What if going to school isn't that necessary?
And what if your education now is doing no more than draining your bank accounts empty without guarantees of future return?
Will going to school still be worth it?
The answer is yes, but I'm not going to tell you why since it's basically not what I'm here for today (and partly because it's more challenging if you discover it yourself) .
Instead, I'll be presenting five education-related issues this year that are messing up and can possibly mess up your dream jobs in the future.
1. In-campus security
Contrary to the ideal concept that schools should be a safe and conducive place for students to learn, the number of in-campus violence and crime has been increasing. Worse, ages of offenders and perpetrators get younger as time goes by making us question whether or not schools are still safe enough for our kids.
The recent Massachusetts murder of a teacher by a 14-year-old is just one example. As tragic as it is, reality is clear in telling us one thing -- that even schools guarded by security is no place for sure safety.
The thing is, school-related crime incidents is nothing new. It has been going on for several years as records show.
How will it mess up your career?
Big time. While you can argue about the slim chance of you being the next target, the risk it has is just too big to be ignored. It’s no longer an issue of whether or not your school has the latest and most advanced technology available in the market, danger is always present. And it’s only a matter of time before it comes knocking on your doorstep. The best thing everyone can do? Practice caution.
2. Race and Ethnicity gap
How would you react if I tell you that where you come from directly affects your academic performance? Doesn’t ring so good for a career start, does it?
Unfortunately, research results prove exactly just that. While these findings are still subject to changes given the scope and limitations of the study itself, the fact remains that it is happening in our society.
In the assessment done by the sociologist James Coleman, he concluded that black children are trailing behind their white counterparts even if their schools are as well equipped as the other.
Now this is a real-time problem.
In a typical American business arena (and in the whole world) where competition is tight, academic performance might be a determining factor in getting hired. While experience matters more, if you're at par with the other applicants on this account, your educational background can surely be a winning weapon.
So how can this mess up your career?
This can definitely mess up your career. If you let it.
As I've said, racial issues remain debatable, and we've seen successful people who proved this wrong. Our current president is the perfect example. Again, this can mess you up if you let it. So why would you?
3. The rise of private/homeschool education
For the past decade, America has seen an increase of those who chose homeschool education over the traditional one, and there's nothing wrong with that. But along this rise comes the increase of more competitors applying for the same jobs you want.
Remember that these homeschoolers don't necessarily follow the same module taught at public and private schools. Their learning materials are customized in line with how they prefer to learn and this in itself is already an advantage.
Source: www.home-school.com
This doesn't mean however that they're better in all accounts. What it tells us is that you got a lot more competitors than those you meet on field.
As subtle as it is, it's a threat. And unless you show employers a significant edge against your competitors, you're going to have a really rough ride along the way.
4. Emergence of more online education amidst traditional learning
As if homeschooling isn't enough, online education has also started to invade the academe on the 21st century.
Results on the 2012 survey of online learning reveals that over 6.7 million students are already taking online lessons during the fall season in 2011. It's a 570,000 student increase than the last year.
Well who wouldn't want it? Online lessons are after all more accessible and diverse than the traditional one. You don't need to take separate class sessions for two subjects when you can always go for a hybrid lesson online.
Convenient, isn't it?
But wait. Think about this. What happens when most students start to take more online lessons and you don't? What happens when up to date information are introduced online first before actual academic institutions? (Because naturally, online lessons are global, meaning more discussions from all around the world.)
You got it.
You will fall behind from all the others.
Pressured?
There's a reason for you to be. Whether we like it or not, online education is now a trend. It has become viral and is accepted worldwide- for anyone who wants to supplement their education at school.
Sooner or later (if companies are not yet into it), employers will be looking into online courses supplements as part of hiring considerations.
Source: www.sloanconsortium.org
5. Increasing bulk of student loans
Just when you thought you are out of that hellish academic cycle, the real world then welcomes you with a staggering debt that is almost impossible to pay.
On an average, one in 10 graduates accumulate at least $40,000 of debt.
What?
You read that right. The amount is big enough to make student debt the second largest type of consumer debt after mortgage. At present, two-thirds of the entire American student population will graduate with a certain amount of debt - which would certainly eat up their first and consecutive salaries.
How does that sound?
Instead of enjoying the fruits of your labor, you'll be faced with a bigger priority of paying your debts. This is true to a lot, but it's hardly natural considering how it generally affects not just your budget, but also your parents and the entire economy too.
Now that the year's coming to an end and graduations's coming up, think about how your year went through. How were the issues I mentioned above affecting you? And if they did, what will be your next move?
If they didn't, what will you do?
Leave some comments and let me hear your views. Discussions are very much welcome!
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