I am in California for my daughter’s graduation. I felt I should have been more excited and emotional leading up to the event. What a great milestone for her. However, it is not my milestone, through I am a contributor. Also, it is one of those milestones where there is a long lead up, so when the day finally comes it is a great moment but there was ample time to think about it. Of course once the event started and we could see her in the procession it was quite emotional. The speakers also delivered and had some points that struck some emotional chords. The reading of the names is also pretty cool to see all the students have a big life moment and then the final procession brings the emotions back. Great stuff.
I am very proud of her as it is a great school and I get a sense it was not an easy path to finishing in four years with a solid GPA. With a degree in physiology I have no doubt she is poised to do great things for a number of people in their times of need. So I am excited as she launches into a new chapter. I also feel some sadness for the group of friends she has as they all have to disperse to different places. But there is also hope that these are long term friends that stay in touch and get together regularly.
The value of a college education is being questioned. I certainly see many instances where those who have the ability to earn a college degree are doing so and then being positioned for a career which requires a degree. With the average salaries for those with a college degree earning at $135K and those without around $65K, that is a significant difference. Especially when you think about most people spending 40 years in a career. Of course there is the 4 years of not working and the cost of a college education. But choosing to not pursue a degree if you have the opportunity seems like a really bad idea.
I can see the disappointing scenario where a person pursues a degree and is not well suited for the academic rigor, wastes a significant amount of time and money only to exit school for a career that does not require a college education. I assume this is where more people are questioning the value of a college education. I have experienced this with my students. When I have shared with my students in one-on-one discussions my frustration with the disengaged, distracted students, several of them have shared that there are many students who absolutely do not want to be there.
I think about the student with a grandparent who did everything they could to have their child go to college. The student’s parents get a degree in technology and have a successful career. So when it comes to their child approaching college age, they tell them they are going to go to college and get a degree in a technology field. This in turn likely has all the makings of a college student who wants to do anything but study technology. Likely why they are doing so in a business school.
To end on a positive note, I do think about the person who has the ability to earn a degree but is not in the situation financially or for other reasons to go to college. I have to believe with all the aid programs and not-for-profits working on this issue that there are fewer people in this situation every year. At least I hope so.
