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Should I try to get into a good college?
Im skeptical about college degrees decreasing in value every year. I seen teachers people who went to good colleges and ended up with mediocre jobs. I am not sure if I should try to get into a good college and end up with a lot more debt.
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Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Raymond !
As someone who wants to become a teacher, you should choose a college that has a vibrant Education Department. You don't have to go to a famous college if you do not want to, but if you do want to, you should. It's up to you. There are very successful teachers and unsuccessful ones and it has nothing to do with the college they attended. It has all to do with their passion for education, their passion to teach and the opportunities they find and take. There are successes and failures coming out of every single college and your college and career experience will be different than anyone else's. You will have to be open to challenges and take advantage of opportunities, not think that other people's paths will be your own. It doesn't work that way. Your main focus is to develop into the best educator that you can be and most of that is your responsibility, not the name of a school.
College Degrees DO NOT become devalued over the years - not at all ! That is a certification and validation that stays with a person for their whole life ! I am sorry that with such a great ambition such as being an Educator, you have some information that you've stated that is not quite accurate and downright discouraging. A college degree will keep its' value for your lifetime. Never look at anyone's career path and think that it will be yours. You will have a refreshing, new experience all your own. Always remember that.
To illustrate, as an educator, my own mother was very successful. Parents used to tell her a year prior that they want to be assured that their child had her for a teacher. Although the college that she attended was known locally, it was in no way a famous named college. It's going to demand much more than the name of a school to have your own personal success as a teacher.
Think of all the various opportunities you can have, too. You can teach in the Public School System, private parochial schools, alternative schools such as Waldorf or Montessori, online tutoring or in person as a sideline, teaching English to people whose first language is not English and as a hired teacher for Home Schooling.- there are so many things you could do. Also positions such as later on switching to being a Principal, Superintendent of the Board of Education or on the Board of many places that have openings for Board of Directors. It's an all win situation that you can have by making decisions and not comparing yourself to others.
So I advise that you choose a college that you will like being at and has the Education Program that suits you. There are some excellent universities where you live, oh and by the way, my aunt went to UC Berkley and she was a very successful educator, too ! It doesn't really matter which college, rather getting the strong education program is more important.
I hope that this perspective is inspiring and encouraging and I wish you all the best moving forward !
As someone who wants to become a teacher, you should choose a college that has a vibrant Education Department. You don't have to go to a famous college if you do not want to, but if you do want to, you should. It's up to you. There are very successful teachers and unsuccessful ones and it has nothing to do with the college they attended. It has all to do with their passion for education, their passion to teach and the opportunities they find and take. There are successes and failures coming out of every single college and your college and career experience will be different than anyone else's. You will have to be open to challenges and take advantage of opportunities, not think that other people's paths will be your own. It doesn't work that way. Your main focus is to develop into the best educator that you can be and most of that is your responsibility, not the name of a school.
College Degrees DO NOT become devalued over the years - not at all ! That is a certification and validation that stays with a person for their whole life ! I am sorry that with such a great ambition such as being an Educator, you have some information that you've stated that is not quite accurate and downright discouraging. A college degree will keep its' value for your lifetime. Never look at anyone's career path and think that it will be yours. You will have a refreshing, new experience all your own. Always remember that.
To illustrate, as an educator, my own mother was very successful. Parents used to tell her a year prior that they want to be assured that their child had her for a teacher. Although the college that she attended was known locally, it was in no way a famous named college. It's going to demand much more than the name of a school to have your own personal success as a teacher.
Think of all the various opportunities you can have, too. You can teach in the Public School System, private parochial schools, alternative schools such as Waldorf or Montessori, online tutoring or in person as a sideline, teaching English to people whose first language is not English and as a hired teacher for Home Schooling.- there are so many things you could do. Also positions such as later on switching to being a Principal, Superintendent of the Board of Education or on the Board of many places that have openings for Board of Directors. It's an all win situation that you can have by making decisions and not comparing yourself to others.
So I advise that you choose a college that you will like being at and has the Education Program that suits you. There are some excellent universities where you live, oh and by the way, my aunt went to UC Berkley and she was a very successful educator, too ! It doesn't really matter which college, rather getting the strong education program is more important.
