#LetsBFRANK: Straight Talk about Technology Education and Essential Careers

Posted in #LetsBFRANK: The College Admissions Blog on April 30, 2020

This post was written by Marie Gendron

The world seems uncertain right now and many people are facing unemployment.

Despite the current environment, there are jobs that remain essential, that continue to have strong demand, and that offer paychecks large enough to support a family. Many of these jobs are in the technology sector and many only require a college certificate or a two-year associate degree to get started.

Whether you’re a high school student or someone contemplating a career change, you need facts to help you make an informed decision about whether it is time to invest in your education.

To help you cut through the clutter, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology (BFIT) has launched its #LetsBFRANK fact-based awareness campaign. The campaign includes a new admissions blog, along with social media posts and infographics that will provide facts about the cost and value of its college programs, tips to help navigate the college admissions process, and information about pay rates and employment data for various technology professions.

So, let’s start with some facts.

FACT ONE

College is an investment that pays dividends for your entire career.

$7,000: How much more per year you can earn with an associate degree vs just a high school diploma
30%: How much higher the unemployment rate is for people with a high school diploma vs those with an associate degree

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

FACT TWO

College can help under-served students and their families break out of poverty and build a strong economic future.

$8: Median net worth for African-American families in Greater Boston
$35,000-$75,000/year: Typical starting pay for recent BFIT graduates, depending on their major

Source: 2015 report by the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston, Duke University, and the New School and BFIT

FACT THREE

A college degree brings higher lifetime income, but not all degrees are created equal.

$87,000: Median pay for STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) jobs
$38,000: Median pay for all other jobs

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

FACT FOUR

Studies have shown potential bias in standardized tests like the SAT/ACT, as well as gaps in average scores by race and ethnicity. Standardized tests are not good predictors of college success, but a majority of colleges still require them for admission.

78 %: US Colleges that require SAT/ACT scores for admission
0%: BFIT Programs that require SAT/ACT scores for admission

Source: National Association for College Admission Counseling and BFIT

FACT FIVE

BFIT is a private, non-profit college in Boston committed to creating opportunities for anyone who wants to earn a college education, particularly those from Boston’s underserved communities. Here’s a snapshot of our student body:

74% people of color
54% first-generation college students
93% students receiving financial aid (including Free Tuition for eligible, low-income Boston residents)

Since 1908, BFIT has offered affordable technology programs focused on skill-building in industries with strong, consistent workforce needs. We work closely with employers to make sure you have the skills you need to find employment in fields including:

Automotive Technology
Computer Information Technology
Construction Management
Electrical Engineering
Engineering Technology
Health Information Technology
HVAC&R Technology
Network & Systems Support
Opticianry
Software Development
Web Design Multimedia

If you’re ready to invest in yourself and work toward a better future, we want to hear from you. We promise to always give you the facts you need.

To learn more about what BFIT can do for you, visit BFIT.edu or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram or YouTube.

At Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, we are committed to creating opportunities for any student who wants to work toward a better future. And we promise to always provide the facts you need to make an informed decision about your education.