No matter where I find myself during periods of boredom — TikTok, Youtube, Instagram, Twitter (I refuse to call it X), etc. — someone is in my ear telling me how I’m going to regret my degree once I enter the workforce.
Two things. First, I’m already in the work force. Almost everyone my age is. Whether it’s to pay for tuition fees, pay off monthly bills, or earn some spending money, almost everyone is jetting off after class to punch in. During a period where more people are being laid off than being hired, it feels a bit redundant to be told a degree is a wasted investment when employers are seeking college graduates. The job market is only getting more competitive. Why not further your chances of standing out with your higher education accomplishments?
Second, a college degree is more than an education. When you graduate from a higher education institution, it implies you come equipped with real-world experience, a personal network, and determination to work in your field of study.
A Degree isn’t a guarantee
Sometimes life happens. I can’t tell you how many people I’ve met that work in a completely different industry than the one they studied or intended to study. This doesn’t discount the hard work and discipline it took to get the degree. As long as you dedicate yourself to your coursework, you can become multi-faceted and stand out as a potential hire. It’s good to be flexible and avoid restricting yourself to one area of expertise.
Sometimes passions change or there aren’t viable career options for your degree. Statistically though, degrees pay off in the long run.
You need more than an education
From personal experience, I’m much better off going to UNCO than entering the workforce without an education. I’m a first generation student, so I had little to no connections in the business world aside from my father’s friends, who are all states away and only provide connections in the construction business.
While at UNCO, I’ve built connections with colleagues, participated in unique opportunities, and made friends that I’ll likely work with in the future. I can’t guarantee the helpfulness of every professor or peer that you build a relationship with. That all comes down to the individual.
But I’ve never felt more supported or guided than when I came to college. The head of the Chicana/o & Latinx Department at UNCO is always willing to work with me and my fluctuating schedule and create new opportunities for me to succeed. They recognized my work with an award from my college and offered to recommend me for a prestigious fellowship. Because of that, I’ve gained confidence in my expertise and my future.
To anyone determined to tell me I’m wasting my time and will regret my degree, you’re mistaken. Nothing guarantees success and fulfillment, and nothing goes exactly as planned. But by enrolling myself in a higher education institution, I’m versatile enough to go into any field I’m interested in while continuing to expand my knowledge.
As an avid reader, what more could I ask for?