Maryland Educators: College Isn't the Only Path to Success

Expanding Career Pathways in Maryland

The Maryland State Board of Education is taking a significant step forward by adopting new statewide course standards for career and technical education programs. This initiative emphasizes that there are multiple pathways to a successful career, including both college and apprenticeships. The board's goal is to provide students with diverse opportunities to build skills and secure well-paying jobs without necessarily requiring a traditional college degree.

William “Brit” Kirwan, vice chair of the Accountability and Implementation Board for the Blueprint for Maryland’s Future, highlighted during a recent board meeting in Baltimore that many jobs in the economy require substantial skill but not a college education. These positions can lead to fulfilling and well-compensated careers. The Blueprint for Maryland’s Future is a multibillion-dollar education reform plan being implemented across the state.

By the 2030-31 school year, the Blueprint aims to ensure that 45% of public school graduates have completed a high school-level registered apprenticeship or another industry-recognized credential. This ambitious target reflects a growing recognition of the value of hands-on learning and practical experience in preparing students for the workforce.

O’Marie Barnes, an 18-year-old student member of the state board, shared his personal experience with career and technical education. He is part of a business administration program at Crossland High School in Temple Hills, Prince George’s County. Barnes encourages other students to take advantage of these programs, as they offer valuable skills and credentials. He is already applying what he has learned in his nonprofit organization, Barnes & Scott Youth At Law, which teaches young people about the law.

Barnes emphasized the importance of pursuing one's passions and noted that some students can earn nearly $100,000 right out of high school. “That’s incredible,” he said. He plans to attend college after graduation but believes that career and technical education provides a solid foundation for any future path.

Jennifer Lynch, a member of the Accountability and Implementation Board, pointed out that 73% of jobs in Maryland that pay a living wage require a college degree. However, she stressed the need to provide students with flexibility as they make decisions about their futures. “We want to make sure that students at 14 and 15 years old who are making decisions have an opportunity at 25 and 30 to make new decisions,” she said.

State Sen. Jim Rosapepe, representing Prince George’s and Anne Arundel counties, noted that around 60% of high school graduates start college, but many drop out by age 25. “Despite the rhetoric of college for all, most students don’t get a college degree,” he said. Rosapepe called for more apprenticeships, which are more prevalent in other countries.

On Tuesday, Democratic State Sen. Cory McCray released a book titled “The Apprenticeship that Saved my Life: Guidebook to Navigating the Earn-While-You-Learn Opportunity of a Lifetime.” McCray, who represents Baltimore, shared his personal journey of overcoming challenges, including being removed from several public schools and navigating the juvenile justice system. His mother sought out apprenticeship programs, and his life changed when he was accepted into the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. “I then had the ability to see something bigger than the small universe that I grew up with,” McCray said.

McCray, now in his 20s, started buying houses and later earned a business degree from Baltimore City Community College. He urges students to begin discussing career pathways as early as middle school. While some may choose university or community college, others may find apprenticeships to be equally valuable. “It’s actually equivalent for those that may not want to seek that alternative of a university or community college,” he said.

University of Baltimore President Kurt Schmoke supports expanding apprenticeship opportunities in the city. In a recent Baltimore Sun op-ed, he wrote about discussions on issuing degrees and workforce certificates aligned with apprenticeship programs. “Rather than insisting that higher education and the trades stay in their separate corners, we’re looking at how we could bring them closer together,” he wrote.

These developments reflect a broader shift in recognizing the importance of diverse educational and career pathways. By offering students a range of options, Maryland is working to ensure that all young people have the tools they need to succeed in the modern workforce.