“Associated Press analysis of 2011 graduates found that 54 percent were unemployed and many who were employed worked on jobs unrelated to their college studies.” college is not always able to provide a stable foundation yet many believe that it is a necessity (London 362). High school students and young adults are pressured by society into attending college due to the close minded belief of thinking college is the only option in life that leads to success. There is evidence of many ways that college can actually set people back on life because of debt from tuition and loans, as well as other effects from college can cripple adults throughout the rest of their lives. College is not meant for every person and it does not always lead to success …show more content…
A major issue is money, a lack of money can set graduates back in life and make them unable to provide certain things in life, such as a house or a car. Those who took out a student loan are less likely to own their own house by the time they are 30, these setbacks in life are due to the high price of tuition and loans taken out to pay for said tuition. Tuition price is not an issue just for the individual to meet but also his or her family. If families do not start putting money into a college fund for their child several years in advance then the likelihood of that child going to college is far lower than a child with years of savings. Along with financial problems, there are also serious health issues that can come with college and post college, most commonly stress. “40.2% of college students felt ‘frequently overwhelmed’ in a 2012 survey.” stress among young adults can lead to more serious health issues such as anxiety, depression, or other mental illnesses (ProCon.org). Employers are expecting that when they hire graduates they have the information from college ready to be put to use in the field however, students are less likely to retain information due to high stress and anxiety of performing well. While all those and more factors prove why college is a poor choice for many, there are some benefits that should be …show more content…
Students who go directly into the workforce have more work experience as well as more ties to companies and contacts that can be used to propel themselves into higher roles in the companies they work in. College graduates have to pay off a lifetime of loans and tuition which set them back in making major purchases. Colleges also do not provide real world experiences like a job does. Employers will look to see if a candidate has been a reliable worker because that is often more valuable to them then a degree. There seems to be strong evidence to believe that college is valuable but when accurate research is done there is more than what society has pressured us to believe.“There is no such thing as a typical curriculum at an American postsecondary school...In many cases they provides remedial education to fill in the knowledge gaps left by high school. Nor is it easy to speak of the needs of the typical student.” college may be the option for many high school graduates but do not let society force the idea that it is the only option(Casses
As the economy evolves and the job market continues to get more competitive, it’s becoming harder to have a successful career without some kind of college degree. This creates a belief in many young students that college actually is a commodity, something they must have in order to have a good life. There’s many different factors that influence this mindset, high schools must push the importance of the student’s willingness and drive to further their education. College isn’t just a gateway to jobs, but it is an opportunity to increase knowledge and stretch and challenge the student which in return makes them a more rounded adult and provides them with skills they might lack prior to
Is college worth it? This is a topic that has been heavily debated for years, and years to come. The late nights, stressful debts, and long papers due- not accepted a second late; does that make up for the amazing memories, high paying jobs, and social connections? Absolutely. The experience college can give is remarkable. College is a valuable experience because individuals who attend will have a lower chance of being unemployed, will be in better health, and paying off debts will be possible!
Society pushes the ideals of college on to the upcoming generations without taking into account the cost and return. Students neglect to look into apprenticeships, vocational courses, and other forms of skill-based training because of the pressure to attend college. Owen and Sawhill delve deeply into the widespread societal assumption that higher education is the optimal path for all individuals. The essay scrutinizes the notion that college is a one-size-fits-all solution to career and economic success, highlighting the consequences of this mindset on individuals and society as a whole. Moreover, Owen and Sawhill's discussion about the importance of considering alternative educational pathways, encouraged me to broaden my perspective on what makes a valuable and fulfilling educational experience.
College is the place where people go to retain the necessary training for a job that requires specific skills, which results in earning a higher pay check. In today’s world, employers are scouting out for individuals with the proper dexterities to fill the shoes for that specific job. Blanche D. Blank, the author of “A Question of Degree," argues that possessing a degree of higher education isn’t the only way to have a very successful life. This statement is highly argumentative, due to the fact that college graduates still out-earn people without degrees. Obtaining a college degree is one of the best things someone can do for themselves, when it comes to looking for a stable job. There is also so much more to college than just receiving a
Society instills today's youth with that without a college education they will not be successful. But then again what defines success? Success is a wide-ranging term that has different meanings to different people. Some people believe that making money defines success, while others believe that success is having a loving family. Still, society seems to demonstrate and even promote that success is portrayed by making money. The general public states that in order to be a successful person one must make a heavy salary out of college. The problem with this philosophy is that some people are not meant for college. In Bird's article, she writes that college is not been effective for everyone. Half of all high school graduates attend college and the pattern of dropouts is becoming more and more obvious showing that some students don't fit the mold (305).
