What is the next step?

College comes as the logical and often final step in an academic career. There are many who map out the path to compete for a spot in higher education. From parents who spend thousands to ensure their children attend the best schools to students who do everything to connect with the right people to get that perfect scholarship. For good reason, too. People with a bachelor’s degree will earn $1.2 million more over their lifetime and have more sustainable jobs than those without one. With 43 percent of jobs requiring a bachelor’s degree by 2031, in theory only more value will be placed on a college degree over time.

But to many, that value is not worth the time, money and effort, despite its long-term benefits. The public has become detached from the worth of a college degree. In fact, only one in four adults believe a bachelor’s degree is very important for a well paying job. Most parents say they would prefer their children not enroll in a four-year institution and more than two-thirds of employers value learners’ investments in employer- or industry-certified skills over academic degrees.

The response from schools has been a greater emphasis on programs like career and technical education (CTE) or strategic partnerships with local organizations to provide students with work-based learning experiences. This creates an option for some students to take paths outside of higher education, but even with these efforts in place, many districts judge high schools on how many students are enrolled in college come fall, not by how many have a job.

[Related: Many states picked diploma pathways over high school exit exams. Did students benefit?]

When I hear students weighing their options between attending higher education and almost anything else, I am left wondering what other opportunities students have had to soundly make this decision if the “logical” but sometimes fleeting step is the only one some schools present. How can we improve the preparation of youth to pursue alternative paths that lead to sustainable adulthood? And how can we change systems so these pathways expand?

Rather than continuing to frame college as the only logical next step, we should explore and build options for students to gain the skills needed to navigate paths other than college.

This is the moment for not just schools but cross-sector organizations to recognize that youth need support and systematic scaffolds that set them on a path outside of the success many believe only comes from a college degree. It is the role of businesses, universities, local schools, governments, youth serving organizations and more to ensure that they are set on this path. You may ask “why?” It is because every person who graduates from high school will be someone who contributes to our society and its growth. Without a healthy society — one where everyone has an opportunity to contribute based on a pathway that aligns with their needs, interests and abilities — we are limiting our collective potential.

More organizations are recognizing the importance of implementing workforce and non-collegiate programming and pose it as a serious option for youth. In Philadelphia, there are examples of this with new initiatives across schools and even the local government with the City’s College for Municipal Employment (CCME). At CCME, Philadelphia offers free options for local residents to complete technical programs in healthcare, transportation, technology and more at the Community College of Philadelphia. However, earning a certificate is not the only goal. These programs are designed to be the launching point of a person’s career where they can continue to grow within their field. Isn’t growth what we want after all?

[Related: Juma Ventures helps “opportunity youth” earn, learn and launch careers]

While efforts to provide multiple pathways to success vary from place to place, there are options that should be considered:

• School, nonprofit, and business leaders can develop pathways programs within high schools that include both academic and experiential learning, in partnership with local businesses, to equip students with in-demand skills and professional networks. The Greenbrier Valley Economic Development Corporation highlights a number of examples ranging from connecting middle school and high school students with manufacturing to exposing students to outdoor tourism.

• Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs should be strengthened through more integration of real-world work experience and improved funding to ensure more students are prepared to meet growing skills-based expectations in the workforce. See an example in Pennsylvania’s expanded CTE funding plan, which highlights how funding can provide thousands more students with the resources and support needed to participate in CTE programs. See also the impact this had on expanding CTE in Indiana, Pa.

• Invest in and partner with the wide range of youth-serving nonprofits that focus on pathways to careers and certification such as Year Up and Propel America.

Think about how much more our society can benefit everyone, and not only those who do go to college, if we implement only one of the examples above. Graduates would leave high school with reliable options to develop their knowledge about skill- and career-building opportunities. Industries like medicine and the trades could greatly benefit from skilled youth who can not only reverse skilled labor shortages but also have the potential to explore and pursue high career potential within the field.

But to achieve this reality it is not good enough for young people to only be aware of these paths. It will require greater partnership, more intentional program design and supporting young people prepared to pursue these paths so those who choose not to take the step towards college can still confidently take the next step towards long-term success.

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Hakiem Ellison, M.S.Ed, is the Health Careers Coordinator at the Netter Center for Community Partnerships at the University of Pennsylvania. He develops health related and post-secondary pathways programming for youth in partnership with high schools and organizations in West Philadelphia.