So, over the Thanksgiving holiday I had a conversation with my sister about the importance of college. It is really an ongoing conversation regarding the importance of getting a degree over starting your own business. For example, Bill Gates is often brought up as a successful person who never went to college. The irony of using Gates as an example is that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation may give more money to help students, especially minority students, go to college than any other foundation on the planet. He even has a blog to encourage students to finish college (http://www.gatesfoundation.org/foundationnotes/Pages/bill-gates-101011-improving-college-completion.aspx). Nonetheless, our conversation has got me thinking what is the value of a college degree?
The focus of the conversation over the holiday was my nephew, my sister’s youngest who recently graduated from high school. He has an interest in videography and is making plans on how to break into some sort of video business. My sister owns her own business and has probably not worked for someone else in 30 years. I am a professor, so it should be no surprise to my readers that I am pushing my nephew to attend college. It is interesting, in many ways I feel as if we are fighting for my nephew’s soul. Who will win? The promise of financial freedom? Or the tried and true stability of the promise of an education? Inspired by our conversations, I have decided to write this blog. What is the value of college education?
Independence. One of the biggest lessons I learned in college was how to live on my own. With the safety net of home and parents limited (eight hours away in my case), I could not just run home every time I needed help or was struggling. I was forced to figure out things on my own, and these lessons were invaluable to my development, both emotionally and spiritually. I do not think I truly learn about MYSELF until experiencing college and being on my own.
Multi-tasking. While in college one must study, work (I worked 20-30 hours per week), socialize, and juggle other important miscellaneous activities and still be successful. This is a skill that I can’t stress enough to its importance.
Social Skills. I have never met a more variety of people than I did attending college. My experience was especially diverse at Berkeley, my alma mater. To this day I remember having amazing conversations with my atheist friend, Connie. We would get into knock-down arguments over God and religion and then after go for lunch or dinner. It taught me how important it was to have friends that thought differently than me. This is something I think most people are missing from their lives. Trust me, it is important. I do not want to be surrounded by people who think just like me. It is not enriching, nor growth inspiring.
Exposure. You don’t know what you don’t know. One of the largest advantages to college is to be exposed to different subjects and ideas. There is no other forum that a person can take classes and talk with others about economy, history, science all on the same day. When I entered college I was planning on becoming a lawyer, but through various experiences at Cal, I learned that I loved animals and started the pathway that I am currently on. Most students change their majors multiple times, but it is their opportunity to explore that I think is most valuable.
Higher Probability for Success. The fact is that most people require a Bachelor’s degree at minimum to obtain a successful job. Is it possible to be successful without a degree, of course, but the Gates stories are rare. Even owning one’s own business is a risky adventure. Most businesses fail in the first two years. In 2008, 15.5 million people claimed to be self-employed and their median personal marginal federal tax rate was 10 percent, which is an income range of $0 – $8,025. Only 4.1 % of the self-employed were in the marginal tax bracket of 33% or more (Taxable income of 164,550-357,700 for 2010). The bottom line: being successful via less traditional means has a lower probability of success.
Finish What you Start. This is my number one reason for going to college. It teaches you to finish what you start. The reality is that a Bachelor’s degree is not special. It will not prepare you for a job any more than anything else, but what it will do is show a potential employer that you can finish what you start. Think about how important this skill is. Can you think of people in your life that don’t finish what they start? Of course you can. It might even be you, but this is a crucial skill. The ability to overcome adversity to finish a task can not be overlooked or underestimated. Having a degree says something about a person, and that’s a fact.
And no, it doesn’t have to be a degree. But we are impressed by people with accomplishments. And being the best at Call of Duty doesn’t count. So, get your degree, it is a wonderful accomplishment, but more important it will teach many things along the way. Is it the only way, of course not, but if you find yourself not doing much these days, or wondering what to do next, it is not a bad way to go and you just might learn something. Because a mind is a terrible thing to waste.
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No matter what it is that you do, I hope you love it. Do what you love and things will be alright. I chose Berkeley because it had the most beautiful brochure of all the college material I got. It wasn’t till after I got accepted to I realize that it was a good school. Probably not the most intelligent way to pick a school, but it worked out and speaks to my personality. I’m just sayin …
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