In a perfect world, everyone everywhere would have open access to higher education and training, provided to them for the eventual payoff of having a country full of highly skilled individuals across all disciplines contributing to the Gross Domestic Awesome. But you know what? In a lot of ways, the world sucks right now. If you’re asking yourself, “Should I go to college?” in the hopes of finding some all-encompassing solution for the future, then maybe its time to stop, take a breath, and realize that the answer to that question is changing along with the times. Even though it may seem a terrifying prospect in an age where you’re constantly beaten over the head with the notion that only college or university will make you into a worthwhile functioning human being, could the answer actually be no?
Should I Go to College? The Answer Isn’t Always Black and White
I’m not against higher education in any way, shape or form- in fact, I think it is an experience that everyone should have; what I am against is the unfortunate turn the road to continued learning has taken. Before you decide to jump head first into college or university, take a look at the economic and political climate, and weigh out the factors, myths, and outdated concepts that very rightly should effect your decision. There’s an excellent chance “Should I go to college?” will become “I should pursue learning in life.”
Here are some things that you need to consider, especially if you are unsure of what career you are looking towards. “Finding yourself at college” does not mean what it used to, and it can be a lot more than you signed on for.
The Degree Gets the Job
There are so many careers that require a degree, and I think it is fair to say that no one wants to be operated on by a doctor who hasn’t graduated from medical school or the equivalent. However, increasingly through the last decade (and really all history up to this point), we’ve been pushed towards the understanding that a degree makes you better and that all jobs will eventually need a degree. This just isn’t sustainable, and the evidence is stacking up across North America. You graduate with your beautiful, hard-won piece of paper, and you discover that there are millions of people just like you. We’re all clamoring after the same jobs, flooding the labor pool and competing for less and less pay. Desperate to gain experience we couldn’t get while in school, volunteer work and internships are now opportunities to fight to the death over, even though it is only for the dubious honor of not actually getting paid.
The even scarier side to this phenomena is that other jobs don’t want to hire college and university graduates because you obviously have a career in mind that you will move on to, and an eye for higher pay. We’re seeing a dearth of exceptionally intelligent people, hungry to prove themselves, being looked over by both sides of the spectrum. Pointing this out isn’t a fear mongering ploy; just a reality check that you have to consider in order to get the most out of your life and your goals. Do you have a career path chosen? Take the time to do a quick peek at industry numbers and take them into account while you do your planning. Don’t choose a discipline just because you heard somewhere that the pay is good and there are tons of jobs! This seems like common sense… but you know how that goes.
Paying Your Dues
Another answer to “Should I go to college?” is just one more question: “Do I have a plan for the inevitable debt?” Tuition is increasing as steadily as our collective blood pressure, and having a plan when entering into your post secondary career (sometimes for the second or third time!) is critical. If you’re working now, can you pay each semester with the money you’re making- especially with the consideration that you will have to cut your hours? Do you have the incredible luxury of asking the bank of mom and dad to help you out? Will you consider a state school that may save you some cash over relocating or paying out of your ass for the privilege of ‘prestige’?
If not, student loans can be a daunting prospect, and the unfortunate reality that we are seeing is that each year there is a fresh batch of horrifically unprepared grads entering the world with soul crushing debt on their shoulders. For each bright-eyed and bushy tailed successful new employee, there is someone who will have the specter of their student debt casting a long shadow over their futures. You can manage debt and student loans, but it takes a very different mindset than the consumer driven, buy now, pay later obsolescence orgy we’re becoming used to.
So Why Even Try
Before “Should I go to college?” becomes “Should I run into the mountains and live with wolves?” try looking at education through a few different lenses. While college and university are the first things we think of as we run through our ‘what’s next’ scenarios, consider some of the other options for learning that may be open to you. There is vocational training and trade schools, community college and local business short term training courses, apprenticeships and distance education from accredited programs… and yes, even from the same colleges and universities that are currently scaring the crap out of you.
If there’s something you’re good at and that you love to do, perhaps consider a small scale business or start-up Instead of focusing on why it will be hard, look into the benefits your state or country provides for small business owners, and estimate some ground costs. Depending on your passion, you may find that a home business or a website will cost you less than your tuition and will provide you with the chance to pursue what you actually dream of doing. Is it for everyone? Hell no. Will it be hard? Hell yes. Can you say the same things about college or university? Absolutely.
Before giving up on learning as another thing that’s had a viking funeral along with the economy, take some time for yourself and look at the myriad of other ways to prepare yourself for your bright future. When did the world suddenly go the route of glorifying “You’re taking the time to work and carefully decide what you want to do? All right, I’ll have fries with that, hyuk hyuk hyuk”? There’s an excellent chance that while you’re pondering your future over a Big Mac and fries, a college graduate served them to you. It’s not that he did something wrong- but it is that there are things you can consider that will make a better chance for your employment and educational opportunities to go right.
If it means you delay your inevitable entry to college while you continue working and exploring your options, don’t be afraid that that somehow makes you a failure. If you’re able to take the time to look at all the paths that the world has ready for you, you’re much more likely to choose the right one with great success. And you may find that the one that you do find as your best fit doesn’t answer “Should I go to college?” with an immediate and unquestioning “yes.”