New book, ’25 Ways to Make College Pay Off,’ helps parents help their college student

New book, ’25 Ways to Make College Pay Off,’ helps parents help their college studentJuly 05, 2007Sara Millersemortim@syr.edu

Bill Coplin, professor of public policy in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs and The College of Arts and Sciences at Syracuse University and author of “10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College” (Ten Speed, 2003), has written a new book, this time reaching out to the parents of college-bound and college-aged students with honest advice on how to mentor and guide students to maximize the opportunities in college that will leave them better prepared for the real world.

The new book, “25 Ways to Make College Pay Off: Advice for Anxious Parents from a Professor Who’s Seen It All,” will be released July 17 by AMACOM Books. In his book, Coplin presents two categories for readers: The first group describes things parents can do (or avoid doing) to be sure their child is on the right track; the second group addresses actions the college student must take and how parents can best influence those actions. Coplin developed this book drawing from more than 40 years’ experience in student advising, extensive research and interviews with some of the nation’s most prominent employers.

As a supplement to the book, Coplin has posted a blog geared toward parents, found at http://makecollegepayoff.blogspot.com. Here, Coplin offers parents current discussion on topics related to his book, including helping students make the most of an internship, helping them map a career path and preparing students for the workforce of the 21st century.

“25 Ways to Make College Pay Off” is a follow-up to the 2003 publication of “10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College,” a blueprint for students on how to develop a skill-set that will prepare them for professional opportunities beyond college.

“In 2003, I wrote ’10 Things Employers Want You to Learn in College,’ which was addressed directly to students. Parents would buy the book and say to me, `I hope I can get my son or daughter to read it,'” says Coplin. “This convinced me to write a book directly to parents so they could coach their child to develop the skills and character employers want and to explore careers so they are ready to launch themselves on a viable career path. In speaking to parents, career advisers and students since the publication of the earlier book, I have learned a great deal and wanted to share it with parents who should look at college as an investor would look at a business.”

Throughout his career, Coplin has written extensively on the need to reform both high school and college education to better meet the needs for the majority of students who see education as a path to better employment opportunities. In 2004, he was appointed as advisor for Professional Skills to College Parents of America.

Coplin has been the director of and a professor in the Maxwell School’s Public Affairs Program since 1976. He has published extensively in the fields of international relations, public policy, political risk analysis, social science education and citizenship, and he has won numerous teaching awards.

Coplin holds a bachelor’s degree in social science from Johns Hopkins University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in international relations from American University.

He is a frequent contributor to USA Today on high school and college education.