Community College Adjustment Among Dislocated Workers

Abstract

Community colleges often are catalysts for economic and workforce development in localities with high unemployment or large numbers of dislocated workers. Increasingly, dislocated workers-individuals who have experienced job loss due to occupational closings, reduced workforces, or severe local economic downturns-are enrolling in educational

The Role of Community Colleges in Career Transitions for Older Workers

“…An important goal of any outreach program is to inform potential students about the benefits of returning to school. Newly displaced workers are often unaware of educational resources in their community; and as a result, outreach programs may need to be more aggressive in targeting potential students (Schwitzer et al, 2011). In order to achieve positive outcomes for diverse groups served by community colleges, including those with lower levels of education and racial and ethnic minorities, outreach programs by both American Job Centers and community colleges may need to target specific groups in different ways and train their staffs accordingly.…”

“…Companies tend to hire the long-term unemployed last (Aaronson, Mazumder, & Schechter, 2010), so finding employment becomes more difficult as unemployment duration increases. Newly unemployed workers may be unaware of available educational and training opportunities, and as a result, community colleges may need to be more aggressive in making dislocated workers aware of available programs (Schwitzer, Duggan, Laughlin, & Walker, 2011). Programs that make community residents more aware of postsecondary educational opportunities allow older students to better understand potential sources of training (Alssid et al, 2002).…”

Community College Counseling: Why Are Research Outcomes So Elusive?

“…Community colleges also are highly involved with workforce development, relying heavily on college counselors for their career counseling and life span development expertise (Miller & Tuttle, ; Schwitzer, Duggan, Laughlin, & Walker, ). Likewise, community colleges are highly engaged with school systems—especially high schools where they provide dual high school/college enrollment programs, GED and technical training programs, and associate degrees and prep programs leading from high school to 4‐year institutions—and, therefore, rely heavily on the work of counselors to support student transitions from the late‐adolescent high school environment to the demands of the young adult and adult academic and personal worlds (Learner & Brand, ).…”

Career Decision‐Making Intervention With Unemployed Adults: When Good Intentions Are Not Effective

“…However, there is also evidence to suggest that unemployed adults entering college for career retraining may have higher academic adjustment and performance compared with traditional college students (Schwitzer et al, ). Schwitzer et al () suggested that the nontraditional nature of these students (e.g., married with children) might increase their motivation to excel in retraining opportunities and to use unemployment services more fully. The results of the current study contradict previous research in that our participants experienced increased difficulty with career decision making.…”

“…Research suggests that unemployed individuals have some similarity to college student populations on whom career interventions have been developed and normed, including negative career thinking and decision‐making skills (Bullock‐Yowell et al, ), as well as social, emotional, and institutional adjustment (Schwitzer, Duggan, Laughlin, & Walker, ). However, there is also evidence to suggest that unemployed adults entering college for career retraining may have higher academic adjustment and performance compared with traditional college students (Schwitzer et al, ). Schwitzer et al () suggested that the nontraditional nature of these students (e.g., married with children) might increase their motivation to excel in retraining opportunities and to use unemployment services more fully.…”