Why Going to College Is Still a Good Idea in 2023

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Is college/university still a good idea in 2023? The short answer is…yes. There’s a lot of news coverage about the student loan crisis. At the time of this writing, the current student loan debt for the U.S. is $1.77 trillion. Wow! That’s crazy right? I agree, this number is astronomical, however this shouldn’t stop YOU from going to college/university. When you take out a loan, whether its from a school or a bank it’s your responsibility to pay it back. Some students picked majors that quite frankly aren’t in demand for the U.S. job market. As a result, many students after completing their degrees/programs found themselves caught between a rock and a hard place. Once they got a job in their respective fields, it job didn’t pay as high as expected. One way to avoid this is to do some due diligence and get a good idea about the current demands for that skillset prior to enrollment. As a general rule of thumb, majors in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and blue-collar trades (Trucking, HVAC, Plumbing, Electrician, Wielding, and Contracting) are all great career fields that offer a comfortable wage; especially if you have a family. Below are three reasons why going to college is still a good idea in 2023.

1.????The job market is still very competitive.

The job market is without question very challenging to navigate. As inflation rises, wages remain fairly constant. As a consequence, many Americans are thrusted into a rapidly changing economic environment. AI (Artificial Intelligence) has been rumored to displace millions of workers in the service sector. One way to survive this metaphorical wave of financial and economical turmoil is to go to college and earn a degree in order to get a higher paying job. Yes, that’s right, I said go back to school. Why? The answer is simple. Despite the increases in inflation and slow job creation, top employers are still looking for educated individuals to make contributions to their organizations. It doesn’t matter whether you have an Associates, Bachelors, or even a Master’s degree in an unrelated field. Seeking higher education and completing that particular program proves to employers you have the ability to work towards a goal and finish it.

2.????College or university teaches you to think critically.

Many people ignore the numerous skills that you develop as a result of furthering your education. One thing you learn while going to school is- how to think deeply about a specific subject. Reading several chapters of literature each week throughout the semester, writing several essays and term papers, and taking exams is all designed to encourage deep thought and retrospection on your end. You will more than likely perform some of these seemingly repetitive tasks in your career. You might not take exams per say; however, you might be a part of a board meeting and are asked questions about your understanding of new policies, procedures, and regulatory guidance. Everything you do in college/university is a part of a methodology that guides you to learning new ideas. Once you refine your study habits, then you will more than likely master certain courses that you take throughout your college career. That same level of dedication and hard work will be needed to excel into higher levels of responsibility for any organization.

3.????The opportunity to network.

Whether you are in college or have graduated the chance to meet new people with similar career paths is abundant. This is really great because you can build an entire network of interesting associates and friends; which could make your job search easier in the nearby future. Especially, if you participate in alumni activities and groups on campus. A doorway of lifelong relationships, valuable partnerships, and even interpersonal relationships is opened if you decide to engage with your classmates. Even if you decide to change majors, you can still keep in contact with your former classmates and build a network. Building a network is all about connecting with people, sharing ideas, and providing some level of positive reinforcement or support if needed. Millions of the most successful businesses around the world have been built on this very concept. So, if you’re unsatisfied with your current occupation and socioeconomic status, then it might be a great idea to go to college/university or get back into school, change your focus or major, and build a network of quality like-minded individuals.?