Manage Your Life
Sunday, November 29, 2009
"College Education" - Worth it or Not?
user
I have an daughter who will be graduating this year and continuing
her education at a top university. This is a very exciting
time for everyone and we look forward to her wonderful success in
the future.
I was struck the other night by John Stossel, who does a
segment called "Give Me A Break!" on 20/20. I love
this show, because I know he tells it like it is. This night
he talked about the "Value of a College Degree"
and considering my daughters nearing days, I was
quite interested in what he might say.
Here is what he had to say and I was quite alarmed:
Increasing numbers of Americans go to college. Many go
deep into debt to pay the high cost. Is it worth it? Colleges tell
Americans that over a lifetime, a college degree equals a million
dollars more income. But that promise is misleading. It includes
super-earners like Google's founders and other billionaires who
skew the average. And more importantly, the kind of students who
attend college are already more likely to be successful than those
who don't. A recent book by Charles Murray argues that many
kids who go to college just aren't equipped to handle the work.
Graduation statistics seem to bear that out. Dr. Marty Nemko, an
education consultant and career counselor, says: "If
you're in the bottom 40 percent of your high school class … and
today, colleges are recruiting lots of those kids … you have a very
small chance of graduating, even if you are given eight and a half
years." Would vocational school be a better choice? What is a
college education really worth?
Well, I would like to know what you think:
is: "College
Education" Worth it or Not? Please click on this
link and take our poll.
Visit our website, "Its Our Reality!"
Magazine, for other interesting articles at www.itsourrealitymagazine.com
Related: worth, univerisity, stossel, school, john, important, high school, education, college, americans
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Posted by springtime Tue Jan 27, 2009 8:22am PST
Sure, vocational schools are precisely what many students need. Also, many graduating seniors should first test the higher academic waters at a community college. After that first year, many students change their minds and majors. Many decide college is not the right choice.
I like Stossel, and he is so right about the high cost of a university. It has spiraled so out of control that many valedictorians cannot afford the experience. But it remains true that if you want to work in a warehouse, you will probably find employment and be able to sustain a life style.... and need no university degree. But if you want the corner office with the view of the park across the street, you will need that university diploma.
Stossel graduated from Princeton University; he wouldn't be where he is today without that lofty education.
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Posted by Country Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:33am PST
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Posted by Jennifer C Tue Jan 27, 2009 10:48am PST
Its a tough call...I think it really depends on the student. I went to college with a plan in my head and everything. After the second year I wanted to change majors then I went into a depression for two more years(other issues caused that). After two more semesters of bad grades and mediocre work I quit. I racked up major student loan debt and didnt even finish. Here am I four years later 28yold and Im planning on going back to finish.(I am not happy at my current job) I may continue to be in debt for the rest of my life but I will have that satisfaction that I finished what I started and the ability to do something that I really love.
I think there should be a period of time before college. Most kids straight out of highschool arent mature enough to handle the workload and stress. My problem was I tried to have too many things on my plate..I commuted an hour to my university and worked a full time job..It burned me out.
I plan on taking night classes in the fall while I hold down my current job until I finish 1 1/2yrs God willing!
Talk to your daughter see where her head is at.
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