Is university degree really necessary?
Hello,
I've been wondering since I started university if it's vital for our life in the future or not. For example for me neither I finish or not I'm still getting a job because I have experience as car mechanic. I remember before starting 3 workshops wanted me to join their company (not boasting). I mean I felt so amazing to hear that and even in the thoughts. But I rejected all of them because of university. My question is if it is really worth the time. I'm halfway my second year and to be honest I had the greatest time of my life by going out with friends, having good times and making long lasting memories that I still now think of, going for cycling and hiking and the best part returning back to your own home. It's a great experience if you are good financially. However, I'm a mediocre student. I'm afraid of the time. We're talking about 4 years. I could work instead and make money and gain even more experience. To sum up, it is worth? What's your opinion upon your experience and thoughts?
Thank you!
PS: I study Aircraft Engineering and live in the EU. Since most people are from USA I want to inform you that colleges don't have tuitions. They are free in Greece and some other countries in the EU. I only pay for rents, food and commuting. Also, it's a major I don't like so much. I pursue it for its salary only.
#university #college #degree #career #college-advice #job
7 answers
Cindie’s Answer
One of the things I've always stressed to my daughter as she was growing up about education is the purposes of of education. My lecture was often followed by her proclamation, "Why do I study worthless subjects that I will never use in my work life?" I would explain that a formal education is about far more than the content that you are learning. About half the content you study, generally will not be used in or referred to in your work life.
So what is education about? It's about:
1. learning how to learn
2. learning how to think
3. learning how to discipline yourself to do stuff that you don't really want to do and
4. learning how to suffer.
In the US, public schools in general, unfortunately, do a poor job of teaching our kids these tenets which is a sad commentary for the use of the American taxpayer's money. It's not until kids go to college that they get an inkling of what the real world will be about. You need to constantly be learning. It does not end with high school or college. You need to be thinking about how you think. Do you know how to discern opinion from fact? Do you adopt others opinions as fact or do you come up with your own opinion and reasons for your opinion. College requires you to go above and beyond what is "required." In college, you're asked to take subjects and do projects that you really don't want to take, but you do it anyway because you know it will reap a reward. You learn discipline. And lastly, you learn how to suffer in college. It's tough...or at least it should be tough to get the grades you need or want to be competitive. You're going to suffer tough professors, relationship disappointments, how to make ends meet, etc. Life is full of suffering...more for some than others...but you never know what you'll be faced with so learning how to suffer, knowing that today's sufferings, though tough, will pass. College gives you additional time to learn all of these skills.
Now, with that said, even though you may pursue a profession or trade that, on the face of it, does not require a college degree, you never know when you might be in a position where a college degree would benefit you. For example, you may decide to purchase a garage and to eventually expand the services that the garage offers. In fact, you may be so successful, that you'll want to open other garages and eventually franchise the garages. You'll need to understand how to acquire capital and when, how to put together an effective human resources plan so that you'll attract and keep employees, how to manage the business' finances, and so on. If you take the time to garner education now, rather than later, you'll be more valuable to your employer, which could speed you along to owning your own enterprise one day. And trust me, it's a lot easier to go to school when you're young and don't have significant responsibilities (e.g. house/car payments, kids, etc.).
Another reason to get your college degree is that it makes you more valuable in the market. If/when you have to go look for a job, the person making the hiring decision will compare resumes. For the reasons I mentioned above, of the 2 candidates who are generally equal in experience, the hiring manager will hire the one with the college degree.
Lastly, one day you will have kids. It may be in your kids' best interest to go to college. As a parent, you'll be able to attest to the benefits, both tangible and intangible, for going to college, and that when they are struggling, you'll be able to attest too that if you could do it, they can do it too.
I hope you will consider staying in college. I think you will look back on it and consider it a good decision.
"Success depends upon previous preparation, and without such preparation there is sure to be failure." --Confucius
All the best,
Cindie
Aaron’s Answer
These days though, a college degree just may not be as important, but that certainly depends on your vocation. There are some things that a degree is a must and some that are not. Just remember though, knowledge is power. The more you know the better off you can be! Good luck!
Richard’s Answer
However in certain circumstances it is better to attend a trade school. If you know what you want to do and it doesn't require a college degree, then it doesn't make sense to go in to debt and pay for an expensive
Alecia’s Answer
Having a four year degree is absolutely crucial.
You have the rest of your life for travel and time with friends - BUT you need to be able to PAY for it, and that is what a four year degree will help with.
Sakina’s Answer
Estelle’s Answer
Michele’s Answer
Yes, you should go forward and graduate!
I know 4 years look "too much time" and it is hard to complete it, but I can tell you that it is much better you do it now, when you are young. I am not sure if you intend to marry some day, have kids, but it will be so much hard for you to complete a college with a family.
The idea " I could work instead and make money and gain even more experience" is good, but you will have a lot of years to work, make money and experience after college. You will have so many opportunities after graduation, you will learn a lot of good things there.
Maybe, today, on your area, college is not so much important, but you don't know in the future. Here in my company, there are a lot of people who preferred work instead of study, and now they can not be promoted because they do not have graduation and it is a pre-requiremment to get promotion.