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Nailah
Student
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Why are you interested in college? Is it to further your education and pursue a specific career?
Why are you interested in college? Is it to further your education and pursue a specific career?
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3 answers
Richard Thornton
Aerospace Engineer
20
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Robbinsville, New Jersey
Updated
Richard’s Answer
Hi Nailah, I can say that my interest in college came from my desire to work in the field of engineering and specifically with aerospace and space systems. This simply necessitated getting a higher degree, but I also enjoyed the topics so much that learning about them just felt like the natural next step. Its important to remember you can get all sorts of degrees depending on the career you want to pursue - an Associates in 2 years, Bachelors in 4 years, Master's in 5 or 6 and so on. It's often understood that college doesn't just teach about the field you are studying, but rather it mostly provides you with the ability to learn at a higher level in general and it tests your self-motivation.
Your interest in a certain field is just one of many considerations you must make when deciding on pursuing higher education. You not only have your career aspirations - i.e. how much money you want to make if that's what's important to you and what type of work you want to do - but also how much you want to personally invest in a degree. College is of course more and more expensive each year and student debt is a major consideration to ask young adults to think about, but there are great scholarships to consider and financial aid is often available. There's also the overall return on investment you get from a school, which this site outlines well: https://www.intelligent.com/best-roi-colleges/. You may be surprised that going to Ivy league colleges doesn't always result in the strongest careers afterwards relative to how much the students pay into the school. Make this decision carefully with an eye on what careers you want to pursue - in other words, I wouldn't recommend putting $250k into a degree that pays $40k per year.
Another alternative is starting at a local community school to be sure of the field you want to study and then carrying your existing credits over to a school offering 4-year degrees and higher. This is a more common route in recent years and is often well received by 4-year degree schools since the students have already demonstrated their ability in higher education. The key is to be certain in the path you are taking before investing large sums of cash or loans into it and to make sure that the investment you are putting in results in an equivalent return coming out. You are after all paying these schools to teach you about a field and make you qualified for whatever positions you want to apply to, so make sure they are giving you that - you're the boss!
And of course, love the field that you are studying so that it isn't work, but something you would do even if you ended up not getting paid for it. If that's the case, then going to college to achieve that dream is an obvious step rather than a burden.
Your interest in a certain field is just one of many considerations you must make when deciding on pursuing higher education. You not only have your career aspirations - i.e. how much money you want to make if that's what's important to you and what type of work you want to do - but also how much you want to personally invest in a degree. College is of course more and more expensive each year and student debt is a major consideration to ask young adults to think about, but there are great scholarships to consider and financial aid is often available. There's also the overall return on investment you get from a school, which this site outlines well: https://www.intelligent.com/best-roi-colleges/. You may be surprised that going to Ivy league colleges doesn't always result in the strongest careers afterwards relative to how much the students pay into the school. Make this decision carefully with an eye on what careers you want to pursue - in other words, I wouldn't recommend putting $250k into a degree that pays $40k per year.
Another alternative is starting at a local community school to be sure of the field you want to study and then carrying your existing credits over to a school offering 4-year degrees and higher. This is a more common route in recent years and is often well received by 4-year degree schools since the students have already demonstrated their ability in higher education. The key is to be certain in the path you are taking before investing large sums of cash or loans into it and to make sure that the investment you are putting in results in an equivalent return coming out. You are after all paying these schools to teach you about a field and make you qualified for whatever positions you want to apply to, so make sure they are giving you that - you're the boss!
And of course, love the field that you are studying so that it isn't work, but something you would do even if you ended up not getting paid for it. If that's the case, then going to college to achieve that dream is an obvious step rather than a burden.
James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian & Software Developer since 1972 => Nutrition Education => Health & Longevity => Self-Actualization.
6182
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Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Hello Nailah,
Why Pursue College Education
There are several reasons why individuals may be interested in pursuing a college education. The primary motivation for many is to further their education and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a specific career. College provides an environment where students can engage in rigorous academic study, gain practical experience, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, college offers opportunities for personal growth, exposure to diverse perspectives, and the chance to form valuable connections with peers and mentors.
Furthering Education
One of the main reasons individuals pursue a college education is to expand their knowledge base and intellectual capabilities. College provides access to a wide range of academic disciplines, allowing students to explore subjects they are passionate about and delve deeper into areas of interest. Through coursework, research projects, and interactions with faculty members, students can enhance their understanding of various fields and develop expertise in specific areas.
Career Pursuit
Another significant motivation for attending college is to prepare for a specific career path. Many professions require a college degree as a minimum qualification, making higher education essential for individuals seeking employment in certain industries. College programs often offer specialized training and practical experiences that are directly relevant to particular careers, equipping students with the competencies needed to excel in their chosen fields.
