12B: Is college really doing its job?

*What is college exactly needed for? Is it as important as people portray it to be?*

                Growing up, college was something that we were all taught was a necessary thing, and that basically without a college degree, success was something that was almost as attainable as walking on the moon for the average person. We were all told that a college level, four year degree opens up doors that only a GED won’t open.

                College or an institute of higher learning is something that prepares people and builds them better intellectually than high school did. College also is something that is known for doing a very good job of maturing a person as a whole. Entering college as 17 and 18 year old teenager is something that can seemingly be overwhelming, seeing as some of those teenagers are still trapped in the high school mind frame.  College builds young adults and quickly starts an intense process of maturing these individuals into bright adults, that are mature enough to think on their feet quickly and prepares adults that are mature enough to go into the real world on their own and find ways of success. Aside from maturing students and building them intellectually, as you set out on the long journey to studying your major, college prepares bright young individuals for the job world that seemingly is in your near future.

                But is a college education what you really need to be successful? Living in a time where a four year college degree means basically as much as a GED does, is a college degree what you need to be able to land you first job? Reflecting back on one of our readings, it says, “In today’s generation as job opportunities decrease, if you want a job, invent it!” Does college really do a strong enough job in preparing innovative people that possess that creative drive and skill needed to create their own job opportunities?  This question can simply be answered with one word.. no. This is exactly why the four year Liberal Arts degree will seemingly be more important than the master’s degree in mathematics. Liberal Arts programs build balanced and well-rounded students that can potentially work in multiple different fields, while the math degree limits you to simply math. How many math teaching jobs are really actually available?