5 answers
5 answers
Updated
John’s Answer
The short answer to this question is that you do not need to go to college to have a profitable career. However, there are two things to remember:
1) A college education increases the likelihood that you will attain certain jobs
2) Some jobs are only available to college educated applicants
I have attended both college and a trade school and here is what I learned.
After college I taught music in public schools. The school districts where I worked did not hire any teachers without college degrees. Therefore, it was the college education that made that job possible for me. I eventually left teaching to try something else.
I went to trade school to learn the airline business. Afterwards I got a job at a small airline alongside colleagues who both had and had not gone to college (or to trade school). Some of them were really good at what they did and very successful. However, when I wanted to become a manager, the airline "preferred" a bachelor's degree for their manager applicants. I eventually did become a manager, and so did some of my colleagues without college degrees, but I think that my college education gave me an advantage at that particular airline.
Eventually I became an administrator in the training department for the airline, and this job "required" a college degree, and that degree being in education was "preferred." So now I was in a job where my college degree had been my ticket.
I eventually left that airline and went to work for a University as a trainer. There were many, many tradesmen and women (who did not go to college) in my department who were very skilled and made good money. Examples of the trades are plumber, electrician, carpenter, or signmaker. At this particular university, all of the supervisors of the trades were selected from the ranks of their peers and most did not have college degrees. So there was a career path for advancement for them all.
I have always seen many college educated and non-college educated colleagues all around me at every job. But for me, the college degree was very helpful.
1) A college education increases the likelihood that you will attain certain jobs
2) Some jobs are only available to college educated applicants
I have attended both college and a trade school and here is what I learned.
After college I taught music in public schools. The school districts where I worked did not hire any teachers without college degrees. Therefore, it was the college education that made that job possible for me. I eventually left teaching to try something else.
I went to trade school to learn the airline business. Afterwards I got a job at a small airline alongside colleagues who both had and had not gone to college (or to trade school). Some of them were really good at what they did and very successful. However, when I wanted to become a manager, the airline "preferred" a bachelor's degree for their manager applicants. I eventually did become a manager, and so did some of my colleagues without college degrees, but I think that my college education gave me an advantage at that particular airline.
Eventually I became an administrator in the training department for the airline, and this job "required" a college degree, and that degree being in education was "preferred." So now I was in a job where my college degree had been my ticket.
I eventually left that airline and went to work for a University as a trainer. There were many, many tradesmen and women (who did not go to college) in my department who were very skilled and made good money. Examples of the trades are plumber, electrician, carpenter, or signmaker. At this particular university, all of the supervisors of the trades were selected from the ranks of their peers and most did not have college degrees. So there was a career path for advancement for them all.
I have always seen many college educated and non-college educated colleagues all around me at every job. But for me, the college degree was very helpful.
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Luke !
The three questions that you've asked are indeed very important for planning your future. Advice may very well help you make some good decisions for yourself so let's explore each question you've asked.
When you apply for employment, part of the application process is filling out applications, sending a resume and some types of work require additional materials such as a portfolio, reel, photos, the applicants' website, something pertaining to the field of work. The employer receives numerous responses to the employment notice and has to figure out who comes closest in experience and possibly education to what they are looking for in an employee. For example, the employer may receive 100 resumes. The employer may have priorities as to what they are looking for in their potential staff and the application and materials are an initial, impersonal way for the employer to get information about the person. They have to make a choice, so perhaps they narrow it down to five strong candidates, but the most important phase of application is the interview, whether it is in person or online via Zoom. The employer will get a first hand impression about the person making it easier to choose one person to offer the job to. This is why you need to interview. The employer is financially investing in the employee and needs to know who they are hiring. I would advise practicing interviewing with friends, family or online.
No one can actually give you directions on how to pick a career. You will be inspired by people, places, things, ideas as you live life. What are your favorite subjects in school ? Think of the things you like and like doing. There's no deadline on this. Career choice comes to people at all different times in their life. You will have to define what you consider profitable and in which way you are able to and want to make an impact through your work. I would suggest exploring some subjects that you are interested in and reading websites that talk about what it is like to be in certain careers. That should give you insight and may even be inspirational enough to foster a career decision for yourself.
College is very important for many different reasons. You would first have to decide exactly which line of work you want to go into. I touched on the application process a bit and something to keep in mind about employers receiving numerous applications/resumes for openings is that many times, the resumes that have college degrees do receive priority. College attendance reflects that your written, oral and presentational skills are at a certain level. It also indicates that you had long term dedication for achievement. You become more well-rounded in life through college than other routes because you meet so many different people and receive support from various people and services on campus. People without college degrees do get hired at places, but for certain careers, a college degree is expected. If you take an independent different route, explore it fully before you commit to it. Your tag indicates that you're interested in medicine. I believe that you are beginning to understand why you would need to go to college for a career in medicine. Read more about what is expected in that field to advance your understanding.
I have left some links below that I hope are helpful and I wish you all the best !
PRACTICE INTERVIEWS https://myinterviewpractice.com/
TIPS ON HOW TO PREPARE FOR AN INTERVIEW https://www.themuse.com/advice/the-ultimate-interview-guide-30-prep-tips-for-job-interview-success
POTENTIAL HIGH IMPACT CAREERS https://80000hours.org/career-reviews/
PROFITABLE CAREERS https://www.forbes.com/advisor/education/career-resources/what-are-the-highest-paying-jobs-in-the-u-s/
The three questions that you've asked are indeed very important for planning your future. Advice may very well help you make some good decisions for yourself so let's explore each question you've asked.
