A news article in Newsweek caught our attention and we wanted to ask our community the same question. Is college a good investment TODAY? Tuition is increasing every semester/year and a graduate may not be guaranteed a good job. So what do you think? Is it absolutely necessary to go to college today?
Article: http://www.thedailybeast.com/newsweek/2012/09/09/megan-mcardle-on-the-coming-burst-of-the-college-bubble.html
jessie
Favorite Answer
It has never been a neccessity, however if you want to be successful and not work two minimum wage jobs, or farm, you go to college.
Rahayu
College has never been a necessity. But when I look into job advertisements, do you know what I usually see? "Applicants should possess a degree/diploma...".
Everybody wants a good stable job with a decent income. The problem is, not everybody is willing to do the lower-paying or should I say, 'dirty' jobs. Why? Because the pay sucks! It's as simple as that.
From the way I see it, there are only two answers to this question.
1) If you have a specific career in mind that you have interest in and you think you can do well in it, by all means go ahead. Financial aid these days are plentiful. However, this statement is arguable too.
2) If you are not sure about your future career, don't have the money to invest, but have a specific talent that don't require a college education, by all means, don't waste your time!
Bill Gates was a dropout but he had a flair for computer technology. He's successful.
Lee Kuan Yew is a Harvard Law graduate, he serves as a minister now earning millions. He's also successful.
So college or no college, it really depends on what you think you can do and which field you think you can make the most money out of. Think before you invest. Think very very carefully...
Anonymous
Newsweek was just scaring people, but they do have a few good points.
Go to school for a degree that has a good chance of getting you a job, studying something like zombies in college isn't even remotely going to help you do anything other than gain debt, while degrees in engineering, technologies, sciences and other quickly growing fields you are almost guaranteed to get a far better paying job than otherwise available.
Don't waste money, sometimes the Ivy League isn't the way to go, you can, minus a few connections, get the same, or sometimes even better education at a much cheaper school. Also don't waste money on frivolous things you won't need, just buy what you need to get through school.
However, if you have a successful business you don't have to go to college, or if you work in a trade you won't, but if you don't fit either of those categories college is probably the better way to go for a degree that you have a high chance of a job.
Hey_Its_Sara
Coming from someone who just graduated college this past May here is my perspective on it - I wish I had waited to attend college and spent my first 2-3 years or so working in an office setting. I'm finding that a lot of businesses want college graduates to have experience but how exactly are we supposed to get that experience if we are in college?? Sure, internships help and I did my fair share but even so many companies are looking for those with more experience then just internships.
Another thing I've noticed which may just be the times is that ALL of my friends who graduated from a 2 year institution first of all saved a ton of money and are not in debut and second have all found jobs in their specific fields. ALL of my friends or a large majority of my friends who went to 4 year schools & graduated before I did are actually returning to trade schools/ 2 year institutions because they cannot afford a masters degree due to the amount of debut they are in.
College changes a person you learn who you are and you learn how to grow. I think that is essential to all young adults to be out on their own and learn about the "real world"
Me personally, I'm still unemployed and until I find a good job I will as many other recent graduates do that my money was wasted and that really all I've gotten so far is a piece of paper. Eventually when I find a nice paying job I may learn to appreciate my degree more.
If I could do it all over again I likely would have went to a 2 year institution first. I don't feel college is a good investment at this time unless you have a VERY specific field you are planning to study like nursing.
Ashish
If you want to be a Doctor Surgeon, an Engineer or a Lawyer then you need a full fledged career. Get to a college in that field and start the path to your dreams and adventures. College is not for everyone. It depends on how mature you are, how you think and handle different situations and of course money. I do recommend that you get advice from people with experience who have been there to help you on your career.
The best of course is to start early, like volunteering while you're still in high school and taking AP classes. Also if you can find a part time on summer days it will make it a lot more easier because you will get experience and accountability to show for time management. It is a great effort but the pay off is enormous.