Why go to college? People used to go to college to get an education and to graduate with a job waiting. It seems that now people are graduating with more than $25000 in debt and struggling to find an entry level position. Most of what I learned in college will never be applied in my professional life. My college experience was not a waste of time and I certainly don’t regret it, but I would like to think that we live in a society that would be able to support and train those that did not go to college?
I’m not suggesting that we have undertrained doctors and professionals, but aren’t there jobs that could train anybody who is willing and ready to give a good eight hour day. Very few of my friends are in a job where their college education is needed. Most of them learned their work on the job. My dear friend, a teacher, actually had to follow a strict method that was designed for anyone at any level to step in and start teaching using the same model. Of course we want to make sure our teachers are educated, I am using this example to illustrate that we, as a society, should invest in young professionals through training and not an abstract education.
I don’t want to undervalue education, but to say that college is the only way one can become educated in this day is simply not true. There should be a valid library full of resources in just about every town, no matter the size and the internet offers many resources on any subject matter. Some intitutions post online resources in a specific field of study. It does not compare to a formal and structured education but, we must recognize that information is everywhere and available.
I don’t know if college is right for everyone, I would just like my ideal world to offer more opportunities to those who decide for whatever reason that college is not right for them. Also, why should something that is so good for us cost so much money?
Alternatives to Higher Education
Service through AmeriCorps - they will give you money for school or student loans upon completion of your program
A Compromise - This is a certificat institution that focuses on the whole person that discourages big loans that would fall on the student. There are other institutions with similar values.
SocialVibe