Agenda for Pathways to Good Jobs

Attendance at EWA’s 2020 Pathways event is free, but is limited to EWA Journalist, Student and Supporting Community members who pre-register.

Journalist non-members interested in this event, can join EWA for free!

Non-journalists are also welcome to join EWA as Supporting Community Members and attend this event.

This agenda is tentative and subject to change. It was updated Nov. 19, 2020.

All times are EST.

Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020

Welcome

12:00 – 12:05 p.m.

• Caroline Hendrie, EWA

The Big Picture: Higher Ed’s Role in the American Dream

12:05 – 12:50 p.m.

Higher education has long been called an engine of economic opportunity and mobility. But recent research has uncovered disturbing evidence that in many cases, higher education institutions are worsening socioeconomic inequality. What does the data show, and what changes are needed to make higher education an engine of opportunity and equitable growth?

• Byron Auguste, Opportunity@Work
• Anthony Carnevale, Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce
• Danielle Douglas-Gabriel, The Washington Post (moderator)

Ideas Lab

12:50 – 1:05 p.m. Attendees and speakers can join an informal roundtable to brainstorm story ideas, share research tips, and discuss writing challenges.

• Beth Hawkins, The 74 (moderator)

Break

1:05 – 1:30 p.m.

Credentials 101: Making Sense of Chaos

1:30 – 2:30 p.m.

By some counts, there are more than 700,000 different degrees, certificates, licenses, and other career-related credentials out there — a mind-boggling reality for any journalist attempting to cover the link between education and the labor market. Some credentials qualify as college credits. Some don’t. Some are “stackable” and can build toward a stable career. Some aren’t stackable. Some have proven labor market value. Others are worthless. In this interactive session, you’ll learn how to make sense of this apparent chaos.

• Scott Cheney, Credential Engine
• Amy Loyd, Jobs For The Future
• Rafael Lorente, University of Maryland (moderator)

Break

2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

Data Training: Certificate Earnings and Debt

3:00 – 3:45 p.m.

The U.S. Department of Education’s vast College Scorecard database now includes information on the earnings and debt loads of students who earn short-term certificates. Learn how to sift this data mine for nuggets that can reveal which programs in your coverage area do — or don’t — help propel students into good jobs.

• Brian Fu, U.S. Department of Education
• Ron Campbell, NBC (moderator)

Ideas Lab

3:45 – 4:00 p.m. Attendees can join an informal roundtable to get access to a simplified spreadsheet of debt levels for undergraduate certificate recipients, and brainstorm story ideas, share research tips, and discuss writing challenges.

• Kim Clark, EWA (moderator)

Friday, Dec. 11, 2020

Race, Racism and Career Pathways

12:00 – 12:45 p.m.

What are the links between segregation among and within educational institutions and in the job market? Are “certificates” turning into second-class educational credentials? Hear about data on segregation as well as efforts to break down racial barriers, including from an educational leader who is at the forefront of opening new pathways to health careers for students of color.

• Melissa Johnson, National Skills Coalition
• Tomas Monarrez, Urban Institute
• Reynold Verret, Xavier University of Louisiana
• David Pluviose, Diverse Issues in Higher Education (moderator)

Ideas Lab

12:45 p.m. – 1 p.m.

Attendees and speakers can join an informal roundtable to brainstorm story ideas, share research tips, and discuss writing challenges.

• Eva-Marie Ayala, Dallas Morning News (moderator)

Break

1 – 1:30 p.m.

How Is (or Isn’t) Job Training Working During the Pandemic?

1:30 – 2:15 p.m.

How are hands-on job training programs being affected by the pandemic? What kind of virtual job training works? Hear from teachers and students about what is — and what isn’t — helping students get practical job skills at a time of social distancing.

• Matthew Dembicki, Community College Daily
• Raymond Droessler, Madison College
• Crystal Horne, Edison State Community College
• Karthik Ramani, Purdue University
• Ashley A. Smith, EdSource (moderator)

Ideas Lab

2:15 – 2:30 p.m.

Attendees and speakers can join an informal roundtable to brainstorm story ideas, share research tips, and discuss writing challenges.

• Sascha Raiyn, WDET (moderator)

Break

2:30 – 3:00 p.m.

What Are the Skills and Jobs of the Future?

3:00 – 3:45 p.m.

What jobs will be in demand, and what skills and credentials are needed to fill them? What fields will offer scant opportunities? Hear experts discuss how for-profit and community colleges can better align their services to the changing labor market.

• Rufus Glasper, The League for Innovation in the Community College
• Rob Sentz, Emsi
• Trace Urdan, Tyton Partners
• Caroline Hendrie, EWA (moderator)

Ideas Lab

3:45 – 4:00 p.m.

Attendees and speakers can join an informal roundtable to brainstorm story ideas, share research tips, and discuss writing challenges.

• Cassie Burke, Chalkbeat (moderator)