renaissance occurring in Pearl River County. This is happening one building at a time. It seems to be happening rather quietly, but the end results are going to help shape the future of the county and the cities located here.
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Medical Group gives back to community
, Children’s International Medical Group is proud to announce the opening of their pediatric clinic in Picayune.
The clinic is one of many throughout La. and Miss. which brings compassionate care centered around pediatric patients and the community in which they live.
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Charter Bank names Westfall as VP
Charter Bank is pleased to announce the addition of Rich Westfall as vice president of business development and marketing. His responsibilities will be to lead business and community development and oversee all marketing efforts for the bank.
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Weak Oracle sales, Cyprus fears weigh on US stocks
Stocks closed lower on Wall Street Thursday after Oracle’s weak sales results weighed down big U.S. technology companies. Traders also worried about Cyprus running out of time to avoid bankruptcy.
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Mississippi REALTORS® hold annual REALTOR® Day at the Capitol
On Feb.7, 2013 Pearl River County REALTORS® joined more than 120 Mississippi REALTORS® at the Mississippi State Capitol to take part in REALTOR® Day at the Capitol.
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More than school board needs to be changed: Part 2
Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
At quick glance, it is easy to see that the Mississippi economy will only need about 25 percent of its workforce at the bachelor’s level or higher. Most jobs still require only a high school degree, but many well paying jobs will require some sort of 2 year degree or a post high school type credential such as a certificate in welding, carpentry or plumbing. -
HORNE LLP welcomes Picayune native as spring accounting intern
HORNE LLP, one of the top accounting and business advisory firms in the nation, recently welcomed Melissa Pigott of Picayune, Miss., as a spring accounting intern. A total of 26 accounting students were selected for the highly competitive internship program.
Pigott is a student at the University of Southern Mississippi and is completing her internship in assurance services in the Ridgeland, Miss., office location. -
More than school board needs to be changed: Part 1
By Dr. Scott Alsobrooks/Guest Columnist
The Senate Education Committee passed Bill 2141 recently. The bill is championed by local Senator Tony Smith. While the bill would not affect Pearl River Central Schools, it would change the Picayune and Poplarville School Districts from a mix of appointed and elected board members, to all elected. An amendment was put in the bill to require board members to have at least one year of college. - More Business Headlines
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