1958 High School Senior Students Had Hope For The Future. Do They Today?

This video was recorded in April 1958. Senior high school students discussing their future careers and lifestyles. These students are from a public high school. Of course this was decades before the concept of online classes for high school and college students. They raised subjects that are relevant today. Should they go to college? Should they join the military? Should they "go West." Should they become farmer, or go into business administration or get married right out of high school? Should they find a way to help society. Before going further, I should mention that the word Macdonald watermarked on this video is because my friend (Macdonald) copied the video to me 40 years ago from his personal archive.

Back in 1958 the percentage of high school students who went to college was significantly lower than it is today. Only about 30% of high school graduates went on to attend college. This is in contrast to the current rate where more than 60% of high school graduates enroll in college within 12 months of graduating. The college enrollment rate has been steadily increasing as more and more jobs require postsecondary education and the demand for skilled workers in various industries continues to grow.

The lower college enrollment rate in 1958 was due to limited access to colleges and universities, a greater emphasis on vocational training and apprenticeships and the fact that many well-paying jobs did not require a college degree. Also the cost of college was more prohibitive relative to the income of most middle-class American families.

One of the students in the video says that he wants to be a farmer. In the 1950s and 1960s farming was still a significant part of the US economy and way of life. Many high school graduates at the time chose careers in agriculture especially if they grew up in rural areas or came from farming families. In 1950, there were approximately 5.5 million farms in the US, and farming accounted for about 7% of the US workforce. However, by 1960, the number of farms had decreased to approximately 4.4 million, and farming accounted for about 6% of the US workforce.

Also in the 1950s a significant percentage of people in the USA lived in the same town or community where they were born and raised. Approximately 65% of people in the US lived in the state where they were born. The 1950s were a time of economic prosperity in many parts of the country. Transportation options were more limited which may have made it more difficult for people to move to new areas for work or other reasons. In 2019 37% of people in the US lived in a different state than where they were born.

Another student in the video says that he is going into the military. In 1958 12% of high school graduates joined the military after graduation. This was during the post-World War II era when the military was a significant employer, offering stable jobs and opportunities for advancement. The Korean War began in 1950 and ended in 1953. Many graduates joined the military to serve their country, to gain job skills and training, or to take advantage of the educational benefits offered by the GI Bill.

So many of you were watching this are currently looking for a job or looking to change jobs. And today, when you search on Google, what pops up Amazon jobs, Google jobs, Accenture careers, Phoenix Academy etc– all opportunities which did not exist back in the late 1950s. So many of you comment that things seemed simpler but these students seem as uncertain or certain as high school seniors would feel today if they were videotaped asking the same questions.

If you search the word students on my YouTube channel, you will find videos where high school and college students speak their minds and share their ideas.

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Thank you
David Hoffman filmmaker