I’ve been thinking about this topic a lot lately, especially the way the world is now. Is college really necesary or is it overrated?
I know several jobs require degrees, but many companies will choose a person with perhaps more experience and no degree than someone with the degree. And a lot of people, regardless of their educational background, are having rough times finding a job. However, those of us in college and/or graduates (especially minorities) have been pretty much taught that college is a path to a lucrative career and financial stability- it almost seemed like people thought it was a guarantee to the “good life”. I know the amount one makes and all that good stuff depends on your degree type, but even those with advanced or “prestigious” degrees are having a rough time out there.
While many people might say their college experience was a waste, I think my experience was absolutely beneficial. Although I don’t necessarily need a degree to be a successful freelancer, I think my degree in mass communication has helped me immensely in this career. College is where I learned how to be a good reporter/writer, learned what I did and didn’t like to write, and I got a ton of experience. I also chose to pursue a minor in women’s studies, and I took black studies, nonprofit and public speaking classes, which I think gave me a well-rounded educational experience. (Can you tell I love school? lol) My point is college was right for me, but I don’t think it is for everyone. Not necessarily.
For instance, you might be an aspiring model, hair stylist, makeup artist or something that doesn’t require a Bachelor’s degree, and you know within the deepest depths of your soul that your chosen career path is your passion, then no, I don’t think a four-year institution is necessary. I mean, for what? So you can rack up a lot debt your kids will end up having to pay off? Nah…On the other hand, if you have absolutely no clue what you want to do with your life, I think college- or a trade or technical school- can be beneficial in helping you figure out what you want to do. Although I knew I wanted to be a writer or do something dealing with that field, I didn’t figure out I wanted to be a journalist/writer until I was a sophomore in college. And I’m sure college has helped many people figure out what they did (and didn’t) want to do.
So, you may wonder, if I had known I wanted to be a freelancer since I was in high school, would I have gone to college? More than likely, yes, and not just because I’m a nerd, but I had a fabulous educational experience, and college is the place I matured most and it was a place of self-discovery for me.
I’m curious, of course. Do you think having or pursuing a college education is necessary? Do you think it’s overrated?
If you have a degree with no job, have a job unrelated to your field or you don’t make as much money as you thought you would, would you do it all again and get that degree?
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Jamie
I think its a necessay waste of time. By that I mean you will need it to make yourself more marketable. Most employers dont even care what you have a degree as long as you have one. Others perfer the experience but having the degree is icing on the cake [you can ask for more pay]. For me college showed me that I completely hate my major and that i should’ve done Real Estate or Business. Luckily for me CIS is a business based major so I can go back and easily get my Masters in Business if I’d like. I doubt I will though. BTW I should have my degree by May or Aug. 2010 so cross your fingers for me and finding a job.
OK, I know I’m not a “colored gurl” (a nerdy white guy, in fact), but I found your blog through WordPress’s home page. (Congrats on being featured, btw!)
As a writer myself, I agree with you completely that college helped me find what I wanted to write for a living. I was writing a column for my local paper when I was in high school, so I chose journalism as my major as soon as I started college. I stuck with it all four years and don’t regret it one bit. I found out I enjoy feature writing much more than I do writing “inverted pyramid style” hard news. Today, I’m a marketing writer, which I love, because it allows me more creative freedom.
Am I glad I went to college? Yes. Do I think it should have taken me four years? No.
I’m all for becoming a “well-rounded” individual, but in all honesty, I think that’s the university’s excuse for wanting more money out of their students. I feel like I would have been prepared for this job field with just a year or two of higher ed.
College was a great time for me to learn a lot of things inside and outside of the classroom. It’s not for everyone, though.
For me college was a personal goal and I did see it as a way to live the good life, but then when it did not turn out like I thougt, I was a bit disappointed. Still, to this day I see my graduating college as a huge blessing and I think that college really develops you as a person. I don’t think that I would be who I am had I not gone. There is just so much diversity and self discovery and it helps you learn what you want to do and what you don’t. I would not say education is overrated, but I do think that nowadays everyone or lots of people have a degree so it is almost like “okay, what else do you have?” Nevertheless, where I work, people do think a degree is a quite a bit major when you are talking to some of them and you can only reach a certain level without one so I def think that it helps you in some way to have one.