People Do Not Really Need to Go to College - Research Paper Example

People Do Not Really Need to Go to College Introduction There have been diverse arguments regarding the need to pursue higher education based on a variety of reasons. At the onset, one might perceive that college education is a prerequisite for a successful career or generating increased potentials for earning higher incomes. However, one strongly believes that some people are really not fit for college education. The current essay hereby aims to support the contention that people do not really need to go to college as evidenced from diverse secondary sources that justify and rationalize its bearing. The discourse would hereby be presented by initially presenting some statistical information on the perceived value of college education. Likewise, the essay would be determining the reasons why people generally go to college, followed by the reasons why people should not pursue higher education. Six articles focusing on the topic on determining the real need for a college education would be the main source of information for the current essay. These published articles were written by various authors in different electronic sites ranging from CashMoneyLife, Financial Planning, Imperfect Parent, FinCon12, Should I Go to College.com, and Business Insider. These would be supported by other authoritative references to validate one’s contention. Statistics on College Education In an article written by Leah Goldman entitled “Is College Worth It? 57 Percent of Americans Say Nope” which is published in the Business Insider in 2011, results of the Pew Research Center study revealed that although 57% of the general public perceive that a college education in the U.S. effectively provides value to the students, still a remarkable 94% of parents who were surveyed expressed firm conviction that their children are expected to pursue a college degree [ CITATION Gol11 \l 1033 ]. The same study revealed crucial findings such as: 22% of the general public perceive that college education is affordable; 86% of college graduates have indicated that the investment for a college education was good; that an average annual income of as much as $20,000 would not have been made possible or achievable without a college degree; and that the general public has classified pursuing a college education is the least factor needed for a successful career[ CITATION Gol11 \l 1033 ]. The higher earning potential of college graduates in future professions were likewise corroborated in Should I Go to College.com which revealed that “college graduates earn on average over $1,000,000 more in a lifetime than those without a degree” [CITATION Sho11 \p "par. 4" \l 1033 ]. Reasons for Pursuing a College Education There were two crucial things that college gives to students, as disclosed by Philip Brewer in his article entitled “Don’t Go to College to Learn” and published in the FinCon12 in 2009, to wit: (1) the opportunity to network with acquaintances and peers; and (2) a firm certification through a degree [ CITATION Bre09 \l 1033 ]. The value of a college degree was significantly highlighted by Kathleen Porter who justified the ultimate rationale and contended that “though the cost of higher education is significant, given the earnings disparity that exists between those who earn a bachelor's degree and those who do not, the individual rate of return on investment in higher education is sufficiently high to warrant the cost” (par. 3). Therefore, despite the ever increasing costs of college tuition and educational fees, the Pew Research Center study confirmed that there have likewise been a steady increase in the number of students who enroll from the 1980s up to the present times [ CITATION Gol11 \l 1033 ]. Other benefits of obtaining a college degree, as revealed by the Institute for Higher Education Policy, include increased potentials to generate higher savings; more chances for both personal and professional mobility; marked improvement in the quality of life that could be accorded to their children; increased abilities for decision-making; and greater opportunities to indulge in leisure activities and diverse hobbies [ CITATION Ins98 \l 1033 ]. Likewise, there were reported non-monetary benefits that include possessing wider perspectives; gaining increased cognitive abilities; exhibiting consistent behavior; becoming more democratic; as well as passing these traits to the next generation [ CITATION Row02 \l 1033 ]. There was even one study conducted by Cohn and Geske whose findings indicated that there is in fact a positive link between earning a college degree and attaining good health. As averred, “parental schooling levels (after controlling for differences in earnings) are positively correlated with the health status of their children" and "increased schooling (and higher relative income) are correlated with lower mortality rates for given age brackets" (Cohn and Geske, cited in Porter par. 7). The increased knowledge and exposure to a wealth of information in various academic areas make college graduates more informed and sensitive to maintaining a good lifestyle that is essential in supporting and sustaining a good health. Reasons for Not Pursuing a College Education Regardless of all the benefits and advantages noted, still supporters of not requiring a college education for all students have provided their respective reasons and justifications. The article written by Goldman clearly disclosed that from the Pew Research Center Study, the identified reasons for not going to college range according to the following: (1) the need to support one’s family (67%); (2) preference for working and earning money (57%); (3) exorbitant costs and therefore not affordable (48%); (4) the belief that no further higher education is required (34%) and finally (5) students who applied where not accepted in colleges and universities (5%)[ CITATION Gol11 \l 1033 ]. The primary reason, the need to support one’s family justifies finding employment at the soonest possible time with the theoretical background and skills gained from secondary education. The reason is thereby closely related to preference for working and acknowledging that earning income is of primary importance than pursuing a college degree. Likewise, as statistics have already