The most debated topic in reference to education...Is a college degree still worth it? Obviously everyone will have a different opinion on this issue. As a recent graduate this is an issue that I take a deep interest in as it directly affects my peers and I.
The state of the economy still looks bleak with no chance of immediate turn around. No matter what anyone says the job market is not what it was many years ago. There used to be a time when a Bachelor's Degree sent you apart from your competition and was a one way ticket to financial safety and job security. As much as I am disheartened to say this I consider the Bachelor's degree to be equivalent to a high school degree at times. The job market is so saturated with candidates and not enough positions that at times it seems you are competing with hundreds of other applicants. Does this mean I regret getting my own Bachelor's Degree or that I would try and talk someone else out of going to a four year instituition for the same degree? Certainly not. There is not a day that goes by that I regret getting my higher degree and I am proud to have furthered my education when so many others in the world do not have the chance to. I hope that others value their education as much as I do and use it to better themselves. Do I think there may have been a different option that would lead towards better opportunities? Absolutely. I have been out of college for two years now and If I could go back and do it again I think there is a good chance I would have chosen a different path. Below I outline my advice for people researching their career options or recent graduates like myself.
1. Specific Trades > Liberal Arts
I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in English. As I mentioned I loved my degree, what I learned and I have hope that as I build my resume, my experiences, my networking etc. I will get that dream job of mine. I also look at the harsh reality of the situation that this may not happen for a while and it will not happen without hard work and determination. The future of the liberal arts degree is at best disheartening. In today's economy I believe what truly has excellent opportunities is specific trades. When you graduate from a trade school you are already set apart from your competition. You have learned a specific trade or skill--something that not everyone knows. Trade schools offer certificates and associate degrees in a variety of areas from medical degree such as radiology, nursing, dental/medical assistant to other trades such as plumbing, heating and cooling, etc. Often times you save thousands of dollars and the job market is not nearly as tough as when you graduate with a liberal arts degree.
2. Experience. Experience. Experience.
My biggest revelation is that a degree does not guarantee a job whats so ever. In today's job market you need so much more. A degree that stands alone will not guarantee you any kind of position. Everyone will tell you it is experience that is matters and I cannot reiterate how much truth there is behind this. I had a 3.7 GPA and was actively involved in campus and thought this would make me stand out against other candidates. The harsh reality is that recent graduates need an abundance of real world experience. While I agree it is frustrating to graduate with a 4 year degree with tons of debt and take an internship for $10 it is absolutely necessary sometimes. Yes, you may have to start at the bottom. No, you will not be making $60,000 with benefits. It is the experience that counts and will get you those fantastic opportunities. It will take hard work and it can be frustrating but we have chosen a field that is saturated with other candidates. Do whatever you can to make yourself stand apart from everyone else.
3. Use the one tool you have control over: Networking.
We live in the generation of computers. Use this to your advantage. As I mentioned before it is of the upmost importance to make yourself stand out against your competition. There are so many different networking options to look into. Create a LinkedIn profile and start getting recommendations. Build a website for your job search. Start a blog. Make your resume one that people remember. Create your own business card. These things make seem overwhelming or unnecessary but as an entry level candidate I promise you employees see this and they love it. It DOES make a difference. I have done all the above and I believe it is the sole reason I have gotten the opportunities that I have.
Others will argue that a four year college degree is just an excuse to drink and party. I must disagree. I worked hard for my degree and I respect everyone else that dedicates four years and 30 years of debt toward obtaining theirs. A higher degree is something to be proud of. You can't do many things in this world without an education. When the learning in the classroom stops the real world learning begins. It will be hard. It will be a long journey but I do believe it is worth it. Do understand that there are other options and paths available to you. Some will be easier and some will be harder. It is up to you to choose which one is best for you. Good luck!
The state of the economy still looks bleak with no chance of immediate turn around. No matter what anyone says the job market is not what it was many years ago. There used to be a time when a Bachelor's Degree sent you apart from your competition and was a one way ticket to financial safety and job security. As much as I am disheartened to say this I consider the Bachelor's degree to be equivalent to a high school degree at times. The job market is so saturated with candidates and not enough positions that at times it seems you are competing with hundreds of other applicants. Does this mean I regret getting my own Bachelor's Degree or that I would try and talk someone else out of going to a four year instituition for the same degree? Certainly not. There is not a day that goes by that I regret getting my higher degree and I am proud to have furthered my education when so many others in the world do not have the chance to. I hope that others value their education as much as I do and use it to better themselves. Do I think there may have been a different option that would lead towards better opportunities? Absolutely. I have been out of college for two years now and If I could go back and do it again I think there is a good chance I would have chosen a different path. Below I outline my advice for people researching their career options or recent graduates like myself.
1. Specific Trades > Liberal Arts
I graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communications with a concentration in Public Relations and a minor in English. As I mentioned I loved my degree, what I learned and I have hope that as I build my resume, my experiences, my networking etc. I will get that dream job of mine. I also look at the harsh reality of the situation that this may not happen for a while and it will not happen without hard work and determination. The future of the liberal arts degree is at best disheartening. In today's economy I believe what truly has excellent opportunities is specific trades. When you graduate from a trade school you are already set apart from your competition. You have learned a specific trade or skill--something that not everyone knows. Trade schools offer certificates and associate degrees in a variety of areas from medical degree such as radiology, nursing, dental/medical assistant to other trades such as plumbing, heating and cooling, etc. Often times you save thousands of dollars and the job market is not nearly as tough as when you graduate with a liberal arts degree.
2. Experience. Experience. Experience.
My biggest revelation is that a degree does not guarantee a job whats so ever. In today's job market you need so much more. A degree that stands alone will not guarantee you any kind of position. Everyone will tell you it is experience that is matters and I cannot reiterate how much truth there is behind this. I had a 3.7 GPA and was actively involved in campus and thought this would make me stand out against other candidates. The harsh reality is that recent graduates need an abundance of real world experience. While I agree it is frustrating to graduate with a 4 year degree with tons of debt and take an internship for $10 it is absolutely necessary sometimes. Yes, you may have to start at the bottom. No, you will not be making $60,000 with benefits. It is the experience that counts and will get you those fantastic opportunities. It will take hard work and it can be frustrating but we have chosen a field that is saturated with other candidates. Do whatever you can to make yourself stand apart from everyone else.
3. Use the one tool you have control over: Networking.
We live in the generation of computers. Use this to your advantage. As I mentioned before it is of the upmost importance to make yourself stand out against your competition. There are so many different networking options to look into. Create a LinkedIn profile and start getting recommendations. Build a website for your job search. Start a blog. Make your resume one that people remember. Create your own business card. These things make seem overwhelming or unnecessary but as an entry level candidate I promise you employees see this and they love it. It DOES make a difference. I have done all the above and I believe it is the sole reason I have gotten the opportunities that I have.
Others will argue that a four year college degree is just an excuse to drink and party. I must disagree. I worked hard for my degree and I respect everyone else that dedicates four years and 30 years of debt toward obtaining theirs. A higher degree is something to be proud of. You can't do many things in this world without an education. When the learning in the classroom stops the real world learning begins. It will be hard. It will be a long journey but I do believe it is worth it. Do understand that there are other options and paths available to you. Some will be easier and some will be harder. It is up to you to choose which one is best for you. Good luck!
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