The COVID-19 pandemic has led many high school graduates to reconsider their future plans. With increasing financial challenges and concerns about student debt, the choice to pursue higher education has become more uncertain. For many, the question remains—is attending college still the right path in today’s world?
As you consider the different options available to you, remember that college isn't a necessary step after high school and may not suit everyone. However, attending college offers numerous advantages, such as opportunities to network, the potential for higher income, a broader range of career choices, specific skill development, and personal growth.
Weigh Your Options
Not everyone is suited for college, so it's important to envision your desired life and career. What kind of life do you want? What career will bring fulfillment?
Fortunately, with the wide range of online courses and certifications available, you can gain the necessary knowledge and skills based on your aspirations. Online courses can adapt to the ever-evolving job market. If you're uncertain about your career path, take some time to explore your interests. Use your interests as a starting point to discover your future.
Additionally, don't forget to tap into your personal and professional network. Many job opportunities can arise through connections. If you admire someone's career, reach out to them for guidance. Learn how they achieved their success and ask for suggestions to follow a similar path. Shadowing them or finding a mentor can give you invaluable insights into whether a certain career is right for you.
Networking
The time you spend receiving your college education should be fun but know this is also a good time to be preparing for your future. One thing you can do now that your future self will thank you for is networking. The resources available to you as a student will be invaluable for you to cultivate connections you can draw upon for years to come.
Attending college allows you to get to know experts in your field as well as brush shoulders with those who are up and coming. Look for groups or clubs within your department or major to help you access internships, career advice, as well as help you prepare your resume and practice for interviews.
Career Services Center
The career services center at colleges is a free resource available to students, usually current and alumni alike. Career services can guide you as you explore different majors and careers, analyze your strengths and interests, help you craft your resume and brush up on your interview skills, and assist as you set up your professional LinkedIn account.
You may have access to online and in-person job fairs, a career coach or career mentor, or other career-related resources. Look for available internship opportunities. While internships aren’t known for the amazing pay, the experience you receive will outweigh your paycheck (if you get one at all). Internships may or may not be required for your program, but it’s a good idea to try to obtain some internship experience during your college years.
Increased Income Potential
According to the 2021 Bureau of Labor Statistics, workers who had receive less than a high school diploma earned the lowest median weekly earnings with $626 a week and had the highest unemployment rate of 8.3%.
In comparison, those who had earned a bachelor’s degree had a weekly median earning of $1,334 and an unemployment rate of 3.5%, while those with a doctoral or professional degree were earning over $1,900 a week and had unemployment rates of 1.5% and 1.8%.
While there may seem a number of financial reasons to hesitate before entering the world of postsecondary education, there is clear evidence that salaries can be much higher with a college degree.
Increased Employment Opportunities
College degree holders are less likely to be faced with unemployment as opposed to their high school diploma counterparts. While it is impossible to predict whether you will be faced with unemployment, it is reassuring to know that college grads seem to be better able to deal with economic turmoil.
During the 2020 pandemic shutdowns, the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco reported that 52% of high school grads were working, as opposed to 72% of those holding bachelor’s degrees. The industries many college grads found themselves in were quickly able to adapt to remote work.
Personal Development
While college is definitely a steppingstone for your future career, it also can open your eyes to new interests and passions. There are opportunities to take courses outside your major to teach you new skills and develop new talents. This could be a class focused on a particular sport (i.e., snowboarding/skiing, racquetball, or fly fishing), or learning something that you find interesting, such as a typography, cake decorating, or book binding course. The variety of courses available depends on your school, so check your school’s course catalogue.
Many schools also offer study abroad opportunities. Colleges and universities allow students to pursue a particular program or courses in a foreign country. While you earn college credit, you can also learn about the culture, food, people, and enhance your world view. Study abroad opportunities may be a semester, a summer, or even a year. Talk with your college for more information regarding opportunities to broaden your horizon!
