Everyone has an opinion on college – and it usually seems to be “whatever I chose to do is best and everyone else has no idea what they’re talking about.” Here I’ll be discussing several aspects of college in modern society, which make this topic a lot grayer than most believe.
For as long as most of us can remember, we were told that if we applied ourselves in school and went to college that we would be able to get a great job in a field that we love. While those with a bachelor’s degree do tend to out-earn those with just a high school diploma, that doesn’t make college a one-size-fits-all solution. Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be much of a difference in how much people enjoy their jobs between college and high-school graduates.
Before Going To College, Ask Yourself The Important Questions
- Do I know what I want to do with my life?
- Would a break from school help me figure things out?
- Do I need to go to college in order to get a job in the field I want?
- Would I rather use the money for a degree to start a business?
For everyone going into college with no idea what you want to do with your life – you’re wasting your time and money. Yes, college can help you find out what you like and pick your future career. However, you can also do that for free. Try a few different jobs out, volunteer in different types of work environments, explore your options – read books, instead of paying for lectures on something that may not apply to you in a few months.
Figure out what you want to do, if it requires college then obviously college is a good choice for you! I’m not arguing against college, but if you don’t need to take on student debt, then don’t. Spending your first year or two in college just exploring will add more to your student loans, which should be avoided.
If what you want to do not only requires a college degree, but doesn’t pay enough to warrant student debt, I’d encourage doing some soul-searching to figure out if that’s what you truly want to do. Be honest with yourself. How much do you need to make a year in order to be content? What about job security? Will you still enjoy it in ten or twenty years? These are all questions that deserve an answer before you make a life decision as huge as spending four years in school and taking out dozens of thousands in loans, if not more.
When Deciding If You Want To Go To College, Remember The Harsh Realities People Don’t Often Discuss
It can be scary to admit it, but there are a lot of unknowns and hazards that come with taking the risk and going to college. Likewise, not going to college can also be disastrous. That’s why it’s important to keep all of the harsh realities in mind when you decide!
1. It Doesn’t Guarantee Real-World Experience
Your typical college professor probably never worked in the industry. Consequently, they may not know what employers are looking for or what skills will benefit you the most in your typical workday. On top of that, professors may not even be aware of what is being worked on in the private sector and may teach you skills and tools that are used exclusively in academia. At its best, the practical scenarios in college are in very controlled environments, which aren’t good barometers of what you’ll encounter later.
With that being said, college is generally very good at forcing you to interact with people of varying opinions and backgrounds, which is great for discovering new ways of thinking and reforming assumptions you may have. Also, if your field calls for it, college is very good at teaching the theory behind concepts and practices – especially since they are often at the forefront of research.
2. Opportunity Cost Vs Expected Return
With high tuition rates college can be hard to justify for numerous careers. It’s important to determine if the career you choose can earn enough to pay back the dozens of thousands you’ll likely pay in pursuit of your degree.
In my opinion, most programs aren’t worth the cost and will never be able to pay for themselves. When it comes to college, learning a viable trade is more important than going to learn about some fringe topic that offers no discernible career path.
Before burying yourself with debt, make sure you have the potential to financially recover at minimum. In my experience STEM programs tend to have particularly high returns, but many other types of degrees can do quite well too.
3. Information Has Never Been Cheaper & College Has Never Been More Expensive
I constantly see people going to college just to learn about something they’re passionate about – even when it won’t lead to a job. If you feel that you’ll only be able to learn in a classroom, then a college course or degree may be well-suited for you. However, in other cases, it would be better to go to the library or scour the internet for the seemingly endless amount of information it has. You can learn just about anything if you have the desire, without paying thousands for a class or a degree.
Do not fool yourself into thinking college is the ONLY way you can learn about something you love, and if doing what you love will make it hard to pay the bills – think before you add a mountain of debt to the pile.
4. You Aren’t Owed Or Guaranteed A Job, Much Less A High-Paying One
Most people assume that after college they’ll get their dream job making an unrealistic amount of money. That simply isn’t the case. While you can get those things, it is the minority of cases, not the majority.
In order to achieve your goals you still need to know how to do the job, put in the effort to out-perform your peers, and be willing to work hard for a long time. Don’t just assume four years at a university will grant you everything you want out of life – that’s still entirely up to you.
Conclusion
The real world requires time management, creative thinking, decision making, and great communication skills on top of a great work ethic. College alone won’t give you those.
If you know what you want and it requires a degree, go for it. Driven individuals will always better themselves and push for their own success, in whatever way that is best for them. A piece of paper will never define you, even if it may open doors. Your own abilities and hard work are what will get you where you want in the end.
Nobody can decide for you, as it’s up to you to make the right call for your own future. You have options, mull them over before you choose one.
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