Editorial essay: College is just not for everyone : News-Record.com : Greensboro & the Triad's most trusted source for local news and analysis

Going to college seems to be the new "it" thing of the century. These days, nearly everyone seems to get in.

Yet, making college accessible to all people and making all people go to college are two completely different things.

If everyone had a bachelor's degree in something, what value would any degree hold? It wouldn't be long before people would need a master's degree just to flip a burger at McDonald's or a doctorate to drive a truck.

Yes, a college degree can open the door to opportunities. And for some, a four-year degree makes sense.

But others simply aren't cut out for the college experience, not because they cannot make it, but because they should be exploring other options.

The truth of the matter is, there are a lot of other options for people to enrich themselves, many of which have nothing to do with the "four-year plan."

We are told all our lives to "go to college, make something of yourself." It isn't college that makes you, but your own personal drive to succeed.

Even in our economic woes, there are still opportunities for people to learn a trade in auto mechanics, health care, aviation or other fields without going to a four-year college, and still make a comfortable living -- even more comfortable than some four-year graduates.

College is one way to get ahead in life, but it's not the only way. For some people, college even can be a deterrent to success more than anything else.

It's OK. You don't have to go to college.

-- DEXTER MULLINS

The writer is a junior at N.C. A&T and a News & Record intern.

Illiterati

May 5, 2009 - 9:53 am EDT

The bachelor's degree has been losing value since the 1980s, when everyone and their dog started getting one. Just a quick check of job ads will show that the most entry level of jobs require a B.A. Many low- to average-paying jobs, like social workers, even require an M.A. Let's face it, a degree is now essentially just a permit to apply for a white-collar job, which will eventually be sent overseas, sending us back to technical school to learn a more tangible trade.

Some of the best writers and editors I've ever hired, by the way, didn't get around to graduating from college. They learned journalism by doing it. Try to get that past shortsighted HR people these days!

Sawdust

May 5, 2009 - 12:08 pm EDT

Thanks to the near monopoly of the federal government over several decades, there are plenty of young people who don't belong in High School. All you have to do is to be around them for a few minutes. Not all, not even a majority in most schools, but plenty nevertheless. And thanks to the War on Poverty and the naturally rising illegitimacy rate, many of them belong in prison.

Panacea

May 5, 2009 - 12:28 pm EDT

Near monopoly of the federal government over what? Your statement makes no sense.

While I would agree that troublemakers need to be kicked out of public schools, it simply highlights the problem of our degraded education system. The problem is less the kids and more the lack of challenges we give the students, the lack of motivation for them to be successful and search for the path they want in life.

Even the trades these days require a sound education and basic skills in reading and math. A good auto mechanic these days has to be able to do more than turn a wrench. He has to be able to operate and interpret data from the diagnotic tools increasingly in the shop.

A good craftsman: carpenter, welder, machinist all need to be able to read directions (blueprints), take proper measurements, and understand the physical properties of the materials they work with.

I do agree with the LTE writer that not everyone is suited for college. It doesn't fit their interest or goals.

But our society does not admire or reward the hard worker. It rewards the "educated man", of which many BS/BA graduates compose fewer and fewer.

May 6, 2009 - 5:54 pm EDT

Monopoly of education, the subject at hand. Now does it make sense?

Get A Clue

May 5, 2009 - 5:21 pm EDT

Dexter,
You offer many cliches, but no solid evidence to back up your point. Maybe college isn't for you. A junior ought to be able to write a persuasive essay by now.
I'm just sayin'.
;-)

horbrastar

May 5, 2009 - 10:14 pm EDT

I teach in a local college and Mr. Mullins' comments are dead on, one of the best editorials I've read in some time. And there is evidence out there that he could have quoted had he chosen to do so. Look at the graduation rate at, for example, UNCG or App or ECU after 5 or 6 years. It is abysmal, and represents a huge amount of money flushed down the drain in tuition, room, board and lost wages.

moyerwj

May 11, 2009 - 5:18 pm EDT

Higher education brings a depth of knowledge and understanding which benefits the whole of society. Look around at the immigrant population, the higher paying jobs are held by college graduates. Consequently, laborers are under educated. Our prisons are flooded with the under educated of society. Off shoring white-collar jobs makes sense because of the availability of college educated workers in those countries. Clerical or administrative tasks are done effectively and the company off shoring saves on employee benefits. I don't think the writer meant to appear shortsighted by the statement college is not for everyone, but four years of college is never a deterrent. Education is dynamic and when one becomes complacent the ambitious step in and push you out of the way. There are many ways to succeed in the workforce, but never underestimate the power of higher education.

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