Dear Future President,

Many young people, including myself, have put a lot thought into our future. And the questions on our minds is : Is college really worth it? Does it really matter? Can I find a good job without college? The answer to these questions will change the entire course of our lives.

College is the best way to meet new people face-to-face and experience the world outside from home. According to Goldman Sachs, “Many graduates find lifelong friends and experience huge personal growth. But, it’s an expensive way to do that.” Student debt is now over $1 trillion, because of college fees. The average student spends $20,000 a year at a state public university and $44,000 a year at a private university. This is the price we pay for an education.

But, is this the only way for us to get educated? No there are plenty of other ways to get educated without college. Instead of sitting in a classroom, students could travel around the world, apprentice or intern under a company they admire, or read books by successful people. And people who want to pursue a career in the arts, don't even really need college. These careers have a higher risk of a negative financial return, so it may not even be worth it.

And is it even a good education? Is college really going to prepare me for the future? Maybe not. In an article by The Hustle, they argue, “Does college even prepare you for a good job after graduation? If it does then why do college grads make up 40% of the U.S. unemployment pool? And why do 46% of college grads work jobs that don’t require a degree?” College isn’t preparing us for jobs.

Employers are frustrated that they can’t find graduates with the right skills. College graduates are frustrated that they can’t get better jobs. And what’s even worse is employers want to hire people with experience. They aren’t going to hire college graduates with no experience. They’re going to hire people who have had tons of jobs and experience. In an article by The Hustle they say, “It’s a horrible cycle because to get experience, you need a job. And to get a job, you need experience. So where does college come into play with this?” How is college getting us better jobs if we need experience?

There are many other ways to get educated without college. And there are ways to get a good job without college. Going to college is our own choice not anybody else’s. It’s not the end of the world if we decide to not to go to college and it shouldn’t be frowned upon.

Sincerely,

Brianna G.