FAQ

WHERE DO YOU DERIVE YOUR DATA FROM?

Job Search Intelligence, LLC is the primary data provider for ETC. JSI provides the following statement regarding its sources of data: The data are derived from over 50 different data sources within government agencies and educational institutions. These sources include and are not limited to: U. S. Department of Labor, U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Education Statistics, U. S. Census Bureau, Common Data Set Initiative, U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, U. S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U. S. Federal Reserve.

HOW RELIABLE ARE YOUR DATA?

We are confident that the sources of data and the statistical techniques employed to generate results are the best available. Our statisticians and data team have been in labor economics and public policy at the highest levels of academia and government since the 1970's.

WHY DOES ETC PLACE SO MUCH EMPHASIS ON FINANCIAL METRICS?

School is not free, it is very expensive. The time you spend in school is not free, it too is expensive. Ultimately, your education is an investment. It is the most important investment you will make in your young life; plan for it accordingly.

WILL YOU PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION FOR 2 YEAR SCHOOLS IN THE FUTURE?

Absolutely. The data show that 2 year colleges are a fantastic way to cost effectively get an education, or initiate your college education. This is especially true if you haven't determined exactly what you'd like to major in.

IN SOME INSTANCES, YOUR CAREERBUDDY PROGRAM RECOMMENDS NOT PURSUING A 4 YEAR DEGREE. WHY?

Contrary to conventional wisdom, a college degree is not beneficial for all people. The historical data show that some young people should simply enter the workforce and progress in the labor market as their experience grows. Another prudent path is to attend a 2 year college and if the student excels, then transfer to a 4 year school to focus on the major in which they have succeeded in the 2 year environment. We do not like to see young people begin their adult lives burdened with debt. Clearly the debt which typically accompanies a college degree is a very burdensome liability. We are pro people obtaining the appropriate education to enable them to attain the best career outcomes that they can. We provide accurate information regarding educational outcomes so that people can make fact-based, pragmatic decisions.

I HAVE READ THAT NO MATTER WHAT, PEOPLE WITH A BACHELORS DEGREE IN ANY SUBJECT END UP MAKING MORE MONEY OVER THEIR LIFETIME, AS OPPOSED TO THOSE THAT DO NOT GET A COLLEGE DEGREE. WHAT DO YOU SAY?

The facts show that 65% of recent college grads are not employed in their field of study. Most of them are working in jobs which require no college education. This does not imply that a college education is not of value. It tells you that some majors are simply not of value to employers.

SHOULD I DO A BUSINESS PLAN BEFORE I BORROW/SPEND A LOT OF MONEY ON COLLEGE?

What you will learn if you take any accounting or finance courses is that you should NEVER borrow or spend any significant amount of money without developing a real financial plan that demonstrates the return you will realize from your investment and how you will pay back any debts incurred from your investment. We agree wholeheartedly.

WHY ARE RECENT COLLEGE GRADUATES HAVING SUCH A DIFFICULT TIME FINDING JOBS?

The question is not uniformly valid. Most recent college grads are experiencing difficulty in the job market because they simply do not have the skills that employers want. Presently (2021) there are more than 9,000,000 open jobs in the U. S.