As the holidays draw near, so does the winter graduation season. Yet again, our successful candidates will undergo the rites of passage before venturing into the real world. Parents and students alike eagerly prepare for this special event. The question is: are our graduates ready for what lies ahead?
More Graduates, Lesser (Well-Paying) Jobs: Will college be a good investment?
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Far beyond graduation gowns and all other superficiality, the preparedness of our graduates is paramount. This is a very big question that requires much thought and consideration in a country that produces a big workforce (with said quality education), however, there are not enough jobs to go around. In total, there will be about 3,314,600 high school graduates and around 1,836,000 college graduates for the academic term 2013-2014, and these figures are projected to rise continuously in the future.
Considering the figures, there are many factors why some high school graduates don’t proceed to get a college degree, and the greatest reason that comes to mind is the cost. This is not as simple as you might think. There have been many studies on this, and while the financial aspect is the biggest reason, there are many other reasons that are nonetheless surprising.
One of the obstacles cited is that it’s simply not needed — how so? Earlier this year, Goldman Sachs reported that there is a higher employment rate among high school graduates than their college counterparts. The study covers April of last year until April 2013, and it remains to be seen whether or not this trend continues.
The True Cost of Skipping College
Is this reason enough to disregard a college degree? Trend or not, no one can deny the benefits of a good post-secondary education. It provides stability and security in a precarious world economy, and this was proven during the Great Recession which debilitated much of those with a lesser academic achievement. Unless you’re a Jobs, a Gates, or a Zuckerberg for that matter, it’s still wise to take up and finish college. Competition is getting steeper by the day, so keeping up with the standards is a must. This is also the reason why many take post-graduate studies.
Then again, it is always easier said than done. Part of a successful college education begins before it actually starts, and this is where the big challenge comes — deciding which program to pursue. Some students spend longer time in college than necessary because they have not figured out which major to follow-through. This can be avoided with the right guidance and support needed to make a well-informed decision. We have to note that schools are implementing programs to help students decide which discipline to take. However, a thorough discussion among parents and students is still indispensable. So as not to waste a lot of time, effort, and money, the decision has to be something that both the parent and the student fully agree on and commit to.
Settling for Less: How to Avoid Making-Do with What’s Out There
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We have all heard of people practicing a different career from what they were initially trained for. If they are doing well in the field that they end up working in, how much more if they were trained for it? It’s unacceptable indeed that all those years that we painstakingly spent through college would just go down the drain because the academic program is not really what we liked in the first place. On the other hand, this could be the reason why others give up and quit altogether.
Here are some steps to consider and decide on before and during college. These are logical and basic steps but still worth noting.
- Know your strengths and skills. Determine the career/s that best suit/s you - Ideally, you should pursue your passion. This is very important as this basically should be the driving force that will propel you through college. Try considering fields of study which are not too saturated - if competition is very high, you’d risk not pursuing it in the long run.
- Have a timetable. Time management and goal-setting is essential. This helps you get things done in the best way possible within the time available.
- Have a positive outlook. Nothing can be achieved if you are a pessimist. Note that if you have done step one well, then you can dispel negativity and self-doubt.
- Socialize. Join clubs or organizations that suit your interests. This also helps reinforce step number three.
- Stay fit. Your health is as important as your studies. Eating healthy and exercising regularly is the way to go.
Transitioning Smart
Now, how do you transition from college to the actual workplace? By this time, you would have known the importance of research. It is wise that while in college, you are already on the lookout for potential employers. This could help align your mindset as well as your skills to those that are needed for the job, and those that are needed to thrive in the job market. Other pursuits are discretionary or depending on the need (e.g. post-graduate degrees).
It has been said that the most important things are not taught in school. Success in school does not also necessarily equate to success at work. So for all those who will be graduating, congratulations! You have earned it, and now is the chance to make it even better where it matters most—the real world.