The Future of Higher Education

Many college students after graduating will be struck with the realization that just because they have a degree, that does not mean they are guaranteed a job. My brother graduated from UWG last year, and it took him forever to find a job in his focused field. Once he did get the job at iHeart Media, he was once again dismayed when they told him he would make only $10 an hour. He makes twice that much bartending at a restaurant in Atlanta. I strongly predict that jobs which require higher education will not seem as important to the average person in a decade’s time. Blue collar jobs such as a crane operator or a mechanic will be in a higher demand, which will result in a higher wage. I consider this literally on a daily basis. Why am I potentially wasting 4 years of my life and thousands of dollars to pursue a finance degree when I could get a job being a welder or crane operator and make the same if not more money? When I have kids, I will not stress them with college. If they want to go to college to pursue a degree in a certain field they are passionate about, then I will encourage it. If they choose to pursue a trade such as welding because they are passionate about that, then I will encourage that as well.