Attention High School Graduates: It's Time To Reconsider The Path That's Expected Of Us

Unlike many parents, there was no rule that I had to go to college in my family. My parents’ main expectation was that I either attend school or work full-time. But when I was a senior in high school, there was still this unspoken pressure from everyone that the next step would be college. I knew being a hairstylist was my career goal, but I still went to community college for two years, and it ended up being the most useless time in my life. 

It held me back from starting my cosmetology apprenticeship sooner, and now I have a degree that is absolutely useless to me. Everyone tells you that you can’t get a job without a degree, yet I got a degree, and my career is based on a trade I learned, not my college education. It wasn’t until years after college that I was listening to a speaker who suggested college was sometimes unnecessary. My natural instinct was to disagree, since I was told my entire education how necessary it was. But as I pondered this, I realized that my own college degree was worthless to me, so maybe I wasn't the only one. 

Is the Price of College Worth the Reward?

We’re basically brainwashed to think that college is a must to be successful in life. But are people really benefiting from the degree? In a recent study conducted by the New York Federal Reserve Bank, it was found that only about 27% of people use their degree. The study reported that many degree holders couldn’t find a job with their degree, while others simply didn’t get a job related to their degree. Imagine spending six figures on an education, and it’s not serving any purpose. Recent statistics show that the current average federal student loan debt balance is $37,113, and for private student loan debt, the average balance is as high as $40,339.

Only about 27% of people use their degree. 

And not only are students (and parents) swimming in student loans, but studies have shown that there is little to no improvement in skills following a college education. In a study done by sociologists Richard Arum of New York University and Josipa Roksa of the University of Virginia, a sample was taken of 2,300 undergraduates from 24 colleges and universities. These students took the Collegiate Learning Assessment exam at the beginning of their freshman year in 2005 and again at the end of their sophomore year in 2007. The study reported that after two years of college, 45% of students showed no significant improvement in their writing ability, critical thinking, and reasoning. 

“The College Experience”

I always hear people making the case that college is important for the experience alone. It’s the first time we're going to live on our own. But let’s think about what the college experience really is. Let’s say we convince ourselves that we need to go to college. We live in a dorm with a friend or a total stranger. We have a meal plan, aren’t working, and report to no one. If our parents are paying for our college experience, then we aren’t learning financial responsibility, work responsibility, or real life skills. 

Even if somehow this experience taught us something, is it worth six figures and forcing our parents (or ourselves) into debt? If we really want to learn to be independent, our parents should have us pay rent at home or we should enter the workforce with a full-time job or at least an internship after high school. 

When Is College Useful?

Obviously, there are careers that require a college education. And I'm not against someone going to college if they have a valid reason. Author Charlie Kirk explains this best in his book, The College Scam, stating, “If you want a college education that delivers real return on your investment, forget about majoring in Humanities, Liberal Arts, History, or Sociology… There are still areas of emphasis in American universities that frequently deliver a bang for your education buck. I’m speaking of the STEM fields – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. If you want a career in a STEM-related field, you’ve picked a field where many universities in the United States still excel – at least for now.” 

If college is the best option, find one that will educate, not indoctrinate. 

Before deciding to go to college, we need to really sit down and determine whether it’s a good investment or not. Maybe we want to enter the medical field, or we want to be an engineer. These are valid reasons to go to college. But a degree in gender studies can only get you so far in life. 

How To Succeed without a College Degree

Here are some tips from The College Scam on succeeding in life without a degree:

1. Formulate your life plan. Reflect on what kind of life you want to have. Make a written plan and set goals. Refer back to your written plan daily, and strive to accomplish your goals.

2. Build your skills. Try online colleges, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), Work College (colleges that allow you to work your way through college without accumulating debt), vocational training, job corps, and apprenticeships. 

3. Join the military. The military will teach responsibility, resilience, and independence. 

4. Find a mentor.If you want to be successful, it’s smart to take advice from successful people. Find someone who you admire or who has the lifestyle you desire, and take their advice. 

5. Volunteer. This enhances your resume and builds your skills. Prospective employers will appreciate this. 

6. Start a business.You will need a business plan and a financial plan for this, but with a good mentor and advisor, it’s definitely possible. 

7. Get on a payroll. We all have to start somewhere. Even if it isn’t your dream job, start working and earning money, and get some experience for your resume.

8. Apply for an internship. An internship at a job you aspire to work at is a great way to learn the skills and get your foot in the door. 

9. Join a startup accelerator. This is a fixed-term program in which you become part of a cohort of would-be entrepreneurs.

10. Move. If there are no opportunities in your town, start fresh in another place. 

11. Live on the cheap. Make a budget and stick to it. Don’t overspend on unnecessary luxuries when you’re trying to build a life and make a living. 

Closing Thoughts

Just because something feels like the norm doesn’t make it the best option. When graduation is creeping up, it's time to have an open and honest discussion with yourself about life goals and aspirations. Rather than your parents forcing you or society and your peers pressuring you to go to college with no idea of what you want to do, and spending money you don’t have, present other, realistic options. As long as we can learn to work hard and set goals, we will be successful in life. If college is truly the best option, the best tip is to find one that will provide an education rather than indoctrination. High school graduates should enter into this next phase of their lives with more life skills, not less.

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