Article Written by Mikaiyah Anderson
How necessary is a college education? Many people are starting to question whether college is really worth the money or the time. According to Institute for College Access & Success, students who have graduated from public and nonprofit colleges in 2013 had an average of 28,400 dollars in student loan debt per borrower.
Student loan debt is just one of the many reasons some people choose not go to college. Others do not need a degree for the career they want, or they need to start work immediately. If a student has absolutely no idea what he or she wants to do in life, college can be a big waste of money. However, there are still a lot of positives to attending any college.
One good reason is that a person could make more money. Be honest here, most of us want to make money, and making more money is often a good thing. According to Simply Hired, the main average salary for a college graduate is 46,000 dollars, but the average for those with a high school diploma is 32,000 dollars. Obviously, having more money is often a plus, and although colleges can be expensive, many people feel that having debt is more reasonable if it leads to a better paying job.
Many jobs require a college degree. An individual can very well start a company and work his or her way up, and the person may be able to achieve the career of his dreams; however, many high-level jobs require at least an associate's degree. Even if one is able to move up in the company, some jobs will still be just out of one's reach without a degree. Depending on this position, a student may be required to obtain a degree even if the experience far surpasses workers coming in with a degree.
Anyone can gain valuable work skills. College is often what a person makes of it. While some colleges are better known and more prestigious than others, individuals can gain a valuable education at most schools if the work is put into it. If the college student tries to attend class regularly and chooses classes that will challenge him or her, that individual will get more from school. Focus on classes that will help develop skills that would help in one's field. It is also important to get an internship, if that is possible. Internships will really help gain technical experience, build a resume, allow a network, and potentially show whether or not the major is the right choice.
College is a new experience. While a person should not pay thousands of dollars simply to have an experience and meet new people, the exploratory aspect of college is very important. Not only will a student hopefully determine whether or not the intended career is the right fit, but he or she will learn to interact with people. When a graduate gets out into the work world, that individual will need to deal with many different personalities, and college is a great time to start practicing!
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