In today’s society not going to
college seems to automatically classifies you as a “looser” or a low life. Growing
up I thought I needed to go to college, but I started to open my mind. I
started to see the debt college will put you in, and the scarcity of jobs. Going
to college isn’t as prestigious and honorable as it once was, and it no longer
guarantees you a job after graduation.
The average national debt of the
graduating class of 2013 is $32,000, which is more than the average family
income in Myrtle Beach. Student loans are the only type of debt that will stay
with you even after you file bankruptcy, and have just topped the charts for
the largest in history. Many of these graduates will be forced to work a job
that does not even require a degree because they can’t find a career specified
for their degree. The value of a degree has drastically decreased in the past
years with the large number of graduates, the scarcity of jobs have also gotten
smaller. Many post graduates are finding it very difficult to find a job with
their degree. Some are forced to pick up a serving job or a job at the local
movie theatre. Some are even going back to college to get a different degree. Most graduates are also surprised when they
get there first job that they aren’t making the type of money they were hoping
to make.
Growing up I always had the dream of
going to college. It seemed everyone had that plan, regardless of not having a
major or job in mind. Now here I am in my freshman year at Horry Georgetown
Technical College and I honestly have no idea what I want to do when I
graduate. I have procrastinated my whole life of what I wanted to do when I
grow up, which is a mistake that many college students have made. They make a
last minute decision of their major, and after their first year decide to
switch majors. This can require you to spend more semesters in college which is
really expensive, and consider you took a course you didn’t really have to take
for your new major. Switching majors is something that will always happen, as
some people realize that field isn’t what they were expecting. Some will just
have a change in heart and want to change their path. Before you choose your
starting major, or your new major you should really do your research and make
sure that it is the right one for you. Changing majors is not a bad thing, but
it should be taken very seriously and should have a lot of thought put into it
before your final decision.
There are some jobs out there that
pay better than careers that require a degree. With the success that people
have made without a college degree is tempting, are the chances worth it? Mark
Zuckerberg, Bill Gates, Rachael Ray and even Walt Disney have found their way
to success without college. Chances are slim to none to become as famous and
successful as these superstars but they are a prime example it can be done, and
these types of stories of college dropouts give college students temptation to
follow their paths. There is hope however to reach some level of success
without college, with jobs like being a Realtor, Electrician, Plumber, or a
fire fighter. There are jobs out there
that do not require a degree and still pay fairly well.
College is a serious time in your
life; you should make wise decisions whether you’re choosing your major, or
deciding whether to go to a party or study all night, remember you’re paying
thousands of dollars for your education. Make sure you plan ahead because
thousands of graduates are left unemployed even after the tens of thousands of
dollars they have spent for their degree. College isn’t what it once was, where
you get a job right after graduation, so I suggest you having a back-up plan
for your back-up plan.
http://www.bls.gov/emp/ep_chart_001.htm
http://lifehacker.com/is-college-really-necessary-for-a-good-job-1078213262
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2012-04-09/why-college-isnt-for-everyone
