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Value of a College Education Wanda Cambell Skills for Professional Development William J. Arnold December 17, 2002 Abstract Less attention is given these days to obtaining a college education than in years past. In the mid-70’s, when I was in high school, one was expected to attend some type of post-graduation educational facility. These days, high school students are being prepped for hiring on a job straight out of high school. This paper will point out the positives of a college education and how it can dramatically affect one’s career choices and opportunities for the remainder of their working days. Hopefully more students will focus on obtaining a college degree or degrees and open doors of opportunity for themselves in the future. Value of a College Education Introduction In my career of twenty years or so, I have worked a variety of jobs. I have learned a variety of software, office machinery, and skills. The level of positions I have held has advanced from entry-level to the next step up, but no farther. Why? I strongly believe it is because I do not have a college degree. Shortly after I graduated high school, I entered a four-year college. I did, indeed, spend four years there, but came away with a potpourri transcript, because I could not decide on a major. Finally I gave up altogether. In the years following I attended college classes intermittently, but only adding to the potpourri mix. It has been several years since I have set foot in a classroom. I have become really tired of my ho-hum career, and so I have recently decided to return to school to get my Bachelor’s Degree in Business, with a concentration in Accounting. Future Outlook Without a College Degree Career Effects Limited work Options. One thing that has been frustrating over the years is the limited types of jobs I am able to obtain. I had a change of life situation when I left a career with the State of California. I took a few months off, and when I decided to return to work I looked at jobs that were not considered support positions. Each one required specific knowledge of the field (medical, legal). Entry-level jobs, or jobs with on-the-job training could not pay nearly enough for me to live on. So I eventually went back to civil service, in a support staff position. I was searching the internet for examples to support my view, and I came upon a website similar to an “Ann Landers” page. One student wrote: Okay, here’s my situation. I’m 28 years old working at a job I hate, however, because of the way I spent money when I was younger, I can’t leave the steady paycheck. I decided to take a Java class.... I’m about 3 weeks into it and I’m really enjoying it…. I could see myself getting certified as a programmer by this summer. Will that be enough to get a job? The answer this young man received was sobering: “Unfortunately your prospects are very dim, at least for the near term …. There are several key challenges you have: 1) No degree; 2) No experience; 3) No contacts.” (Ocampo, N. and Pembroke, M., in a message posted at http://saloon.javaranch.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb =get_profile&u=00003617, January 31, 2001). In this same post, M. Pembroke encouraged the young person to begin working toward a college degree. Limited Challenges in the Workplace. While learning a new job can be exciting for a little while, over time it can become mundane. There are only so many new types of fax machines, copy machines and computers to learn. I found myself, in my career history, changing jobs every two to three years for lack of interest in my job. It was always the same thing: ordering supplies, making copies and dispersing them, setting up meetings, answering and screening phone calls. I do not want to work as someone’s assistant any more. I want to have my own career, enjoy it, and perform it well. Limited Advancement Opportunities. Prior to working for the State of California, I worked at an insurance company, United Services Automobile Association (USAA).
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