Four years of hard work. Calloused hands decorated with blisters from taking strenuous notes. Early mornings coupled with late nights. Occasional breaks throughout the year. Extra-curriculars, service hours and homework, all taking time away from being with family, growing as a person.
Yet, all these things are sacrifices made for the future, for an opportunity to attend a college. But, the value of a college degree no longer dominates the economy or job market and it should not dominate lives either.
Since the pandemic, society has begun to no longer value college as it did before. In fact, this change has been happening for a while. In the early 2010s, 74% of young adults saw college as important in society. However, in 2023, only 41% of young adults in America claim college is only important, according to The New York Times.
As the value of a college degree has fallen, the value of a high school degree has risen. As of 2023, 45% of Generation Z think that high school diplomas are satisfactory for going into the job market.
The shift comes as people have become more and more aware of job opportunities or college alternatives. Since 2011, college enrollment has dropped by 3 million students. Meanwhile, almost half of parents of students who attended college said they would have preferred their student to attend an apprenticeship, according to The Wall Street Journal.
When asked about potential alternatives to college, Mr. Jared Reasy, who teaches 3D industrial arts and educates students about vocational skills, said, “There’s a huge economic shift that’s happening, or at least that we see in vocational circles, is that the… skilled labor positions are really hard to staff.”
The high demand for labor jobs has created an enticing job market for many young adults who seek college alternatives. Taking a job immediately from high school allows for four more years of development in the industry.
Meanwhile, college has become less affordable with the Education Data Institute saying that 34% of Americans between 18 and 29 have student debt.
With all considerations, college still poses some potential value. If used properly it can be a strong developmental period for young adults. However, there are alternatives to college and the development that come at a much cheaper price.
“Something that I think the LDS community does really well, is it’s just expected that you go into service for a year or two,” said Mr. Reasy. “It allows for time for maturation, like, you grow up a ton when you start traveling.”
Brophy, as a Jesuit institution, provides many opportunities for its students to engage in the service world. Engaging in service work can give students an opportunity to learn about foreign cultures all while maturing and gaining valuable life skills. This is similar to what college students experience but for a much lower price.
College is an experience for many Americans but in the ever changing modern-age, it is important to recognise that not everything stands the test of time. College is something that once dominated the lives of many for four long years. But as student loans and costs rise, the consequences of college have begun to last longer. It is important to consider that college is a societal norm, not a necessary standard for success.
