College Graduates: Was it worth it

Question

Was college really worth it? I graduated in 2007 with a degree in education. I am having the hardest time finding a job. They all say we want somebody with more experience but how am I supposed to get experience if nobody is hiring. I know that a lot of the Souther states are hiring but I already did that and working in Arizona was a real eye opener. It made me think the education system is a joke. Flat out.

I sometimes think college was just a waste of four year and an excuse to still be young.

Is it just a scam?

Answer 1

Yes.  It's worth it.  I went back and got my BA while in my mid 30's, married with two kids.  It's very hard.  I'm still working on my master's degree now, and I'm sick to death of school, but I can't quit til  I finish or that will all be wasted.  I have been a teacher for two years, going on three now, and I love it.  But a degree will help you "be promotable" whatever field you are in.  I agree with you about the education system.  What an eye opener, after working in the retail world.  In school systems, they have meetings, but they don't want anyone to really say anything or disagree with the administration.  In the real world, where profit is the driving motive, problems are discussed in meetings so people can decide what to do and make an immediate change; so we can all bonus this month, right?  I have absolutely been blown away by the craziness of it all.  But my education is priceless.

Answer 2

I think it depends on what you do. maybe the classes you have taken are not looking for any help. nurses and people in the medical field always need help, if you want a good job you can be an RN. I heard that they need their associates degree. that is what I am going for when I graduate high school.

good luck finding a job! =)

Answer 3

I graduated college 3 years ago with a bachelors in history. I even decided to get certified to teach social studies in grades 4-8. I have applied at 30 school districts in the city I live in (Dallas) since April of this year and have gone to 5 teaching job fairs. I only got one phone call so far and that was for a school district I did not even apply for. But they did not hire me even though I thought the interview went well. (The interview lasted for 1 hour!) Now I guess I'll have to substitute..........

I haven't had any luck finding something either. All the jobs I've had in the last 3 years have paid me 10 dollars or less and we all know you can't survive on a 10 dollars or less. Those places did not care if I went to college or not. I've also read you're supposed to make 15 dollars and upwards if you have a bachelors degree. Not for me anyway.

Personally, I did not gain anything from college except the ability to write, study, and research better. I still can't find a job even though society has assured us that if we graduate college we can find a job and make decent money, which is a lie.

As for making friends while in college, I did not meet anyone other than my brothers friends who were going to the same school for graduate classes. The university I went to was in Houston, and everyone who went there had other things to do once their classes were finished with and from the various people I talked to, they did not have a lot of friends at the university either. So I don't think college enriched my life, according to some of the feedback answers you're receiving who claimed college did for them. And personally, the whole college experience is not worth it alone if you graduate and can't find a job and have to take jobs that pay next to nothing for the next few years. Why waste a bunch of money on a degree that can't even land you an interview let alone a job? To me that's a no win situation combination.

And you're right, how can you gain experience when you can't even get hired? That's also a load of bull.

If I had to do it all over again, I would either not go to college or major in something that has a future, even though I thought becoming a teacher would be something in need of since I hear it all the time from the media that everyone is hurting for teachers. I guess you and I are in the same boat because I want to do something in education too.

For some, college might have been worth it. For others like myself I think college is a waste of time since I can't even find a good paying job.

Answer 4

Yes, it's worth it.  I'm 35 and just getting my BA (I graduate this December).  My degree is in English.  Afterwards, I'm going to do a Master's degree (probably in English Education) in the evening, while I work during the day.  But even if I get no job, the education experience will have been worth it.

I'm trying not to think too much about job prospects and whatnot.  

I think it's because I'm just so darn much older than people usually are when they're doing their undergrad schooling....I just really appreciate the college experience.  Having gone for years without a degree, I know how it feels -- socially and self-esteem wise -- and it's not good.  I have to say, I went back to school for my BA almost just as much for my self-esteem as I did to boost career prospects...

Answer 5

I think it depends on several factors, including your major, where you went to school, where you're looking for a job, what you did in college outside the classroom.....

I graduated Winter 2008 with a double in English and International Relations and had a job within three weeks of finishing finals. I attribute this hands-down to an internship I had with the company last summer, but nevertheless I am using my degree and doing something I really enjoy.

I know that right now it's really hard to find a job in most any field- other than the company I'm at now, I didn't hear much from anyone- but don't get discouraged. If you really feel that education is not something you want to go into now, perhaps look at a graduate program that can expand your knowledge in another field. Or if you do have a passion for it, maybe look into substitute teaching or AmeriCorp or something. I'm not very familiar with the specific options but if it's something you love, why give up?

Answer 6

My husband graduated in 2007 as well with a bachelors degree in commercial aviation. He also graduated with $103K in school loan debt. He still needed to go to flight school to get the rest of his ratings/licenses, but it was going to be an additional $50K. Most people think commercial pilots make $100,000+. So did he. But AFTER he graduated and he and all of his friends weren't able to pay back their school loans or find jobs, they learned the awful truth. You have to fly for a regional airline before flying commercially. Low pay (less than $20K/yr) and crappy hours (on call all the time) was a reality they were all about to live. My husband said, "to h**l with that. I'm just going to find a different career." Now he's training to be a systems developer and we're hoping he'll have an actual career job by Christmas.

Teaching is hard to get into. I was an elementary ed major for my first 2 yrs of college, but the more I learned about it, the more I hated  it. Now I'm a senior, interior design major. Hopefully this career choice will be more promising.... =/

Good luck!