Work-based learning barriers persist for two-year college students
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Massachusetts community college students get more career coaching than those seeking bachelor's degrees, but lag far behind on paid internships and other work-based learning opportunities, a new report states.
Why it matters: The less work experience students have under their belt, the less competitive these students are as they enter an increasingly challenging workforce in a high-cost state.
- These hurdles persist in a state with free community college, though college completion rates remain higher than much of the country, per the report by the Indiana-based nonprofit Strada Education Foundation.
Driving the news: Massachusetts community college students have gotten more career coaching than students in other states, and more than bachelor's students here, per Strada's 2026 State Opportunity Index.
- But it hasn't translated to higher levels of work experience, per the 2026 State of Opportunity Index released Tuesday.
By the numbers: 47% of Mass. students seeking an associate's degree reported getting personalized career coaching.
- That's higher than the national average for two-year college students and nearly twice as high as the share of four-year college students, per the report's survey of nearly 110,000 college U.S. students in 2025 and 2026.
Yes, but: In Massachusetts, just 12% of associate students surveyed had participated in a paid internship or relevant job.
- The national average was 14%.
- Meanwhile, 40% of bachelor's students here and 43% of bachelor's students nationwide surveyed had gotten relevant work experience.
What they're saying: "There are just a lot of higher opportunity costs and more prevalent barriers for two-year students," said Michael Thomas, president and CEO of the New England Board of Higher Education.
- "Many of them are already working one or two jobs. It's difficult to then weave in another job, particularly if it's unpaid."
- Employers might also lean toward taking on an intern from a four-year college who has more schooling, says Nichole Torpey-Saboe, vice president of research at Strada and the report's co-author.
What we're watching: The Healey administration announced an initiative to expand co-ops for students at public four-year universities, offering training and coaching.
- The state sent funding to Bridgewater State University, Framingham State and the Mass. College of Art and Design to launch co-ops in the fall.
- The expansion doesn't extend to community colleges at this point.