I hope that this perspective is inspiring and encouraging and I wish you all the best moving forward !
Updated
Eunice’s Answer
It can be really beneficial to aim for a good college if it aligns with your goals. A strong college can offer valuable opportunities, resources, and connections. Think about what you want to study and where you see yourself in the future. If a good college can help you achieve those aspirations, it’s definitely worth considering! There are a whole lot of people out there who have made a career for themselves without the educational background or having to go into student loan debt, but they somehow needed to get a certificate or license that required studying eventually. Not all cases, but definitely some. What are your interests or goals?
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Hanna’s Answer
Pursuing a college degree is certainly a valuable path for many careers, but it’s not the only way to gain the skills needed for a successful career.
If you have a specific career path in mind, consider using LinkedIn to explore the educational backgrounds and experiences of people currently in that field. Many fields prioritize practical skills and experience over formal education, while others place a higher value on degrees from specific institutions. This research can help you decide if a college degree aligns with your goals or if alternative pathways, like certifications, apprenticeships/internships, or specialized courses, might be a better fit.
If you have a specific career path in mind, consider using LinkedIn to explore the educational backgrounds and experiences of people currently in that field. Many fields prioritize practical skills and experience over formal education, while others place a higher value on degrees from specific institutions. This research can help you decide if a college degree aligns with your goals or if alternative pathways, like certifications, apprenticeships/internships, or specialized courses, might be a better fit.
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Verizon’s Answer
Yes. College is worth it for many reasons. Beyond the education, you will meet people you will know your whole life. People who may help you in your career journey (friends, professors, etc..). It is also a place for you to mature and and really focus on what career you want to pursue. Yes, the $$ cost is exorbitant. But perhaps you can get financial aid, or go to a state school that has a lower tuition. I would definitely try to keep the cost as low as possible so you are not financially handicapped when you graduate but embrace the experience and everything it has to offer.
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Verizon’s Answer
The answer to this question is ultimately up to you, but whatever decision you choose, whether it's not to go to college or not, you should always continue to learn and grow. College can be really good for this, but so can a job out of high school as long as you continue to push yourself to keep growing. One financial tip is to look into community colleges first, maybe just for a year. The costs are far lower, and you can usually transfer a lot of credits over to another college. It can also help you discover your interests and then provide you with a more focused direction of what to learn in a 4-year college. It's a fantastic way to save some money while continuing your education!
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Verizon’s Answer
There are lots of different scholarships and tuition assistance programs that you can apply to. Make sure you do lots of research into what's out there and apply to everything! Plus not all good colleges have to be wildly expensive colleges - city and state colleges can be cheaper, depending on if you're in-state and private colleges also usually offer financial aid as well. You can definitely attend college without going into too much debt!
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Verizon’s Answer
Hi Raymond! Yes college is worth it unless you already know what you want to do and your path doesn’t require further education. You can apply for scholarships and also for financial aid. Speak to your HS guidance counselor to see what aid you can apply for. College education will give you an advantage over another applicant for the same position.
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Verizon’s Answer
That is a genuinely good question. Honestly, it depends on what you want to do in life, and whether or not college is the best option for you to achieve that goal. In short, be intentional and mindful about what you pursue, and don’t be afraid to consider trade school. A degree of some sort always helps and is better than not having one, and pursuing continuing education is extremely valuable. However, if I could go back and do things differently, I’d talk with working professionals and subject experts before picking a college major to see what kind of options I’d actually have for the areas of study I was considering. Like, “what could my future look like if I studied X, Y, or Z.” I’m just one guy though, and that’s my opinion, so don’t take what I say as gospel.
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Verizon’s Answer
It depends - generally, a college education will open some doors to you and usually results in higher pay. However, college debt can be crippling and counterproductive at times. Some degrees can be found at really good values, such as community college or in-state. You could start with those and price out your budget.
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Verizon’s Answer
It really depends on what you want to do post-college. Remember that college "teaches" you more than your degree - how to work together, manage your time and deadlines, juggle multiple commitments, etc. - all of these skills are important for almost every job. But not every job needs a college degree.