Other colleges are discovering The Capitol Way

Graduate from college and you'll be ready for entry into the workforce, right? Think again.

In a recent article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Casey Fabris noted the results of a national study on employer perceptions concerning higher education. The report, produced by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, found that many employers do not believe that college graduates are adequately prepared for the world of work.

“It’s not that higher education is doing a lousy job. It’s that what is being asked of them was much more strenuous than it had been before,” the authors of the study observed.

In essence, employers are looking for students who have demonstrated applied learning. Studies have shown that students taught theoretical principles, processes and skills in isolation without practice do not transfer these skills and knowledge as well to real life situations. In essence, applied learning is THE CAPITOL WAY. As American higher education is transforming itself, we can expect to see a growing number of institutions retool their programs along the lines already pioneered by Capitol.

Particularly in technology focused industries, employers are demanding students who are not just job-enabled, but job-ready, able to begin contributing to the corporate mission on Day One.

Being prepared and job-ready is not only a matter of skills. It also means that future employees are used to working in team environments, and have a plethora of experience in project-oriented learning.  CTU’s senior project requirements represent the epitome of brining learning and doing together. In addition to the projects, many of our students are engaged with projects with employers.  One example is CHIMP (Command Housekeepint ITOS Monitoring Program), designed for NASA by Capitol senior Cordell Kennerly.

Since its founding as Capitol Radio Engineering Institute in 1927, our instition has focused on training students to tackle the kinds of problems and challenges they'll encounter on the job. Our approach hasn't changed, but the times have; more than ever, success in the workplace depends on mastering the application of practical skills. At Capitol, that's been our approach all along.

While other schools are awakening to the reality of applied learning, Capitol Technology University  is already leading the way.

Dr. Vic Maconachy, Vice President for Academic Affairs