As children, many of us were told how important a college education is. A degree would help us to obtain an excellent career in any field we choose. It would also guarantee that we will receive the highest pay in that field.
However, is that always the case? I’ve heard of many people who study for years and years, only to owe thousands of dollars and still only earn average pay. Many of them don’t even go into the fields in which they’ve earned a degree for. Instead, they find that they’d prefer working in a different field entirely.
On the other hand, I’ve heard from others and experienced for myself, that without a degree a person can be highly successful both in title and in income. In my previous job, I started from the ground up. Perhaps even below that.
I had no clue what I was doing at the beginning, having never desired that career before. However before long, the career took off and possibilities of growth were constantly being thrown in my direction. Within just a few short years, my income had greatly increased to a level higher than many of my co-workers, who had gone to college specifically for that field of work. I’m not bragging, just trying to make a point.
So that brings me back to the question of whether or not college is always necessary. With the exception of those in the medical field, justice system, etc., I don’t believe it is.
A person excels in a career because of their work ethic, their ability to do their job to the greatest of standards, and their determination to elevate to a higher position.
Of course a person with a degree can do the same. They can put their degree to work, or they can stay idle and go nowhere. Success is up to every individual, with or without a degree.
What do you think? Is college always necessary?
This post is part of Stream of Consciousness Saturday, hosted by LindaGHill.
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Sometimes a college degree opens doors that might not otherwise be open. However, a college degree is no guarantee of success and success can come to those who don’t have degrees. Good post.
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That is true. Sometimes a college degree may be necessary. Agreed, success is certainly dependent on the individual. Thanks!
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No. I do not think college is necessary for some people and nor beneficial. Apparently, it wasn’t necessary for Zuckerberg. And this is what I am contemplating for graduate school. Is it really necessary? I don’t want to rack up debt for nothing. Great post.
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He’s an excellent example. I think the choice really is based on what each person is seeking and whether or not they need that in order to get in the door of their choosing.
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Agreed.
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I agree, but still think that some college is necessary. College is where you learn to stretch your wings to see what you are capable of. It gives you a basis to work from. I have two Associates degrees (not bragging, just illustrating) that only helped me get my foot into the door. It still took my hard work and perseverance to make me successful. I did not earn large wages either. The myth of going to college to earn great sums of money is over. I was once told by an employer that he valued the fact that I went to school and stuck with it by graduating, more than what my degree was in. Just my thoughts 🙂 ❤
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That’s great about your degrees. There is certainly nothing wrong with that. I’m definitely not trying to discourage people from going to college. There are many benefits to be had from going. As your employer said, going to college and staying till the end says a lot about a person’s character. Thank you for your comment!
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No I understood you were not trying to discourage anyone from going to college. I agree. We used to have more technical certificated jobs like welders, etc. Even secretarial. Now everything is too technical. We live in tough times for our young people to get jobs that they can survive in paying their own way. You did a great job on your post ❤
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You are right about that. We do live in tough times. There’s a lot of competition out there, but sadly many jobs pay the minimum they can get away with, and hire the least workers possible. Thank you! I do appreciate it.
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Hmmm…good post and good question. I have a degree but my job doesn’t correspond to it. I think the experience of going to college was valuable, however. It’s a good place to learn to be an adult, whether or not the “degree” itself changes anything like your future income or job prospects is another thing altogether!
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That is true. It is great for maturing and growth not only from an education standpoint, but also as a person in general.
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Formal education is not for everyone. Some people do not do well in school the way it operates at the present time. Often school is designed to teach to a certain type of learner and thinker. And nowadays it does not guarantee a good job or success. But, on the other hand, I have heard there are barriers as well when you do not have a degree. So I do not like to say to someone do not worry about not having the degree. I am glad you have been able to find success without the degree.
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Excellent points. Finding the right school for a person’s individual needs is very important for success. College can greatly improve the chances for some to get jobs where they otherwise would not have the chance. It certainly depends on the needs and desires of the person, and their ability to succeed in a specific career with vs without a degree. I would never discourage people from attending college. I think it would be a great benefit for most people for growth alone. Sometimes I wish that I had gone just for the experience.
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It depends, I suppose, on who is hiring. Some companies insist on it where others will let it slide depending on experience. Then there are companies who allow their employees to shift into jobs that would require a degree from an outsider, not already working there.
It’s a tough decision to make, investing in an education. Great post!
