1958 - A Great Year To Be In High School. So Many Advantages. What Caused Them?
David Hoffman David Hoffman
1.03M subscribers
18,902 views
0

 Published On Sep 11, 2021

This is a clip from my documentary feature, Sputnik Mania. It opens with a scene recorded in 1958 that presents a dialogue between a high school career advisor and a group of high school seniors. 1958 was a special year for students in high school. In late 1957 the Russians (USSR) launched Sputnik, the first artificial satellite, and it provoked Americans to look at our education system and make changes to compete with the Russians for dominance in space. Students who were in high school at that time remember the changes which included more homework, increased science and math classes, special classes for students who excelled in academics and scholarships of all kind. I graduated high school in 1959 and got a full scholarship to college including room and board and books paid for.

In 1959 25% of high school graduates in the United States were enrolled in college. Some options for high school graduates included entering the workforce directly, starting an apprenticeship, enlisting in the military or pursuing vocational training in fields such as mechanics, agriculture or nursing.

Getting a college decree at that time provided several benefits. Below I list some of them:

The late 1950s saw a flourishing economy with expanding job opportunities in various industries. A college degree provided a significant competitive advantage in the job market, often leading to higher-paying and more stable employment.

Lower College Enrollment Rates: With fewer people attending college in the 1950s compared to 2021, obtaining a degree was more likely to set someone apart and lead to greater opportunities in the job market.

Lower Tuition Costs: College was generally more affordable in the 1950s compared to 2021, making it a less financially burdensome investment for many individuals.

Less Specialization: A college degree in the late 1950s may have been more general in focus, with graduates having a broader range of career options available to them.

Getting a college degree was seen as a pathway to a better career and higher earning potential. Many of the jobs that required a college degree at the time were in fields such as business, law, medicine, engineering and education. Individuals who had a college degree were more likely to be employed in professional or managerial positions and tended to earn higher salaries than those without a degree.

Viewers might ask one of the benefits of a college degree today? Around 66% of high school graduates are currently enrolled in college. But the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on college enrollment rates.

If you listen to what the college recruiters say, these are some of the benefits of a degree.
A Knowledge-based Economy: The economy is increasingly knowledge-based and technology-driven. As a result, a college degree is often a prerequisite for entering many fields and the demand for highly skilled workers continues to grow.

Higher Lifetime Earnings: Although the wage premium for a college degree has varied over time in general college graduates can expect to earn significantly more over their lifetimes than individuals without a degree.

Access to a Global Job Market: Advances in technology and increased globalization allows for a more connected and global job market. A college degree provides access to international job opportunities as well as the potential for remote work.

Continued Emphasis on Networking: College offers opportunities for students to build valuable professional connections with peers, professors and alumni. This is similar to the late 1950s.

More Specialization Options: Today there are many more degree programs and fields of study available to students, allowing for greater specialization and tailoring of education to specific career paths.

Lifelong Learning: As the job market and industries continues to evolve a college degree often serves as a foundation for lifelong learning, helping individuals stay competitive in a changing workforce.

I currently have two sons of college-age. I am not convinced that a college degree is worth the increasing cost and the student loan debt they will have. This is not the same as it was back then. Additionally the saturation of the job market with college-educated candidates diminishes the competitive advantage that a degree once offered.

I would like to thank those organizations that advertise on my video clip. Without that support I could not continue to provide clips like this one to my audience. They include: Tiaa Cref Yale. Kansas State financial planning. Financial planning degree. Urban planning. CFA Princeton review. Idea University prep. ASU prep Academy digital.
David Hoffman filmmaker

show more

Share/Embed