revealed, the cost of a college education becomes increasingly high where the average tuition and fees as of 2010 range from $25,000 to $30,000 for a four-year degree from a private university or college [ CITATION Gol11 \l 1033 ]. Predominantly students and their families shoulder the cost of college education and at some point in time, students resort to student loans which make settlement immensely challenging. Finally, more and more restrictive entry requirements are being imposed by colleges and universities that make potential students fail during the application level. These reasons confirm that college education is not fit for all. While a college degree has been deemed beneficial, some supporters of not pursuing a college education asserted that it is not required (Guina; Financial Planning). Further, as emphasized by Guina, there are innumerable career paths that do not necessariy require a college degree. From among those noted are professions as athletes, actors, and musicians that require exemplary talent and skills in arts to succeed. In another article entitled “Kids, don’t go to college” and published in Imperfect Parents, the current trend of outsourcing jobs, even of responsibilities that required a college education, confirm that pursuing a four year degree course could in fact be useless. It was specifically disclosed that professions such as those requiring the use of technical skills are mostly difficult to outsourse, such as tradesmen, carpenters, electricians, welders, and plumbers [ CITATION Imp09 \l 1033 ]. Analysis and Recommendation From the information gathered and analyzed, it could be deduced that pursuing a college degree could not possibly and viably fit all students. The reasons for pursuing higher education are varied and depends on the ultimate personal and professional goals of the students. For students who have other plans and career paths outlined in life, especially professions that require technical skills or those that veer towards the arts, do not necessarily need to go through a four-year college degree. As justified from the reasons why a college education is not at all necessary, the priority of supporting one’s family and the immediate need to earn money has been found to be most valid. Anyway, deciding to pursue a college degree does not have a prescribed time frame. One who opted to work first and determine later that there is a need to hone one’s knowledge, abilities and skills in the profession that one intends to specialize in or in cases of decisions to change one’s career could always opt to enroll for higher education courses at a much later date. The American Council on Education (ACE) has published a report entitled “Framing New Terrain: Older Adults and Higher Education” in 2007 which contained relevant information that indicates increasing numbers of older aged population deciding to pursue higher education either for the first time or for the nth time. Due to developments in technology that lengthened time span and the ability to have higher quality of life, those people within the age group of 55 and above have been reported to indicate that the reasons for participating in higher education are: “intellectual stimulation, sociability,and skills enhancement (which) top the list (Manheimer, 2005; cited in American Council on Education (ACE) 12). This fact proves that pursuing college education does not necessarily need to be accomplished right after secondary education. As averred by Brewer, the general perception that going to college immediately after graduating from high school could be a source for not being mentally, emotionally, and financially prepared. As advised in the Should I Go to College website, there is a need to gather all the pertinent facts first before making the crucial decision. Continuing learning could be delved into on a personal perspective and one could gain the same amount of knowledge as intended and expected from a college degree. As emphasized by Guina, “an education is different from a degree. An education can be formal, informal, self-directed, on the job training, professional licenses and certifications, or any other form of education” (par. 7). One could therefore learn as much as one needs for the career path chosen from other sources of educational pursuit. Conclusion The essay has successfully achieved its objective of supporting that contention that people do not really need to go to college as validated from diverse secondary sources that provided ample rationalization and justification. From initially providing relevant statistics that presented crucial information on the value of a college degree through the study conducted by the Pew Research Center, the findings indicated diverse perceptions and cognizance on the role that college education plays in future careers. Through the identification of reasons why people should not go to college, including the eminent need to support one’s family and a determination that one’s personal and professional goals do not fit the academic pursuit, one is led to conclude that a college degree, although important, is really not a necessity for a successful career. One could continue learning through other means and approaches and could even opt to pursue higher education in later years. The relevant lesson learned is that one should not force oneself to pursue a college degree without being determined, committed and prepared to delve in it. One of the reasons why colleges and universities provide discriminating entry requirements is to enable them to determine and sift those students who are fit and earmarked to earn a college degree. As appropriately concluded by Guina, “there is a lot of emphasis put on achieving a college degree, but it’s not the right choice for everyone. And it shouldn’t be. Choose the career path which makes you happy, work hard, continue to learn and provide value, and success will follow” (par. 15). One definitely agrees. Works Cited CITATION Gol11 \l 1033 : , (Goldman), CITATION Gol11 \l 1033 : , (Goldman), CITATION Sho11 \p "par. 4" \l 1033 : , (Should I Go to College.com par. 4), CITATION Bre09 \l 1033 : , (Brewer), CITATION Ins98 \l 1033 : , (Institute for Higher Education Policy), CITATION Row02 \l 1033 : , (Rowley and Hurtado), CITATION Imp09 \l 1033 : , (Imperfect Parent), Read More