Is The College Route Worth It?

College isn't for everyone. Here, I have listed several alternatives to attending college.

Is college worth it? This debatable topic sparks a lot of conversation, yet still there’s no universal fix-all answer. For many, a college education is a worthy investment; they believe it is worth the costs of taking out student loans because pursuing a higher education will further the chances of getting a better job, which equates to making more money.

Then, there are others who argue that college is too expensive and isn’t worth the amount of money you have to pay back in loans after you graduate. Furthermore, after graduation, it is sometimes difficult to find a job within your degree field.

I have to be honest with you…..I am a huge fan of college. In fact, I highly recommend it. However, there are advantages and disadvantages to making this major life decision. And it’s wise to look at them carefully. For some, school may have been a challenge. But there are many paths that can lead to a cheerful and independent life.

Below, is a personally compiled list of some alternatives to pursuing the college route for those who may be in limbo.

Alternatives to Pursuing the College Route

Trade and Certificate Programs

Learning a trade profession is a better option than college for many young adults. Trade professions are necessary for society to function, require less than four years of training, and often pay above average wages.

Trade or vocational programs offer a straight path toward specific jobs. This route is more of hands-on learning for students who struggle in school. There are programs in a wide range of areas, including web design, HVAC (heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning), beauty & cosmetology, massage therapy and medical assistance. Many colleges also offer certificate programs. More importantly, these programs tend to provide more supervision to help students keep up with their work. Many also offer internships that help students transition into the workforce.

Should I Take a Gap Year?

Have you heard of a “gap year” but unsure about what they are? I wasn’t too familiar with this term while I was preparing for college, but it has become quite popular and more common among American students. And many colleges will now allow students to defer enrollment for a year. People who take a gap year can get work experience, travel the world, do volunteer work, or explore other personal interests through internships or class.

The Military

The military may be an appealing option for those who thrive on structure and physical activity. The training involves a lot of practice and repetition. There are multiple branches to choose from including the Army, Air Force, Marines, Navy, and Coast Guard. These branches also have part-time reserve components where you work your civilian job, yet go to drill a weekend a month and two full-weeks a year. You must meet an age requirement, which varies by branch and pass a health screening and vocational aptitude (ASVAB) test.

There are numerous careers in the military and some even transfer to civilian employment much better than others once you leave the service. If that military career does not align perfectly with a civilian occupation, you can always take college classes while serving. Many universities cater to a military clientele and on top of that, the military pays for it. Talk about a win-win situation.

Every year, thousands of Americans consider serving in the military. You can make the military a very rewarding growth experience if you prepare yourself before joining.

Start Your Own Business

No business degree? No problem. You don’t need a degree in business to actually be in business. Today, entrepreneurs starting up businesses don’t necessarily need a business degree. After all, an entrepreneur makes his or her own destiny. While having a business degree could make some things easier, having a business degree does not guarantee business success. However, if you want to become successful in business, then you must become an expert and be good at what you do.

Are you ready to be the CEO of your own company? Start your own business? You can embrace the entrepreneurial spirit and start your own business in just a few minutes, thanks to websites like eBay, Etsy, Fiverr, and Amazon.

Work

If more schooling isn’t right for you, going straight to work can be a rewarding path. But in a tough job market you may have trouble getting a job, especially if you have no experience. If that’s the case, consider volunteering for a while to build skills. Try seeking out internships and volunteer work that interest you.

Many jobs require a college degree.

You can choose from plenty of exciting careers without a degree. But certain jobs like teaching, nursing, engineering and law all require at least a two-year degree. Graduating college can open doors to career paths that would be closed to you otherwise. Not to mention having a degree might put you ahead of your competition during the job hunt, even for jobs where a degree isn’t required.

You learn a lot inside and outside the classroom.

In college, you’re not just learning concepts, theories, or and taking exams. Your classes help you build skills you’ll need in the workforce, like critical thinking, problem solving, public speaking, teamwork and organization. Sure, you could gain this experience in other ways, but it’s a part of what makes the college experience a good investment for a lot of people.

I can’t forget to mention you meet some of the most amazing people and develop lifelong friendships. College is also a great opportunity to branch out and meet people from all walks of life. You never know what you might learn from someone with a different background than yours. Colleges and universities are usually melting pots of cultures, religions, political views, and other beliefs. While your core values will probably remain the same, you’ll hopefully gain a better understanding of where others are coming from.

You’ll have access to more opportunities.

Internships are one of the best ways to gain on-the-job experience and maybe even a job offer. But many internships are only available to current college students.

A typical college campus should also have guidance counselors, career centers, job fairs, clubs, and volunteer opportunities to help you gain the experience you’ll need to make yourself stand out in the job market. Many colleges work hard to make sure that a high percentage of graduates move directly into the workforce in their fields of study. That’s a win for you and for them.

I say this all the time: College is not for everyone. And just like there are plenty of pros to getting a college degree, there are some cons too. Let’s talk about them.

You might not need a degree to do the job you want.

A college degree can open doors, but what keeps those doors open? Hard work, determination, and perseverance. Some of the world’s wealthiest business people and entertainers didn’t even finish college let alone attend at all.

The following successful people either never enrolled in college or never completed their college degrees: Bill Gates-Microsoft founder; Steve Jobs-co-founder of Apple; Wolfgang Puck- chef and restauranteur; Beyonce Knowles Carter- singer, actress, and one of the greatest entertainers of all time; Michael Dell- founder of Dell, Inc.; Walt Disney- Disney Corporation founder; and Mark Zuckerberg, founder of Facebook.

They are proof that the traditional college route isn’t the only path to success.

Your degree might not land you a high-paying job.

Sure, having a college degree will help you bring home a paycheck—but not all degrees are created equal. A history degree might earn a starting salary averaging around $40K while an engineering degree, for instance, might earn twice that. You have to consider whether what you’d be making is worth what you’ll be paying for school. Seriously—graduating college with $100,000 in student loan debt to take a job making $40,000 just doesn’t make sense. And it doesn’t take a college degree to figure that out.

So, Is College Really Worth It?

I get it. Going to college is a societal norm for many. Generations of parents and grandparents that came before us, tells us to go, or friends and family members outline our collegiate paths to match the ones which they have traveled. After polling around, I’ve determined that many people go to college with the hope that it will help them have a better future. This can be true, as long as that hope is combined with hard work.

There are a lot of careers where a college education is required, or where having a college education will improve your chances for promotion. If you do decide that college is or isn’t for you, remember that it isn’t a debate about what’s “better.” It’s about doing what’s right for you; no matter what, you’ll be happier when you choose your path, and forge your way.

Remember, it is your life! Don’t be afraid to live it with purpose!

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Is The College Route Worth It?

Is The College Route Worth It?