12 answers
Milan
Student
Elk River, Minnesota
4
Questions
Asked
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Do you think college is important to go to If so, why?
I am a sophomore in high school and I'm trying to figure out if it would really benefit me to go to college.
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12 answers
Kyle Kim
Consulting
1
Answer
New York, New York
Updated
Kyle’s Answer
Like others have said, it really depends.
You can think of jobs in general in three categories: 1) college necessary, 2) college helpful, 3) college unnecessary
For (1), think of jobs like medicine, lawyer, professor, etc. where the job specifically requires college-level or higher education. If these are your interests, you have to go to college even if you have to incur debt.
For (2), think of a lot of corporate jobs. You can "technically" get a lot of jobs assuming you have qualifications, but more often than not, those qualifications are assumed by your education and you'll face significantly uphill battle in getting the job / progressing in your career without a degree. I'd still recommend going to college for these jobs.
For (3), and if you know you want (3), I think skipping college could be fine.
You can think of jobs in general in three categories: 1) college necessary, 2) college helpful, 3) college unnecessary
For (1), think of jobs like medicine, lawyer, professor, etc. where the job specifically requires college-level or higher education. If these are your interests, you have to go to college even if you have to incur debt.
For (2), think of a lot of corporate jobs. You can "technically" get a lot of jobs assuming you have qualifications, but more often than not, those qualifications are assumed by your education and you'll face significantly uphill battle in getting the job / progressing in your career without a degree. I'd still recommend going to college for these jobs.
For (3), and if you know you want (3), I think skipping college could be fine.
Ezra Jackson
Security
81
Answers
Washington, Washington
Updated
Ezra’s Answer
Greetings,
The significance of college education is subjective and depends on your personal aspirations. It's entirely possible to attend college, indulge in parties, resort to dishonest means, and just scrape through your classes. Alternatively, you can choose to actively engage in your studies and utilize the knowledge gained to further your career. In the contemporary era, having a college degree has become a common prerequisite for many job roles. However, while it's certainly important, it's equally crucial not to overlook the value of practical work experience.
The significance of college education is subjective and depends on your personal aspirations. It's entirely possible to attend college, indulge in parties, resort to dishonest means, and just scrape through your classes. Alternatively, you can choose to actively engage in your studies and utilize the knowledge gained to further your career. In the contemporary era, having a college degree has become a common prerequisite for many job roles. However, while it's certainly important, it's equally crucial not to overlook the value of practical work experience.
Megan McCoy
Career Coach
162
Answers
Lakeland, Florida
Updated
Megan’s Answer
Hi Milan,
I do think college is important to go to- the unfortunate part is it costs money to go. I think continuing your education is always a good thing, but not if it costs too much money. If you can go to college on scholarships and not take on student loan debt I highly recommend going. If money is a concern, I would be more cautious with what your 'purpose' of going to college is. You want to make sure that the career you want from going to college does not cost more than your starting salary.
Why go to college:
- It gives you time to grow up- get out of your home, your comfort, and learn to do things on your own.
- You meet new people- from different backgrounds, cultures, interests, etc.
-There are some things you can do only while in college- studying abroad, internships, clubs and organizations, alternative breaks, etc.
- Open your mind- continue to learn about issues in the world and the way you see the world
-Exploring- more time to figure out who you are, what you like and what job you want
I hope this helps!
I do think college is important to go to- the unfortunate part is it costs money to go. I think continuing your education is always a good thing, but not if it costs too much money. If you can go to college on scholarships and not take on student loan debt I highly recommend going. If money is a concern, I would be more cautious with what your 'purpose' of going to college is. You want to make sure that the career you want from going to college does not cost more than your starting salary.
Why go to college:
- It gives you time to grow up- get out of your home, your comfort, and learn to do things on your own.
- You meet new people- from different backgrounds, cultures, interests, etc.
-There are some things you can do only while in college- studying abroad, internships, clubs and organizations, alternative breaks, etc.
- Open your mind- continue to learn about issues in the world and the way you see the world
-Exploring- more time to figure out who you are, what you like and what job you want
I hope this helps!
Tom Clement
Manage a training business
8
Answers
Wiscasset, Maine
Updated
Tom’s Answer
Just as Fred mentions, there are many great, valuable and important careers that do not require a college education. The answer therefore to "is college important" really is depends on what you want to do with your life, what your interest are, and what you think college can provide of benefit for you.
