Is The Pursuit Of A College Degree The Right Choice?

Education and the attainment of knowledge is a wonderful and worthy goal for any person young or old, but in present times the question arises if the pursuit of a college degree is the right choice in establishing a career. While it is true that future employment options will be more science and technology based, it needs to be remembered that the world will also need plumbers, auto mechanics, bakers and truck drivers. There is not a singular determining factor in either deciding to attend a university or learning a trade, however it should be acknowledged that either route can be a viable avenue to a secure and happy lifestyle.

In our current society it seems that anyone with a high school diploma and the ability to come up with tuition fees can attend a "college". While some are truly institutions that ponder and promote deep intellectual achievement others are far less lofty in what is actually delivered to students. In either instance the costs of attendance are considerable, and potential students should assess the enhancement of possible future earnings against the massive debt that can be incurred while pursuing an education. In essence, is it really necessary to attend an 18 month program to become a nurse's aid, amassing $20,000 in student loans along the way to retain a $9.00 per hour job upon graduation? Probably not, but there are plenty of "educators" out there willing to gladly accept new students with tuition money in hand.

We have all heard the statistics that a college graduate earns x number of dollars over those that do not possess a degree over the course of an average working life. While this may have been an accurate depiction in the past it is highly doubtful that it is true in the present. Student loan defaults are at an all-time high, while parents that have supported their children's educational pursuits by cosigning student loans now find themselves contributing heavily to repayment while their adult children reside in their basement. To face the cold, hard facts a society can only support so many art history majors and the excess can easily find themselves working in positions that do not require much education upon graduation from a university.

Is the pursuit of a college education the right choice? Absolutely, if a given student has the drive and motivation to excel and stand out from the pack of others that will be competing for the same future job opportunities. A well conceived plan to achieve career goals is a must, and a plan a,b,c,d,e,and f is imperative in a constantly evolving economic climate. For those able to successfully navigate the inevitable pitfalls and emerge victorious the brass ring is still there to be had, it just requires a comprehensive assessment prior to ever setting foot upon a university campus.