Despite not having a high school diploma or college degree, he started multiple successful businesses that allowed him to financially support his family. During her senior year of high school, Wakeham was struggling to decide on her post-graduation route. US Census Bureau data found the enrollment rate of high school graduates at 61.4% in October 2023 was slightly down from 62% in 2022. Indeed, even as some Gen Zers don't think college is the best path for them, recent data has shown that college continues to provide long-lasting benefits when it comes to careers and earnings. Some high schools have shifted to place a greater emphasis on alternative routes since the pandemic.

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Persons: LeLaina Wakeham, Wakeham, didn't, Zers, Zach Hyrnowski, Hyrnowski, we've, Hrynowski, that's, Hannah Maruyama, Maruyama, Jared Polis, — she's Organizations: Service, Business, Gallup, Walton Family Foundation, Colorado Gov, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Reinventing Public Education, roundtables Locations: Mexico, New England