How Necessary is a College Education?

Today, more and more students are feeling the pressure to do well in school so they can continue their education in college. They’re constantly told that their future is dependent on doing well, as with a college degree they can get a good job and do well in later life. However, is this true for today’s students? This essay looks to find out whether they’d be better off going straight into work instead.

No one can deny that going to college is a valuable experience. Putting academic studies aside, it teaches students a huge amount about living alone for the first time, in a safe setting. For example, a student needs to learn how to stay within a budget, live with people other than their family, and manage their time effectively. There’s no better time to learn this than while in college, while mistakes can be made safely.

There’s also no argument that some careers need people to attend college first. Doctors and teachers, for example, need to attend college to gain the knowledge they’ll need to carry out their every day roles. College also offers the chance to go out and practice working in those roles. That means students have relevant experience to put on their resumes when they come to apply for jobs.

However, it’s not hard to see why some prospective students are turning away from the college experience. The biggest and most worrying problem is that of cost. College is prohibitively expensive for a lot of otherwise promising students. The cost of the education itself is steep enough, but there are other costs too. The costs of accommodation, food and other necessities for living mean that it just isn’t possible to attend college. Some students can take on jobs as they study to pay their way through, but it’s not possible for everyone.

It’s also becoming the case that college degrees are becoming less valuable out in the real world. Thanks to years of schools encouraging students to go on to college, there’s a glut of working people now who all have degrees. A hirer that’s looking through applications won’t be able to pick out a candidate based on their degree alone anymore. It’s more likely that they’re looking for life experiences, or concrete examples that the applicant has the skills they’re looking for.

It seems that college is still a valuable experience for anyone who attends, but for different reasons in today’s age. The experience of living away from home is crucial for many students. However, it may be more beneficial to go out into the working world rather than getting a degree, as they may be able to progress faster in their chosen field.