Since I grew up in a household with two parents who are college graduates, and even two grandparents who had graduated from college, the idea of attending college was never seen as a unique opportunity, but rather as a necessary part of my future. I’m not going to complain about growing up with parents who valued the pursuit of knowledge, but it certainly never exposed me to the mindset that maybe college is not the best option for everyone after high school. Today, there is a huge debate over if the price of college is really worth it in the end, with the high cost of tuition and the number of people who just aren’t prepared for the demands that college has to offer. And on the other side, some say that college is a necessity not just in one’s
In Caroline Bird’s “College is A Waste of Time and Money”, it’s argued that there are many college students who would be better off if they were to begin working after high school graduation. Colleges and universities can no longer ensure that one will go on to get a better job, getting paid more than they would have without a higher education. However, high school seniors still stress about where they will be attending college, how they’re going to pay for it and what they’re going to study for the next four years. Bird points out how college has changed over the past few decades and how, in turn, it has set many young adults up for disappointment, if nothing else.
During high school, whether it is by a teacher, parent or classmate a student will be advised to go to college. “College is where you find yourself,” they will say. College is made to seem as the place where students will attain a brilliant education, thus making them feel as though once they are done with the schooling, a dependable job of high pay will appear for them. In our society, college is not a scarce option, but rather, an expectation. For many graduating high schoolers, college is the next step. Attaining a college degree is not necessary for creating a life for us as our civilization makes it out to be.
A great deal of people would say that earning a college degree is the most essential measure if life because it is what we would call part of the “American Dream.” We think of our future as going to school, getting into college, receiving a degree, finding a job, buying a house, and raising a family with our loved one. However, for most it’s not that simple. With so many dissenting opinions, some people question if they would even benefit from the value of having a college education. Yet the real question is: Is a college education worth it?
When young adults complete high school they’re encouraged to enroll in a higher education program. With the constant talks of soaring tuition costs, in addition to the massive student loan debt, taking this step can be worrisome. Reyna Gobel, a journalist on financing college education and repaying student debt, states. “It’s easy to stop believing that a college education is worth it when the nation has over a trillion dollars in debt, but college graduates still earn more over a lifetime than those without a degree. Plus, they’re more employable.” More than three-quarters of all college graduates agree that higher education is indeed still worth the cost. Additional education in a field you’re passionate towards
After finishing college you can be ahead of your colleagues. Your qualification will determine your position in the company you work in, also will increase your anual salary. “College graduates earn more, and are more likely to have a job in the first place” (Rotherham 79). Unemployment is a serious issue in the U.S. This topic is brought countless amount of times. Unemployment rates for people with college degrees are far less than a person with only a high school diploma. Also the chances of someone getting laid off is also far less likely versus someone with a high school diploma. In the article “Why college isnt for everyone” by Richard Vedder the author mentions “A person who compares the annual earning of college and high school graduates would no doubt conclude that higher education is a good investment” (Vedder
A college education has been linked to the American Dream. The American Dream consists of accomplishing dreams and success in the United States. Society has established an emphasis that a college degree will lead to economic and social happiness, but it is important to take a step back and realize that a college degree is not the only way to achieve success and accomplish the American Dream. This socially constructed norm has considered students as disappointments when they choose to not pursue or realized that a college path is not for them. Even though a college education is believed by all as an essential part to an individual’s success, it is not entirely the path to everyone’s success. There are going to be students who are not going to want or be able to pursue a college education, and for those, instead of labeling as automatic failures, there needs to be promoting of alternative routes. A college education is a privilege not a necessity, it will not determine if a person success or failure.
Everyone wants to better themselves in life…right? No one wants to graduate high school and be stuck living with their parents or only make minimal wage. There are plenty of ways to have a better life, one in which is attending college. If a person attends college, they have a more likely chance of making more money, being more successful, and securing their future financially. Going to college not only leaves someone with better opportunities but it can instill in a person responsibilities, persistency and work ethic. All of these things are important unless a person is born into a rich family and are automatically given a job, the rest of civilization has to work and that is where college comes into play.
In today’s society, the idea of receiving a college education has been pondered quite a bit as to whether or not it is actually worth it. According to Michelle Adam, many people “…today believe that getting a good education is key to success in our society, this revealed surprising issues that challenge the notion of higher education being worth its price tag” (59). Naturally, many high school graduates apply for college right before or after graduation. Others decide to go into the work force, armed forces, or simply remain unemployed. The question that many people debate about is, is a college education worth it in the long run? Though some people believe a college education will benefit ones’ career, others believe it will cause a mass of debt and loans for college students and graduates, and postpone life events.
By attending college, students guarantees themselves a better job that the average Joe. Because the world is changing rapidly, and many jobs rely on new technology, more jobs require education beyond high school. With a college education, an individual will have more jobs from which to choose. In addition to obtaining a better job, people who go to college usually earn more money than those who do not. College furnishes you with proper credentials and documents to land high-level jobs. Figures from an A&E television program on ‘The Working Class’ show that in 2004 the average earnings were $23,895 for a high school graduate and $41,478 for individuals with a bachelor’s degree. Getting a college education is simply a stepping stone in ensuring yourself with a good start in life. Some may agree that college students are open minded and knows exactly how to expre...