When you apply for employment, part of the application process is filling out applications, sending a resume and some types of work require additional materials such as a portfolio, reel, photos, the applicants' website, something pertaining to the field of work. The employer receives numerous responses to the employment notice and has to figure out who comes closest in experience and possibly education to what they are looking for in an employee. For example, the employer may receive 100 resumes. The employer may have priorities as to what they are looking for in their potential staff and the application and materials are an initial, impersonal way for the employer to get information about the person. They have to make a choice, so perhaps they narrow it down to five strong candidates, but the most important phase of application is the interview, whether it is in person or online via Zoom. The employer will get a first hand impression about the person making it easier to choose one person to offer the job to. This is why you need to interview. The employer is financially investing in the employee and needs to know who they are hiring. I would advise practicing interviewing with friends, family or online.
No one can actually give you directions on how to pick a career. You will be inspired by people, places, things, ideas as you live life. What are your favorite subjects in school ? Think of the things you like and like doing. There's no deadline on this. Career choice comes to people at all different times in their life. You will have to define what you consider profitable and in which way you are able to and want to make an impact through your work. I would suggest exploring some subjects that you are interested in and reading websites that talk about what it is like to be in certain careers. That should give you insight and may even be inspirational enough to foster a career decision for yourself.
College is very important for many different reasons. You would first have to decide exactly which line of work you want to go into. I touched on the application process a bit and something to keep in mind about employers receiving numerous applications/resumes for openings is that many times, the resumes that have college degrees do receive priority. College attendance reflects that your written, oral and presentational skills are at a certain level. It also indicates that you had long term dedication for achievement. You become more well-rounded in life through college than other routes because you meet so many different people and receive support from various people and services on campus. People without college degrees do get hired at places, but for certain careers, a college degree is expected. If you take an independent different route, explore it fully before you commit to it. Your tag indicates that you're interested in medicine. I believe that you are beginning to understand why you would need to go to college for a career in medicine. Read more about what is expected in that field to advance your understanding.
I have left some links below that I hope are helpful and I wish you all the best !
Michelle recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Aisha’s Answer
Hello Luke,
Job interviews are a golden opportunity to showcase your abilities and to see if you're the perfect fit for the role. They're also your chance to get a feel for the job and the company culture. When it comes to choosing a career that's both rewarding and makes a difference, do some homework on industries that are on the rise, reflect on what truly sparks your interest, and don't hesitate to find a mentor who can guide you. College can equip you with specialized knowledge, open doors to valuable connections, and provide the qualifications needed for many influential careers, such as in the medical field.
Wishing you all the success.
Job interviews are a golden opportunity to showcase your abilities and to see if you're the perfect fit for the role. They're also your chance to get a feel for the job and the company culture. When it comes to choosing a career that's both rewarding and makes a difference, do some homework on industries that are on the rise, reflect on what truly sparks your interest, and don't hesitate to find a mentor who can guide you. College can equip you with specialized knowledge, open doors to valuable connections, and provide the qualifications needed for many influential careers, such as in the medical field.
Wishing you all the success.
Updated
Joanna Rose’s Answer
Hello Luke
Job interviews are important because they:
1. Test Skills: They allow employers to check if you have the skills needed for the job, beyond what's on your resume.
2. Check Fit: They help determine if you would work well with the team and fit into the company culture.
3. Measure Interest: They let employers see if you are truly interested in the role and the company.
4. Inform You: They give you a chance to learn more about the job and the company, helping you decide if you want the job.
5. Answer Questions: They provide a chance for you to ask your own questions about the job, the team, or the company.
In short, job interviews help both you and the employer make sure that the job is a good match.
Job interviews are important because they:
1. Test Skills: They allow employers to check if you have the skills needed for the job, beyond what's on your resume.
2. Check Fit: They help determine if you would work well with the team and fit into the company culture.
3. Measure Interest: They let employers see if you are truly interested in the role and the company.
4. Inform You: They give you a chance to learn more about the job and the company, helping you decide if you want the job.
5. Answer Questions: They provide a chance for you to ask your own questions about the job, the team, or the company.
In short, job interviews help both you and the employer make sure that the job is a good match.
Updated
Kristina’s Answer
Job interviews are a crucial stepping stone in the hiring journey for both potential employees and employers. They serve multiple functions:
Determining qualifications: Interviews give employers the chance to assess a candidate's abilities, credentials, and past experiences to see if they're the right match for the job.
Assessing cultural compatibility: Interviews offer a platform to evaluate if a candidate's values, character, and work approach are in sync with the company's ethos.
Evaluating communication and social skills: Interviews enable employers to measure a candidate's capacity to express thoughts, solve issues, and effectively engage with others.
Collecting extra details: Interviews offer employers an opportunity to delve into a candidate's history, ask pointed questions, and gain knowledge beyond what's stated in their resume or application.
As for the significance of college, it hinges on the specific career path you opt for. While college can offer valuable knowledge, skills, and networking prospects, it's not the only route to success. Many careers appreciate hands-on experience, certifications, or vocational training. It's crucial to research the specific prerequisites of your chosen career and evaluate if college is necessary or if other avenues can be explored.
Determining qualifications: Interviews give employers the chance to assess a candidate's abilities, credentials, and past experiences to see if they're the right match for the job.
Assessing cultural compatibility: Interviews offer a platform to evaluate if a candidate's values, character, and work approach are in sync with the company's ethos.
Evaluating communication and social skills: Interviews enable employers to measure a candidate's capacity to express thoughts, solve issues, and effectively engage with others.
Collecting extra details: Interviews offer employers an opportunity to delve into a candidate's history, ask pointed questions, and gain knowledge beyond what's stated in their resume or application.
As for the significance of college, it hinges on the specific career path you opt for. While college can offer valuable knowledge, skills, and networking prospects, it's not the only route to success. Many careers appreciate hands-on experience, certifications, or vocational training. It's crucial to research the specific prerequisites of your chosen career and evaluate if college is necessary or if other avenues can be explored.