As career opportunities evolve and costs rise for…well…everything, the question on everyone’s lips when it comes to education is “Is college still worth it?” In Memphis, the answer is a resounding, “yes!”
While many young people are delaying or skipping college altogether due to cost and skepticism about its return on investment, the research continues to show that the job market favors college graduates in many ways.
College graduates are:
- more likely to earn higher wages
- less likely to be unemployed
- more likely to have full-time jobs
In addition to the perks in your bank account, the experience provided through post-secondary education is transformative and provides crucial long-term connections and social resources. When you pair those outcomes with community connections, Memphis stands out as a place where you can live into your fullest potential.
Colleges and universities in Memphis offer a range of experiences and academic opportunities, but what sets them apart from campuses in other cities is that they function as a vibrant ecosystem. Schools in Memphis collaborate with the community and with each other — leaders engage as thought partners and peers; students share resources and formal academic supports between campuses; and companies in Memphis provide professional connections, internships, and job opportunities. In a city with a global footprint on industry and culture, college students in Memphis have an unrivaled level of access to businesses, organizations, leaders who are shaping the future right here at home.
From unique curriculum to volunteer opportunities and hands-on learning, colleges and universities in Memphis provide pathways to prosperity that are rooted in the community. Whether a student was raised in the area or has come to the city for academic pursuits, they will have a chance to experience the community with fresh eyes thanks to campus connections.
"We're fully invested in Memphis. If you can buy into making Memphis a better place, you stick and stay [here]. We are all things Memphis — in it to win it. I want to see Memphis win, and I don't apologize for that."
Memphis’ colleges and universities do more than educate
They are essential civic anchors shaping the region’s talent pipeline, stabilizing neighborhoods, driving research and innovation, and influencing long-term economic vitality. All of these factors play a critical role in employee readiness, attraction, and retention for local employers.
"There are good jobs here in the city of Memphis. There are good jobs in Tennessee. It's one way we build up that workforce. And we're going to need it. And by the way, if we don't, the neighboring states and states throughout the country are going to be coming to Memphis to try to take our students away from us, to take them to the states, because they know that if they can get them to Georgia or wherever the case may be...they're likely to stay there. So we have to fight hard to make sure that we keep them right here, which means we need to offer programs that, again, lead to good outcomes, and we need our companies to continue to provide those internship opportunities and to hire those graduates when they do finish."
Want to hear directly from college and university leaders about the ways their campuses are navigating challenges and how they are working in collaboration with each other and with the community to create a thriving Memphis for generations to come? In this 66-minute listen, tune in to a conversation moderated by Dr. Joann Massey (EDGE) that features Dr. Bill Hardgrave (University of Memphis), Jennifer Collins (Rhodes College), and Dr. Tracy D. Hall (Southwest Tennessee Community College). Dr. Christopher Davis (LeMoyne-Owen College) shares how Memphis’ HBCU is anchoring talent in the city by creating job-ready, community-informed leaders here, and President-Elect Ron Brandon (Christian Brothers University) discusses the impact of turning learners into leaders here.
Hear from real leaders making a real impact in Memphis each week on the Meanwhile in Memphis podcast, airing on Tuesdays at 8am on WYXR 91.7 FM and streaming wherever you prefer to listen podcasts.
Know a local college student?
New Memphis Accelerate is a free, semester-long experience that offers college undergraduates the skills and networks necessary to launch successful careers in Memphis. Over six sessions, two social outings, and a graduation in a semester, students receive top-notch professional development, gain insight into local career paths, and make valuable connections with area employers looking to hire young talent. Accelerate offers the essential footing needed for students to find and be successful in a paid Memphis-area internship. Plus, students who complete the program will earn a stipend — a chance to learn and earn!
For college students and interns spending summer in the city, New Memphis Summer Experience is a free series of events in June and July that helps interns and college students experience the city, connect with peers, and showcase why Memphis stands out as a place where they can thrive professionally and socially!
Great cities need great leaders, and New Memphis builds them. New Memphis is a leadership development organization that infuses Memphis with leaders who are passionate about positive community change and have the skills needed to take action. New Memphis’ leadership development programs inspire thought, connection, and action, helping participants find meaningful ways to use their talents and networks to be effective city advocates at any point in their careers — from the college classroom to the C-Suite executive.
