Is Higher Education Worth It?

The millennial generation that I am apart of, is feeling stuck. Most of this generation are in their 20’s and 30’s. At this point in our lives, we are supposed to have this “adulting” thing somewhat together such as having a career and buying a home. A good portion of us though are at a crossroads in life decision-making. Many of us millennials are trying to move out into an apartment or house of our own but simply cannot afford it. Now, there is a multitude of factors causing this roadblock but, a major setback is paying off student loans. Other circumstances may include more financial habits of not saving, budgeting, or investing. Another cause could be income from the current job cannot support that lifestyle change of moving out.

Unfortunately, my generation is the first to feel the financial struggle of having the burden of student loans as a coming issue. Then you have my parents from the Baby Boomer generation, who were married and had a house by my ripe age of 26. Now here I am struggling to find my apartment on a teacher’s salary. Granted I’m trying to find a one-bedroom apartment on Long Island for about $1,100, which is like trying to find good bagels and pizza outside of New York. That means its impossible for those who needed clarification.

Ifind it extremely ironic that you attend college to receive higher education to obtain a good job. Meanwhile, your good job barely helps to pay off your loans. Then, you’re stuck paying off those loans for 10 years or more. In my career field, you also need to have a Master’s degree to even qualify for a job. That means more schooling and more money. I went to a SUNY university for 4 years along with attending a private college on Long Island for 3 more years. for grad school. If my math is correct, which could be off since I teach Social Studies, that’s 7 years of higher education. Which leads to paying off over $100,000 in student loan debt. OUCH! It hurts typing that out.

So, this leads me to have a quarter-life crisis moment. I live at home which is all well and good. I have a free room and board along with a free meal plan. Living at home also helps me save an immense amount of money every paycheck. The concern is I want to move out and have my place but, I cannot afford it. I want to have my place to one, feel like a real adult and two, have a shorter commute to work. Unfortunately, the great amount of student loan debt bill per month is blocking my next step in life. It’s frustrating that I did everything I was supposed to have a bright future yet, that exact path is what’s hindering me. I worked hard in school to receive good grades to be accepted into a good college. Which led me to land my current job as a 7th and 8th grade Social Studies teacher in the city. Now, I want to move out, and I’m unable to because I have to pay back my high education funds.

As an educator, I do have a little bit of a biased on going to college but, at the end of the day is it truly worth it? I agree that college is necessary depending on the career field you want to be in but, it’s now pushed so heavily on everyone to go. Not everyone NEEDS to receive a higher education such as college. For some people, school was never for them. I see that in my students on an everyday basis. Some people thrive more in trade skills such as construction, electrician, plumber, carpenter, mechanic, etc… Those are great jobs that pay well and have good pensions. Those career options do not require university education. Why should someone be forced down the college road and be stuck in major debt if the career they truly want does not need for that? Trade school training is not encouraged in schools. It’s more of last resort but why is that? Those jobs contribute heavily to society. Why are they frowned upon? How about entrepreneurs? That route is seldom mentioned. Starting your own business does not require a great deal of higher education.

The road to university is heavily encouraged because it’s all about the money. Colleges have become more of a business rather than a place of education. Universities charge you for everything at insane rates. Plus, without a scholarship, those rates skyrocket. Sure, the college experience is a once in a lifetime adventure filled with independence and excitement but, at what cost? Don’t believe me about the money pit? Colleges or not decreasing their rates even if they are all online this year because of the pandemic. So students are paying for the room and board they are not even using. Follow the money.

Now, I’m not advocating for getting rid of the option of college but, rather it not be the only option for students. I tell my classes all the time college is not the only route to a successful life. You can go to college, or trade school, or the military, or start your own business. The pressure for people to go to college to give more to the business of higher education is irrational. People deserve choices and students should be aware of all their options of finding a career after college. I know plenty of friends who went to college because they were “supposed to” and hated it. They failed out and wasted all their money on loans to go. I also know plenty of people who went to trade school because they loved working with their hands and building things in their workshops. They found their purpose in trade school which led to a job right away.

So many people graduate college with a degree and struggle to find a job. Most companies want 2–3 years of experience but, how are we supposed to get a job to gain experience if no one will hire us without experience? Seems like double edge sword to me. Going to college does have it’s pros though. You gain a wider scope of knowledge, you take classes to prepare for your career, you learn to live on your own, and you learn about yourself. The sad part is what college leaves you with. Here I am 4 years out from undergrad and 1 year out from grad school and essentially I’m back in high school living at home.

Soto recap, yes college is necessary depending on what career you want to be apart of. For example, I needed to go to college to be a teacher, it would sort of ironic if didn’t. Make sure it’s something you want to do and not what your parents are pushing you towards. Look up other options if college doesn’t feel right to you. It’s not the be-all-end-all for a successful future. Now, I’m paying $800 a month for student loans, and it’s not the vibe. Higher education is an option but, remember its not the only option.

“The best education you can get is investing in yourself. But this doesn’t always mean college or university.” -Warren Buffet

Originally posted on Medium.com in "Age of Awareness"