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Health & Fitness

Employment Numbers Favor College Graduates

A new report shows that a college degree is critical to securing a job today. Learn how College Bound Opportunities is making this happen for local kids.

College Bound Opportunities Prepares Students for the Workforce

A new report from the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce found that 7% of job seekers with at least a bachelor's degree were unemployed compared to 24% unemployment among those with a high school diploma or less. The College Advantage: Weathering the Economic Storm report underscores the importance of a college education. This can be particularly crushing to lower income families who already struggle to attend college. College Bound Opportunities (CBO), a local nonprofit that assists under-resourced students in earning a college degree, is combating these figures through its programs.

Through a comprehensive approach that includes ACT Prep classes, tutoring, and financial support, CBO Scholars are graduating at a rate of 96% compared to 56% of college students nationally. The core of CBO programming, though, is the one-to-one mentorships. By matching their students with a mentor from high school through college graduation, CBO Scholars are receiving the guidance to successfully earn a degree. With a degree in hand, CBO Scholars have a greater chance to be successful in life. "This report is truly an eye opener," said Susan Bell, Executive Director of CBO. "If these kids didn't go to college, this report shows they would have a one in four chance of being unemployed. That is a staggering figure and points to the critical service CBO is providing our Scholars."

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In order to give its Scholars the greatest advantages, CBO also created the Beyond College Program, which includes workshops in resume writing and interviewing in addition to access to internships. CBO Scholars receive every resource possible to obtain gainful employment, and this begins with a college degree. "It is a tough job market for college graduates but far worse for those without a college education," said Anthony P. Carnevale, director of the Georgetown Center and co-author of the report. "At a time when more and more people are debating the value of postsecondary education, this data shows that your chances of being unemployed increases dramatically without a college degree." To help support a CBO Scholar, call 847-943-9226 or go to www.cbo4success.org.


About College Bound Opportunities:

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College Bound Opportunities (CBO) is a not-for-profit organization centered in the ten communities within Deerfield and Highland Park High School District 113 and Lake Forest Community High School District 115. CBO identifies economically disadvantaged, high-achieving young people who, without support, would likely forgo post-secondary education and assists them in applying to and completing college. CBO goals are achieved through a program of one-on-one mentoring between volunteers and scholars. Additional aid provided by CBO includes tutoring, training services, laptop computers, and up to $4,000 per year in financial support. Learn more at http://cbo4success.org.

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