Lies Taught in College

I just submitted another application for a writing job (yeah... I just got a job but I can't resist applying for better paying and more interesting ones) and I'm in love with this article that I wrote. I know it's controversial, but hey, that's what writers do. Enjoy!

Lies Taught in College

By: Sarah Eve
(sencrafter)
Published as a list on Dootsi.com http://dootsi.com/showlist.php?listid=463

College is supposed to be an educational environment teaching you all that you need to know to succeed in the real world. We wish that were true! The reality is that universities are infamous for perpetuating lies. Why? To get more money of course!

Statement: “Anyplace will hire you as long as you have a degree.”

Response: False! While there are many jobs that require a degree, there is no guarantee that a degree alone will get you hired. We live in a day and age where Bachelor's degrees have become commonplace. A couple of generations back, a degree meant having an edge on the competition because this level of education was indeed rare. This is no longer true. If your grandparents or even parents are telling you that if you get a degree you are sure to get a high paying job, DO NOT LISTEN to them! This advice is outdated. The truth is a degree is merely resume fodder that will help you to gain employment, but it does not carry the weight it once did.

Statement: “Creative Ideas are always good ideas.”

Response: This is another falsehood found in the college realm. The truth is just because an idea is creative doesn't mean it is a viable concept. Too often grading is based on displaying some level of effort rather than learning principles and accurately applying them. This leads to egotistical college graduates that assume all of their ideas are brilliant because they got A's for their half baked blunders. Soon after graduation their ego is burst when employers, co-workers, or even friends or family prove that their supposed solutions lead to certain failure. The next time you want to offer a creative suggestion, make sure it's a good one.

Statement: “If you don’t have a degree you’ll never succeed.”

Response: Bill Gates is the most obvious example of why this statement is false. The truth is people skills, problem solving, and inventive ideas are usually the key factors in whether or not a person will be successful. Generally these talents are learned through life experiences, are born gifts, or a combination thereof. For a list of famous successes that never completed college see: http://www.rateitall.com/t-20542-success-without-a-college-degree.aspx

Statement: "An online degree will be looked down upon."

Response: Simply not true. If you have a degree within an employable field, then it really doesn't matter where you got it from as long as it's from an accredited university. An online college degree is worth just as much as one from a brick and mortar establishment.

Statement: “Education counts for more than experience.”

Response: I don't know why colleges and universities are now encouraging students not to work during their school years. I understand that focusing on studies will make for better grades, but something much more important is missing here. Employers hire based on experience! Sure, there are some "entry-level" jobs out there that claim "no experience necessary" but they aren't very common. Even simply working at a fast food chain a few hours a week while in college will give you an edge on your fellow graduates when it comes time to compete for jobs (think about all of the customer service and team work skills that can then be added to your resume just from flipping burgers). A resume that merely lists a degree with no work experience is sure to be quickly rejected. This is also a good reason to take advantage of internships because they will give you that experience to later put on your resume.

Statement: “Debt is a good thing.”

Response: This is yet another lie to lull you into security when forking over large sums of money that isn't even yours to begin with. Obtaining a degree has never been more expensive, yet schools brush this off by simply saying "You're investing in your future" and feeding you other lies of how easy it will be to get a good paying job after you graduate. It's nowhere near as easy as they make it sound to land that dream career. Furthermore, debt is an all-consuming weight that will burden you for years. Granted, student loan debt has drastically lower interest rates than credit card or car loan debt, but ANY debt will burden you. Do your best to obtain scholarships and financial aid to minimize the amount of debt you will incur.

Statement: “Working restaurant or retail is beneath a college graduate.”

Response: You'd be surprised how many people with a college education work at fast food restaurants or in your local mall. Any hard working adult making their own way in this world needs to earn a living. Waiting for that dream job to come along while sitting around is only an option for those sad perpetual children who are still living with their parent(s) well into their adulthood. But even then, often parents require some financial contribution from their adult child (as they should) and so it is time to suck it up and work. Don't ever believe that this line of work is beneath you, because you never know what may be in your future. And don't believe the college employees when they claim that a degree will save from such a fate. A degree merely gives you the possibility of obtaining a better job, no guarantee.

Statement: “There are plenty of jobs in the Liberal Arts field.”

Response: If you choose a liberal arts major (whether History or English, etc.) be prepared to also take courses in teaching. While yes, there are some liberal arts jobs available, there are more qualified candidates than positions. It is stiff competition. The biggest pool of jobs available to liberal arts majors are within teaching. Keep that in mind while choosing a major. As long as you want to teach what you are learning, then go ahead and proceed with your liberal arts degree.

Statement: “Minimal effort is acceptable.”

Response: Yes, it takes a lot of hard work to do well in school. However, minimal effort can actually earn a degree. There's a saying going around, "A's may pay, but C's get a degree." Coasting like this is rarely acceptable in the work place. I've seen too many college friends graduate only to find out that the work they put into their education pales in comparison to the work they must complete to earn a living. Don't be fooled into the easy way out. Minimal effort won't be accepted.