We have unfortunately become conditioned to believe that it is only by going to college that someone will get a good job, will find happiness, and so on - and that everyone who doesn't go to college is a failure. That elitist view simply is not true; for example, neither my father or my sister attended college and both have excellent jobs which provide them great fulfillment and rewards, both monetary and non-monetary, and both are quite happy with their lives. By contrast, I know several people with whom I went to college who are frankly miserable. So graduating from college is not by itself a guarantee of "success".
So the (tough) question then comes back to you - what is it you want to do with your life, and does going to college help you achieve this?
We have unfortunately become conditioned to believe that it is only by going to college that someone will get a good job, will find happiness, and so on - and that everyone who doesn't go to college is a failure. That elitist view simply is not true; for example, neither my father or my sister attended college and both have excellent jobs which provide them great fulfillment and rewards, both monetary and non-monetary, and both are quite happy with their lives. By contrast, I know several people with whom I went to college who are frankly miserable. So graduating from college is not by itself a guarantee of "success".
So the (tough) question then comes back to you - what is it you want to do with your life, and does going to college help you achieve this?
Rei Morimoto
Consulting
7
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Rei’s Answer
Hello Milan,
Fantastic inquiry! I firmly believe that college is an excellent stepping stone before embarking on your professional journey, primarily for two significant reasons:
1. As echoed by many others, college offers the opportunity to gain the necessary skills for your future career, which can be a valuable addition to your CV. I won't delve too much into this aspect as it's been well-addressed already.
2. More importantly, college provides a conducive environment to develop and exercise leadership and teamwork skills. It's somewhat like a training ground, where the risks are comparatively lower than in a professional setting. Although it's crucial to be mindful of your actions during college, it's an ideal place to learn the ropes of team dynamics before stepping into the professional world.
Fantastic inquiry! I firmly believe that college is an excellent stepping stone before embarking on your professional journey, primarily for two significant reasons:
1. As echoed by many others, college offers the opportunity to gain the necessary skills for your future career, which can be a valuable addition to your CV. I won't delve too much into this aspect as it's been well-addressed already.
2. More importantly, college provides a conducive environment to develop and exercise leadership and teamwork skills. It's somewhat like a training ground, where the risks are comparatively lower than in a professional setting. Although it's crucial to be mindful of your actions during college, it's an ideal place to learn the ropes of team dynamics before stepping into the professional world.
Fred Rosenberger
Data Analyst
481
Answers
St. Louis, MO
Updated
Fred’s Answer
As with most things, the answer is "it depends".
What do you want to do? If you want to be a doctor, an engineer, or lawyer (among others), college is a must.
If you want to be an electrician, a salesperson, or start your own business, college is much less a requirement.
What do you want to do? If you want to be a doctor, an engineer, or lawyer (among others), college is a must.
If you want to be an electrician, a salesperson, or start your own business, college is much less a requirement.
Michelle M.
Entertainment Industry
1913
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Milan !
Since you are trying to figure out whether or not you should go to college, it is most likely that, deep down, you may not want to go if you are questioning it. It's not so important that you have a career in mind right now, but rather whether or not you like high school and being a student. College is much more than preparing for a career, but you get to do that while being a college student. There are many other ways to achieve a career goal and many careers that do not require a college degree.
There are many assumptions about why people go to college and assumptions about people who don't. Because people are so different, it is not accurate to go by assumptions. Every person's life takes a different route, not only for education and career, but for everything else in life, too. People are much more than their formal education and this is something you discover to be true as you mature and meet a vast variety of people.
Being in tenth grade right now, you have a lot of time to think about your personal, educational and professional goals. No need to rush. I would advise actively participating, reading about things you like and talking to people about their jobs and careers. Figure out what type of person you are, introverted, extroverted, a people person or loner. See what employment plans fit your abilities and preferences. If you choose something that needs classes or learning, there are options other than college.
Many trainings are provided on line for various skills. Vocational school is also an option. Choosing something at which you get trained on the job is another option. Starting your own service or business is an option. But try to ignore the assumptions people make and say about going to college because it's too individualized to generalize or predict someone's future. Take your time to figure out what you want to do and I think you'll be fine.
I hope that this was of some help and I wish you all the best !
Since you are trying to figure out whether or not you should go to college, it is most likely that, deep down, you may not want to go if you are questioning it. It's not so important that you have a career in mind right now, but rather whether or not you like high school and being a student. College is much more than preparing for a career, but you get to do that while being a college student. There are many other ways to achieve a career goal and many careers that do not require a college degree.
There are many assumptions about why people go to college and assumptions about people who don't. Because people are so different, it is not accurate to go by assumptions. Every person's life takes a different route, not only for education and career, but for everything else in life, too. People are much more than their formal education and this is something you discover to be true as you mature and meet a vast variety of people.
