Current health crisis changes college students’ goals and outlooks
Thirty percent of college students said that they will take a gap year and choose other alternatives, such as online courses or travel. So says a recent study conducted by Remoteinternships.com.
Students throughout the United States quickly switched to e-learning in March when schools were ordered to close to reduce the spread of coronavirus. Approximately 90% of schools worldwide closed to “flatten the curve.”
This translated to a disappointing final year when high schools and universities switched to remote learning. This meant that the much look forward to graduation ceremonies and in-person proms were canceled.
The results of these unprecedented changes?
When asked if COVID-19 affected plans to obtain a college degree, 61.6% said no impact, and 34.6% said they weren’t sure.
The remaining 3.8% of students decided not to complete their degree.
The current health crisis has forced students to rethink their futures.
According to the study, 72% said they haven’t considered changing their career path or major because of COVID-19, but 28% of students — even those who were initially firm about their major — are considering a career change.
Forty-one percent of students who planned to work for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are changing their career path. Perhaps they’re considering more lucrative industries, observed Remoteinternships.com.
Over the short-term, 22.6% of students plan to take a gap year or sabbatical, deferring school (their current college or one they’re entering as freshman), or forgoing school over the near term.
Of those considering taking a year off traditional college, 54.5% plan to get a job; 26.1% said they’ll take online courses; 23.2% plan to travel; 20.1% aren’t sure; 10.9% said “other;” 9% said they’ll improve skills in programming; 8.3% will look for an internship; and 5.4% will work for their family’s business.
Telecommuting concerns
Students were practically equally divided in their response to, “how would you feel if your first job was remote?” And 38.4% said they’d feel neutral about it, 38.1% said they would feel like they’re missing out, and 23.4% said they prefer it.
Internship plans changed
Once standard for college students, the study found that 38.4% of students did not plan on pursuing a summer internship, and 37.9% said their internship had been canceled and haven’t found a replacement, and 14.4% said their summer internship was still on but would be remote.
Regarding COVID-19’s impact on the value of an internship, 46.2% said that internships have become more valuable, 32.8% said no change, and 21.1% feel internships are devalued because of the pandemic.
Predictions
Forty-one percent of students who planned to work for non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are changing their career path. Perhaps they’re considering more lucrative industries, observed Remoteinternships.com.
For recent grads and those taking a gap year, finding a job is a top priority; 48.1% said the majority of workers will return to the office later this year; 18% said this summer;
15.7% said when a vaccine is available; 17.2% said next year; and the remaining said “never.”