Earning a bachelor’s degree used to be a near-guarantee of financial stability and professional opportunity. Employers sought out talented graduates, provided them with additional on-the-job training, and set in motion a promising career path. Today, the paradigm has shifted—and employers expect experienced workers who are capable of doing the job from day one. But rarely does the college classroom develop that ability, and many young jobseekers have not used their undergraduate years to build the skills they need. As a result, a growing number of grads find themselves adrift, thousands of dollars in debt, and facing an uncertain job market that may leave them financially dependent on their parents for years to come, ultimately leading moms and dads to wonder: Why did I pay all that money?

In There Is Life After College, Jeffrey J. Selingo, author of College (Un)bound, explains why the transition to post-college life has become more difficult and provides a step-by-step plan full of practical advice that every young professional can follow to jumpstart a career. He begins early in the process and helps direct parents and students to the right colleges, in the right locations, while also examining the benefits of detours, such as gap years and work experience before college. Selingo describes the types of courses that will impress employers and shows how they can evolve into the internships that build an impressive post-graduation résumé made up of in-demand skills and hands-on experience.

Full of tips, advice, and insight, There Is Life After College is a wise, commonsense guide for the years from the end of high school through college graduation that will help every student—no matter their major or degree—find real employment. Parents will also find some peace of mind that their child’s time in college is well spent.

“Amid all the anxiety among parents and students about how to get into college and how to pay for it, Jeffrey Selingo identifies the question we should be worried about: What comes after college? This book is an important wake-up call for anyone concerned with the future of our higher-education system, as well as an invaluable guide for students who want to make the most of their college years.”—Paul Tough, author of the New York Times bestseller How Children Succeed

“Jeffrey Selingo’s book belongs on the desk of every career counselor, on the shelf of every parent, and in the hands of every young person planning his or her future. There Is Life After College is essential reading for navigating the new workplace terrain.”—Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of To Sell Is Human and Drive

“Why are so many young adults wandering or straggling in the job market? How can parents help their kids thrive out there? Drawing upon his decades of research and extensive conversations with twentysomethings, educators, and employers, Selingo convincingly frames the twenty-first-century job market as a wholly unfamiliar terrain, then provides comprehensive strategies and tactical tips for tackling it.”—Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult

“An eye-opening exploration of what the future holds for college grads. It’s a must-read for students—and their parents—to prepare for launching careers in a radically different job market.”—Adam Grant, New York Times bestselling author of Give and Take and Originals

“Jeffrey Selingo’s There Is Life After College is essential reading for high school and college students and their parents. Selingo doesn’t just provide the answers, he makes sure his readers know the important questions to ask. Students looking for a road map to the future should get this book and heed its advice.”—Patricia Rose, director of career services, University of Pennsylvania