Guest Post By Leighton Watson, Sophomore at Howard University

The quest for higher education can be a huge investment made by young adults and their families. Due to the recession, high unemployment rates and high student loan payments, it seems like everyone wants to jump in on the debate on revamping the higher education model for the job market.

As a sophomore at Howard University, I recently had the pleasure of attending an event co-hosted by Young Invincibles and the US Chamber of Commerce, “Getting to Work: What Students and Employers Need From Higher Education.” I was excited to be a part of the dialogue linking business professionals, education officials, and student leaders. This event seemed like an avenue for me to interject the student voice into a much-needed conversation, and I was right.

While at the event, each student was placed at a roundtable with at least one education official and business leader. This set up allowed for a vibrant and open dialogue that spurred efficient, simple, tangible solutions.  Much of the discussion centered on the Student Right to Know Before You Go Act. This piece of legislation calls for greater transparency in colleges and universities by publishing the outcomes information of their graduates by major.

As the oldest child in my family, I would have loved access to this information before making my college selection, and my fellow students agree. We don’t care if the service is provided through the state or federal level; we just feel we deserve to know the proposed return of investment.

Some attendees were skeptical of this idea, but as a student, I hold a different view. I believe that the colleges who are producing successful graduates will want to publicize this information. The only colleges that would need to worry are the ones that are riding on the coattails of tradition or fancy advertising, but masking the fact that their recent graduates are exiting unprepared for what lies ahead.

This event sparked a flame in me to make sure my voice is heard.  Conversations like the ones we had at the event can help my generation take a giant leap forward.