Personal Development
College also serves as a platform for personal development. Students have the opportunity to cultivate essential life skills such as time management, communication, teamwork, and leadership. Moreover, the college experience fosters independence and self-discovery, enabling individuals to explore their interests, values, and aspirations while gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Exposure to Diverse Perspectives
In addition to academic and career-related benefits, college exposes students to diverse perspectives and ideas. Interactions with peers from different backgrounds, participation in extracurricular activities, and engagement with faculty members contribute to a rich learning environment that broadens students’ horizons. Exposure to diverse viewpoints fosters cultural awareness, empathy, and open-mindedness, which are valuable attributes in both personal and professional contexts.
Networking Opportunities
College provides ample networking opportunities that can be instrumental in shaping future career prospects. Building connections with classmates, professors, alumni, and professionals through internships or industry events can lead to mentorship opportunities, job referrals, and valuable insights into various career paths. These connections often extend beyond graduation and can continue to benefit individuals throughout their professional lives.
In conclusion, the decision to pursue a college education is often driven by the desire to further one’s education, prepare for a specific career, foster personal development, gain exposure to diverse perspectives, and leverage networking opportunities.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard University
U.S. Department of Education
The National Center for Education Statistics
These sources were selected for their expertise in higher education research and policy-making, providing reliable information on the motivations behind pursuing college education and its associated benefits.
GOD BLESS,
JC
Why Pursue College Education
There are several reasons why individuals may be interested in pursuing a college education. The primary motivation for many is to further their education and acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to pursue a specific career. College provides an environment where students can engage in rigorous academic study, gain practical experience, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Additionally, college offers opportunities for personal growth, exposure to diverse perspectives, and the chance to form valuable connections with peers and mentors.
Furthering Education
One of the main reasons individuals pursue a college education is to expand their knowledge base and intellectual capabilities. College provides access to a wide range of academic disciplines, allowing students to explore subjects they are passionate about and delve deeper into areas of interest. Through coursework, research projects, and interactions with faculty members, students can enhance their understanding of various fields and develop expertise in specific areas.
Career Pursuit
Another significant motivation for attending college is to prepare for a specific career path. Many professions require a college degree as a minimum qualification, making higher education essential for individuals seeking employment in certain industries. College programs often offer specialized training and practical experiences that are directly relevant to particular careers, equipping students with the competencies needed to excel in their chosen fields.
Personal Development
College also serves as a platform for personal development. Students have the opportunity to cultivate essential life skills such as time management, communication, teamwork, and leadership. Moreover, the college experience fosters independence and self-discovery, enabling individuals to explore their interests, values, and aspirations while gaining a deeper understanding of themselves and the world around them.
Exposure to Diverse Perspectives
In addition to academic and career-related benefits, college exposes students to diverse perspectives and ideas. Interactions with peers from different backgrounds, participation in extracurricular activities, and engagement with faculty members contribute to a rich learning environment that broadens students’ horizons. Exposure to diverse viewpoints fosters cultural awareness, empathy, and open-mindedness, which are valuable attributes in both personal and professional contexts.
Networking Opportunities
College provides ample networking opportunities that can be instrumental in shaping future career prospects. Building connections with classmates, professors, alumni, and professionals through internships or industry events can lead to mentorship opportunities, job referrals, and valuable insights into various career paths. These connections often extend beyond graduation and can continue to benefit individuals throughout their professional lives.
In conclusion, the decision to pursue a college education is often driven by the desire to further one’s education, prepare for a specific career, foster personal development, gain exposure to diverse perspectives, and leverage networking opportunities.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
Harvard University
U.S. Department of Education
The National Center for Education Statistics
These sources were selected for their expertise in higher education research and policy-making, providing reliable information on the motivations behind pursuing college education and its associated benefits.
GOD BLESS,
JC
Rebecca Tang
Banking
1816
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. This is a very good question. It really depends on the career you have interest. Some professional careers ,e.g. accountant, engineer, lawyer, etc. require college degree. However, there are careers that are better to attend vocational schools, e.g. culinary, hair styling, make up ,etc. So, you better find out what careers you have interest first.
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, musical artist, singer, music producer, music composer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Determine the careers requires college degree or better to attend vocational school. Find out the entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions :
1. Think about what you have interest, e.g. your hobbies, favourite subjects, etc. and identify the related careers
E.g. If you like music, would you like to be a musician, musical artist, singer, music producer, music composer, etc
If you have interest in maths, would you like to be accountant, engineer, banker, financial analyst, maths teacher, etc.
2. Find out more on these careers and determine what you have interest
3. Speak to someone who are working in these careers. Seek guidance from your mentor, school career counsellor, your parents, etc.
4. Shortlist 1-2 careers you would like to pursue
5. Determine the careers requires college degree or better to attend vocational school. Find out the entry criteria.
Hope this helps! Good Luck!
May Almighty God bless you!