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Why go to college?

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Jacob’s Answer

Hi, Colin. The challenges associated with a college education shouldn't be glossed over. The time investment and financial burden are significant. Your question is valid but is probably more appropriately directed inward; you should ask yourself why you do or do not want to go to college. I recommend doing some research about the costs and benefits of going to college (I linked one article below as a starting point) and also thoroughly considering what career you want to pursue. The career guide linked below is tailored to those who have a college degree but it is a useful framework for considering what you want to get out of your professional experience.


The simple fact of the matter is that the choice is yours - the decision to pursue higher education or something else is dependent on what your long term goals are. Thinking long term at a young age is not easy and it's likely that your passions will change over time. When you're young, I think building flexibility is key - find a way to build your "career capital" (i.e. meaningful experience in areas you're interested in, internships, learning a new language, learning IT related skills, gain leadership/management experience) so that you can easily transfer skills between different careers and still have an impact.


I hope this helps - good luck!

Jacob recommends the following next steps:

http://www.commonapp.org/why-go-college
https://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction/
Big decisions require the right frame of mind. I frequently recommend reading "The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho. It is a quick, rewarding read and personifies the adventurous mind that I think is common among successful people.
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V’s Answer

There was a time when going to college was not a necessary thing. Even now, if you have challenges to go to college, there is nothing wrong in dropping it. HOWEVER, college is not just an extension of high school. If you are in right school, it can not only mature you , it gives you worldview, it introduces you to subjects, hobbies that you would otherwise not even think of and it can ignite the spark of self actualization in you like never before! Not to mention the degree and education you get! It also opens up higher paying jobs for you - assuming you choose a major in an area that pays well - and your life's trajectory can be set in an upward direction. There are always examples of Bill Gates, Mark Zuckerberg given but there are so few such examples that it is quite uncommon. Can you live without college degree? Sure ! But I would not recommend it.
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Jessica’s Answer

One important piece of advice I got before I went to college is that it's not really about the degree that you get, it's more about the work that you put in. Going to college and getting a Bachelor's Degree proves to future employers that you're willing to put in the work, that you have the basics in research and formulating ideas down enough to be dangerous, and that you can persevere and overcome challenges. It also backs you up as you fight for a higher salary for certain positions. However, definitely consider how much work you're willing to put in before you make the investment to go to college and exactly what it is you want to do with your life. A college is a place where you learn critical thinking and research skills that you can apply to almost any office job. If you want to do something hands-on, maybe consider a vocational or technical school so that you can learn those particular skills you need to be a mechanic, a welder, a truck driver, etc. Don't underestimate the salary you can make in these more blue-collar positions, but remember that you will be working more with your hands and body instead of your mind. Some will argue one is more exhausting and laborious than the other, but stay true to yourself and what you enjoy and are willing to do for the rest of your life. Below are some next steps I'd suggest for you:

Jessica recommends the following next steps:

Get a better understanding of who you are and what drives you by identifying your Myers-Briggs Personality type: https://www.16personalities.com/free-personality-test
Make a list of skills, hobbies, or topics you are passionate about or enjoy doing
Evaluate your skills, hobbies, and topics you are passionate about to determine if they are mental-based or physical-based
If they are mental-based, start researching college majors in those fields/topics, the types of jobs people get with those majors, and typical salaries for those jobs
If they are physical-based, start researching vocational schools in those fields/topics, the types of jobs people get with those certifications, and typical salaries for those jobs
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