I was reading this article from Money CNN regarding why and how education and college fees has skyrocketed over the decades. Education is no doubt important and there is no question that, theoritically, people with a college degree still earn more compared to those who don’t.
That is where I really feel uneasy about. I do have a college degree. But I wouldn’t say that what I learnt is what I need. Trying to cram 3 or 4 years of time and energy to satisfy a course requirement set out by the uni/college thinking that they are really doing a good job in making sure that you and I will get a good job, decent living or starting a successful business venture is sort of like an overpromise and purely marketing bullshit.
The question is “Do you really need a college degree to succeed in life”? I would say no. Given that chances are equal, I would say that people who know and are passionate about what they really want and willing to pay the price for it (put in hard work and time, not neccessarily money) will succeed in the end.
Believing that a piece of paper will get you somewhere and letting other people decide on what you want is really a no go. Paper is something, but the experience, hard work and useful knowledge gained is far more important.
And is college or university the only place where you can get them? I don’t think so but please leave your comments below if you think otherwise.
yurtdisi egitim fuari says
Why this web site do not have other languages support?
David says
Try using Google translate to translate this post into your language.
Imran says
I just love the quote on “Paper is something, but the experience, hard work and useful knowledge gained is far more important.” Although i did university here in UK London I have also done alot of experience in a retail industy and I have noticed that I have learnt Practically and theoratically alot more when i was working compared to when I was at University.
David says
Thanks for the comment, Imran. I think it all comes down to providing value, especially in this kind of economy. Almost everyone have a paper, but it’s only by providing value that we can gain our experience and be a better person.
college sux says
I’m really bored of college – it’s dull!
At the same time, I really don’t know my real forte. I think I lost interest in college soon after realising that I wasn’t getting into a “top-notch” institution…I’m just lost…
Gin says
I’m a senior in high school and got all this pressure to go, i’m going through the application process, but the only real reason i’m doing it is for my mom. I feel like my passion is not in the corporate world, i want to do more than that, but i don’t even know what it is. I don’t know maybe i’m just a kid thats confused with dreams that i can’t even fully see
NoFires says
Im 25 yrs old and I remember my teachers always telling me that without a college degree life would be pretty sad. For the most part I belive they were telling the truth. I didnt go to college and I was able to make 68k last year. My wife doesnt have one either and she makes on average 40k. We dont have kids just two dogs. College is good and the way to go these days just dont forget to have your target in your sights before you take the shot at life:)
joanne says
“Believing that a piece of paper will get you somewhere and letting other people decide on what you want is really a no go. Paper is something, but the experience, hard work and useful knowledge gained is far more important.”
love this!
what u said was totally true…
many people succeed without college education
for example bill gates, apple, dell,yahoo,mcdonald co-founder
Joha says
You are right, college degree couldn’t guarantee success since it’s something that we do, and not just something that happens to us passively. It should give an encouragement to those lacking college degrees but shouldn’t discourage those who are working hard towards getting one.
Andy says
Time affects a successful life. If you are not in the “groove” of a timely education, you will sink in a hole of the inability to go to school and will end up competing with your hard earned skills. Those hard earned skills will not reward you on the same level as an educated background because in an employment scenario, chance favors the prepared mind. GO TO SCHOOL! GET AN EDUCATION! GET THAT PEICE OF PAPER THAT SAYS “yes, he is qualified”, because 1 year out of college you could be in your dream job making a very good wage! Stay in the groove with your time before it’s too late. Time is not as flexible as you think when you get older. Trust me, responsibilities are more important than an investment in an education. Sometimes, more often than not, you will have no responsibilities if you stay in the groove and on an education path.
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THIS KID says
Andy. Responsibilities INCREASE as your education increases. Because people believe you are capable of doing more, and will therefore trust you to get more done in less time. It is a fact of the Corporate World, as well as any industry a person may want to enter.
Andy says
Your Corperate Education should have taught you to deligate with what your refering to but my reference (now a year old) to responsibilties was’nt about within the working environment. I was refering to the timeliness involved in obtaining an education. Resposibilties for maintaining your vehicle, relationships, home, family, debt (your life). My point was that you have a spread of timeline to be able to build your futures footprint. If you wait too long you will be enveloped into the rat race of life trying to convince your boss that your experience is better than some pimply faced kid with an education while applying to a higher position.