Let’s talk about one of the most controversial topics surrounding higher education.
Is it worth it?
I frankly don’t know anyone whose current career or business venture is directly related to their degree.
Of course, there is also the issue of degrees becoming so popular, that ours might be “watered down.” Is a bachelor’s degree really the new high school diploma? Is a graduate degree really necessary to stand out to employers?
I think it depends on your industry and other qualifications.
What I will say from personal experience is that my degrees have opened doors that would have likely otherwise remained shut.
Outside of tutoring, my Masters degree makes me extremely competitive as a childcare provider. I can charge rates similar to what I earned in my corporate career. One childcare opportunity bled into an Executive Assistant position that eventually led to me helping open a couple of coffee carts. Learning to open and run that business has taught me more about how to run my tutoring business than I ever learned in school.
Do I think college is for everyone? Not at all. I know there are so many other fulfilling, meaningful, and lucrative paths folks can take.
For me, it was the best investment I’ve made in myself.
Most students who pursue the degree I earned go on to a PhD program. I don’t care to do that, but I know that what I’ve done so far has only scratched the surface of what this degree can help me accomplish.
This is not a post to say college is the best or right path. But if you’ve had doubters or self-doubt, I would like to tell you that you know yourself best. I think it is incredibly rare to *regret* earning a college or advanced degree (debt aside, I know that’s a separate conversation).
If you feel pulled in a certain direction, listen to that. Whether that leads to college or not, I think most of us could benefit from tuning in to our intuition.