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That is true. Companies do differ and the management oftentimes makes the call on their own. I suppose much of it is all about the timing, the person and the opportunity at hand. Either way, it can definitely be a tough decision to make. Thanks!
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Going to college gave me confidence and time to grow up. I’m glad I got a degree that’s required for the job I’ve done for many years. My husband doesn’t have a college degree and he’s way smarter than me at practical things as well as being great in math and crossword puzzles, and he’s the first man I’ve ever been in a relationship with who can spell better than me. He probably has a really high I Q, Unfortunately, in spite of 35 years with one company who retired him, some doors are closed to him due to his lack of college degree. Fortunately, he’s smart enough to figure out a way to develop a fulfilling second career.
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You make great points here. First, I can definitely see how and agree with you, that college would provide time for a person to grow, learn responsibility and learn more about themselves. It is wonderful that you were able to put your degree to work for you and that you stayed with the career of your choosing. As for your husband, that must have been very difficult for him after so many years, but as you said, thankfully he’s got the smarts and the determination to not allow those barriers to hold him back. I believe that many times the determination of a person is what an employer looks at just as much as they do a degree, if not sometimes even more so.
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College can open doors in some cases – but I do not think it is always necessary. I did not go to college but chose to go through a specific 6 month program in the field I was working in when I was in my early 20’s. It opened the door for me to get a better job, but now 30 years later I am no longer in that field anyway. My volunteer work 3 years ago led me into my job as an assistant teacher, but without a degree I know I would never be able to move up to being a co teacher or teacher.
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Sometimes that’s all that’s needed – a direct course to a specific degree and it’s great when that opportunity is available. I can certainly see why in the educational field, having a degree is so important. I don’t think I would want someone to be my teacher if they hadn’t had at least a little bit of college (or higher education) under their belt.
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I don’t know that you “have” to go to college, but what I do think is that college may start you off on a higher plane than you’d be able to start on without a degree thereby eliminating alot of the “crawling” up out of the trenches some of us have to do…..
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That is an excellent point. Having made that climb from the bottom myself, I can certainly see where college would give someone the extra boost they need, perhaps saving a lot of time and challenges in the process. College definitely has its benefits.
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College can put people into debt for their entire lives. People who do not hire those without degrees, often miss having the most talented and creative people on their staffs. I do think that college is beneficial, but many, perhaps even most kids just go there to party. That certainly seems to be all they talk and care about. I have a Master’s Degree, so I’m not bashing Universities, but the meaning of college and degrees seems to have lost something along the way. Each person has something to offer, regardless of their degree status and I think it’s a mistake to think otherwise. I also believe that if a country wants to have intelligent and educated citizens, colleges should be free. That’s why college is so expensive in the US.
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That’s very much how I feel about it too. College has its benefits, but along with those are also many drawbacks. All that debt can and usually takes many, many years to pay off. It’s even worse when the person ends up going into a completely different field, not even using the degree they worked and are still paying for. Now of course, if they use it then that’s terrific! Good for them and for you for earning a Master’s degree. That is quite an accomplishment, never to be taken lightly.
As far as partying, I agree completely. Most kids speak of parties when they talk about their college life or why they want to go. If they are going to go to college, if we are going to have those types of learning institutions, then the ‘popular’ ideals that define today’s college setting needs to change.
As far as free college – that would be great! With it, there would need to be some very strict rules on what is and what is not allowed of students. Great points you brought up. Thank you!
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Not sure on this one. My husband has been working in the Supply Chain business for 30 years? He made it from box stacking to fork lift driving – to a Director of a portion of a part of a mega US corporation. He doesn’t have a degree. However, if he applies elsewhere, he is told that his qualification don’t meet their needs. Yes, there may be a twenty something right our of college with a Logistics degree, but that piece of paper doesn’t compare to all the experience he has attained.
However, I’m finding my kids are wanting to go to college to reach better paying jobs. They’ve had it pounded in their heads since grade school–and it wasn’t by us. All we have asked is that they choose the path they want and hope they find joy.
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Those are some great steps toward success that your husband has made. I suppose I somewhat understand why an employer would prefer someone with a degree, but if I were an employer I think that experience would outweigh that degree. A degree doesn’t prove work ability.
That’s great about your kids. If it helps them to better succeed and to grow, then that’s wonderful. I’m with you though, I just my son to happy with whatever he does, college or not.
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