Why college so important in life🤔

Hi Eduardo - College is not necessarily important in life but having some kind of post-secondary training is. Most employers are looking for someone with either an Associates degree or skilled trade credential when hiring so if you want to be a teacher, doctor, nurse, marketing professional, etc - you may need to go to a 2 or 4 year college and obtain a degree. On the other hand, if you want to go into the trades and become an auto mechanic, electrician, plumber, carpenter, and the like - you will want to look at trade schools or community colleges that have those vocational programs.

College is a great first step for a lot of people but more important than college, you want to do something after high school that prepares you for a career that interests you. A lot of people your age feel pressure to go away to a 4 year school right after high school but that isn't always a best fit. Think about what you want to do as a career and then take the next steps from there.

Hi Eduardo,

I think that's a very important question. I know when I asked that question, I was already working full time right out of High School and loved what I did, but I wasn't sure how the work that I was doing would correlate into college. The fact of the matter, is that it didn't. I was working for Apple, and going to school to get an English Degree.

However, I think going to college is something that should be heavily considered, because it can set you up in a few ways. One, it can provide you with the tools needed for the career of your choice. Two, it can be a place to network and build the contacts that you need to be successful in the career of your choice. Three, it can show companies that want to hire college age grads that you can commit and be successful to a program.

The thing to keep in mind, is that you have to decide what is best for you. There are technical schools, and trade schools, and other opportunities that are not as traditional as college, but can provide what you're looking for. College can put you on an even playing field with other college grads, but if the field you're looking to go in doesn't require it, then you can make your decision from there.

College is so stressed to kids because on average, people with college educations make more than those without. Also, without a college degree, certain job paths will be completely closed off to you.

That being said....I was 34 before I went to college. I had enlisted in Army after high school and was trained as a Biomedical Equipment Technician (I fixed X-ray machines in hospitals). I worked at that job for 18 years. It was fun, interesting, and paid well. I still have lots of friends in the field, many of whom have no college education outside of military or trade school.

At 34, I developed a passion for Data Science / Artificial Intelligence and knew the only way to be able to do that was with a college education, so I went to school, got my bachelors, and a masters, and now I am working on my PhD. As a result, I now have a great job I love.

So, if you have a passion for something that a college education will enhance, definitely go. If you're not sure what you want to do, maybe give college a try - you might find something you like.

However, if you want to consider military, a trade school or apprenticeship, there is nothing wrong with that either. But you have to do something to make yourself more employable or you will end up with very low paying jobs.

Eduardo,

This is an extremely complex question! I wish I knew more about why you are asking it!

Parents/adults want the best for their children. And so we encourage them in certain directions, based on our own experiences. We want you, at the very least, to have all options available to you, so, should you want to become a scientist, or teacher, or what have you, you have been properly prepared to be able to pursue that path. It does not necessarily mean that you will go that way, but, at this point in your life, even though you may feel absolutely certain what you want to do will not require college, the truth is, you can't be certain what you want to do, and, you can't be certain it won't require college. People change their minds all the time! We simply want you to keep your options open.

As an example, not too long ago, people said, "Why do I need to learn computers? I don't plan on getting a job where I have to know computers." And further back before that, we said, "why do I have to learn how to type?" Sounds kind of silly now, doesn't it?

Also, it is much easier to learn while you are young. The older you get, the harder it is to retain information! And, if you don't go shortly after HS, you will get busy living your life. We (adults) are afraid you will start raising a family or something, and indefinitely put off getting an education.

Part of the problem though, is we (my generation), have complicated things. We have allowed the cost of an education to skyrocket, while wages plummeted. At the same time, we have artificially increased the threshold education requirements for entry-level positions. That is, jobs that used to require a HS diploma now require a 4 yr degree, for no readily apparent reason. Don't get me wrong. Some jobs are very complex now. But not all of them. And, as a society, we overly equate wealth with success. We say you won't make as much money without a good education. We don't want you to have to struggle. We, as a society, are overly materialistic. Many people live quite well on modest incomes. But it takes serious self-discipline.

So what's a person to do? First, don't go to college if you are not ready for it. There's no sense paying out money if you are not going to get passing grades! Secondly, explore alternative education and career paths. The skilled trades, such as electricians, make good money. However, while most people work well into their sixties, the human body does not always cooperate with the idea of doing physical work! The military does an excellent job of teaching people skills and trades, and helping to pay for college. There are junior colleges, trade schools, and even apprenticeships. Scholarships and grants can help pay for school, and, if you are working, employers sometimes offer tuition assistance. It is not necessary to go in debt so far that you wonder if you will ever get out!

I think this was an awesome question, and hope my answer helps you as you try to sort out what you want to do in life!

Kim