Audio and supplemental materials from Senator Stephenson’s press conference.
In a packed press conference at the State Capitol today, Senator Howard Stephenson revealed his plans for solving the misalignment of education and careers. His statements about “degrees to nowhere” have elicited much discussion, but Senator Stephenson is sure that helping students to pursue career-based degrees will boost Utah’s economy in the long run.
Today, Senator Stephenson reiterated the problems this misalignment causes and proposed his solutions: primarily the use of a newly developed online program called “Life App,” whereby students can utilize technology to target career choices, keep track of their goals and even connect with school counselors.
Full Audio of the press conference is available here:
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See also:
PDF #1: Projections of Jobs & Education Requirements
PDF #2: Pathways to Prosperity
PDF #3: Center for American Progress “Disrupting College”

LifeApp: Aligning Education with Careers




[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Utah State Senate, utahpolitics, utahpolitics, utahpolitics, Royce Van Tassell and others. Royce Van Tassell said: RT @UTPublicEd: @SenatorHowardS unveils IBM web portal: RT @utahsenate LifeApp: Aligning Education with Careers http://bit.ly/i2SFN1 #utpol [...]
I say this is way past due! Finally someone who isn’t afraid to say the truth about what is obvious to many in the job market; the fact that way too many people seeking secondary education and degrees are misguided in their pursuit from the begining. I hope Rep. Howard Stephenson can convince our representatives to make it happen.
Senator Stephenson have you ever looked at or explored the UtahFutures.org program? This does the same thing your LifeApp program does and is explanding all the time and is already tied into the statewide school system from k-college. Students can identify their skills, interests, financial aid, colleges & training sites. What percentage does the Utah Taxpayer Association receive from IBM for pushing the LifeApp program?
From the UtahFutures website:
“UtahFutures.org is provided free of charge to all Utah residents through the support of these partners: GEAR UP, Utah State Office of Education, Utah Higher Education Assistance Authority (UHEAA), Utah State Office of Rehabilitation, and the Department of Workforce Services.”
I can’t believe that someone in the Senator’s office or family hasn’t clued him in to what already exists.
Once upon a time I thought Sen. Stephenson was a thoughtful man. Now he seems to be looking for Change for Change’s sake.
[...] Don’t know what to do with your life? There’s an app for that. Well, OK, there’s not yet, but maybe someday … http://bit.ly/i7waXk (SLT) and http://bit.ly/dJ5md5 (DN) and http://bit.ly/eQN5Q5 (KTVX) and http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=14418551 and http://bit.ly/f1VMyb (KCPW) and http://www.senatesite.com/home/education-career/ [...]
Didn’t Sen. Stephenson get one of those “degrees to nowhere” himself? I’m not sure I would say that his psychology major led him to failure.
Where I can preview this app?
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