Being in tenth grade right now, you have a lot of time to think about your personal, educational and professional goals. No need to rush. I would advise actively participating, reading about things you like and talking to people about their jobs and careers. Figure out what type of person you are, introverted, extroverted, a people person or loner. See what employment plans fit your abilities and preferences. If you choose something that needs classes or learning, there are options other than college.
Many trainings are provided on line for various skills. Vocational school is also an option. Choosing something at which you get trained on the job is another option. Starting your own service or business is an option. But try to ignore the assumptions people make and say about going to college because it's too individualized to generalize or predict someone's future. Take your time to figure out what you want to do and I think you'll be fine.
I hope that this was of some help and I wish you all the best !
Matthew Koshy
Accountant
4
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Matthew’s Answer
There's a lot of debate online about whether a college degree is financially worthwhile. Many influencers question the logic of spending $150K for four years without earning, versus starting to earn money right away. While the debt can be daunting, it's important to also think about your potential earnings over your career.
Let's look at the median earnings for someone with a college degree compared to someone with just a high school degree.
If you only have a High School Degree, here's what you might earn:
- Under 35 years old: $50K
- Age 35-44: $63K
- Age 45-54: $66K
- Age 55-64: $54K
But with a College Degree, your earnings could look like this:
- Under 35 years old: $86K
- Age 35-44: $133K
- Age 45-54: $152K
- Age 55-64: $161K
(Source: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/what-is-considered-rich/)
So, while the upfront cost of a degree might seem steep, the potential for higher earnings over your career could make it a worthwhile investment.
Let's look at the median earnings for someone with a college degree compared to someone with just a high school degree.
If you only have a High School Degree, here's what you might earn:
- Under 35 years old: $50K
- Age 35-44: $63K
- Age 45-54: $66K
- Age 55-64: $54K
But with a College Degree, your earnings could look like this:
- Under 35 years old: $86K
- Age 35-44: $133K
- Age 45-54: $152K
- Age 55-64: $161K
(Source: https://ofdollarsanddata.com/what-is-considered-rich/)
So, while the upfront cost of a degree might seem steep, the potential for higher earnings over your career could make it a worthwhile investment.
Carlos Santiago Villeda
Consulting
5
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Carlos Santiago’s Answer
Attending college is a significant step in life. It's a unique period where you can smoothly shift from childhood to adulthood, learning to manage all aspects of your life independently. College is more than just a place for education; it's a platform where you can handpick your circle of friends, determining who positively contributes to your life and who doesn't. This phase also opens up a world of exploration, allowing you to delve into various fields, discover your passions, and gain knowledge from individuals who share similar interests. It's an empowering journey that shapes your future.
Jerome Dees Jr.
Sales Professional and Networking Expert
613
Answers
San Francisco, California
Updated
Jerome’s Answer
I think it can be IF you are using it to work towards something. I think there can also be value in jumping into the workforce and starting to work your way up.
If you are going to school for a specific job, that’s great! If you are going to school in hopes that you might get a job, you may want to evaluate your plan.
If you are going to school for a specific job, that’s great! If you are going to school in hopes that you might get a job, you may want to evaluate your plan.
Sara Morsi
Software Architect
12
Answers
New York, New York
Updated
Sara’s Answer
I think it depends on ultimately what career path you want to pursue. There are different options for different career paths that might not need college.
However, I will say it's worth pursuing because you learn a variety of things from the courses you take in college (even if it's just a community or city college) and also you build your network/connections with other people. You are exposed to new ideas, new ways of thinking and problem solving and can be presented with opportunities that can make way for a future job or career path.
I can provide more insights if you share what your interests are and what you are thinking to pursue after high school.
However, I will say it's worth pursuing because you learn a variety of things from the courses you take in college (even if it's just a community or city college) and also you build your network/connections with other people. You are exposed to new ideas, new ways of thinking and problem solving and can be presented with opportunities that can make way for a future job or career path.
I can provide more insights if you share what your interests are and what you are thinking to pursue after high school.
Sydney Washington
Software test engineer
7
Answers
Sacramento, California
Updated
Sydney’s Answer
Hello Milan, I think as you graduate high school, what is important is that you accomplish your goals. Rather that is to be an engineer, teacher, or firefighter is up to you. Sometimes college is needed to get to your goal, sometimes it is not. However, I do think going to college is beneficial. I think it is a great opportunity to network, to develop your opinion, and to see life from a different view. An old saying goes “it’s not about what you know, it’s about who you meet”. If you have the means you go to college, I think that it’s worth it just because meeting thousands of people and making connections can be so valuable!