MOCAN – Missouri College & Career Attainment Network

Increasing opportunity in college and career for Missouri students

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Voices of Gen Z

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Gallup, with support from the Walton Family Foundation, has released a series of reports that offer a deeper understanding of Generation Z – today’s middle and high school students. These findings are insightful for anyone working to guide students toward successful postsecondary pathways.

Key Takeaways for College and Career Advisors: 

  • Hopeful but Feeling Unprepared: While 79% of Gen Z believe they have a bright future, only about half feel prepared to achieve it. 
  • What Matters Most: Gen Z values happiness, financial stability, and strong personal relationships  more than wealth or status. 
  • Information Gaps: Many students say they lack access to the guidance and experiences needed to explore postsecondary options, especially non-four-year pathways.

Students need more support in: 

  • Understanding  financial aid 
  • Exploring career pathways and connecting to work-based learning opportunities
  • Building a professional network 

These insights reinforce the importance of early, personalized postsecondary advising. MOCAN’s Professional Development Institute workshops can help!

The Surest Path towards Economic Mobility

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Postsecondary Education Is a Game Changer

When it comes to economic mobility, few experiences rival the impact of earning a college degree. Among 28 different pathways to upward mobility, a postsecondary education stands out for its ability to transform lives, boosting lifetime income by an average of 39%.

For first-generation college students, the effect is even more profound. A degree doesn’t just change the trajectory of one individual, it reshapes the expectations and opportunities for entire families. It sends a powerful message: postsecondary education is possible, and it’s within reach.

Communities benefit too. In Missouri, each additional college graduate contributes $11,832 to the state’s GDP and helps create 5.6 support jobs. That’s a strong return on investment not just for the student, but for the state as a whole.

Working together across our network, we can reduce the barriers of access, affordability and completion and open pathways to brighter futures for more Missourians.