To Degree Or Not To Degree?…

Steve Jobs, Richard Branson, Dave Thomas, Rachael Ray. What do these personalities have in common? Besides being entrepreneurs, they all have/had no formal Degree, yet became successful. But does that mean that the rest of us should too? And if we do, will we have the same luck to make millions and become rich and famous? Rather Risky.

Just Get A Job!

There are many arguments for individuals to forget about going to college because it’s too expensive. Parents now ponder whether the investment involved in sending their high school graduate to college is worth the cost. “Just teach yourself”, is the common saying. There are many YouTube videos, podcasts that can be listened to, social media, and other networking groups, which people claim can be used to learn while eliminating the expense of going to college. Those who argue against obtaining a college education claim that students graduate High School and ‘Just Get a Job’. But the question many ponder—is college education worth the cost?

Sure it is! Here are a few thoughts to on how to manage the tight rope of college expenses and student loans.

1. I encourage students enrolling in college to do what they are passionate about. For example, Steve Jobs when he dropped out of college, he then decided to sit in the classes that he was passionate about. Who said that he could not have done that before?
2. Borrow only what you need. Often students borrow more than the amount needed, then waste the excess funds on things that do not contribute to education, or on things that they can do without.
3. Search for scholarships and apply for financial aid. These require some work but are resources that do not need to be repaid. It is often over-looked or individuals do not bother to apply, or write the needed essays to qualify.
4. Use time wisely to avoid repeat.  Failing courses comes at additional costs to do the same course a second time.
5. Once your course of study is done, search for jobs in the same or related field to get the maximum return on the dollar invested in the education you attained. This is where it is often alluded to that a lot of persons work in jobs where they are under-employed. This happens for example in a case where a Journalism graduate work in sales in a retail store that pays salaries less than they are qualified to receive.

So yes, college is worth it! There is a benefit to both individuals and society overall. Besides enhancing your decision-making and critical thinking skills, individuals with college degrees earn more than those without. So be Loyal, stick with it.

Having doubts about your ability? A coach or mentor, can help. Let’s connect.

Cheers!

Author: Dr. Shelly

Dr. Shelly Cameron is a leadership strategist, author, and executive coach dedicated to helping individuals uncover their purpose, elevate their leadership potential, and achieve meaningful success. She is the creator of the GreenLight Leadership Framework. As the curator of SuccessfulLeaders.net, Dr. Shelly shares insights drawn from her extensive experience in organizational development, human resources, and personal growth. She is passionate about empowering professionals to navigate change, manage stress, and design fulfilling lives through intentional goal setting, self-discovery, and continuous learning. Dr. Shelly's research on Success Strategies was published in the JAABC Business Journal. She is also the author of several books, including works on leadership, success, and cultural intelligence. View all posts by Dr. Shelly