Essay on Why Is a College Degree Important

Earlier this school year, I was on Instagram, and I stumbled across this amazing quote, that stuck with me, and it read “Full of opportunities, If you catch the right wave, life is waiting for you.” This quote was meaningful at the time because I had just been accepted to my number one choice, Prairie View A&M University.

The thought of attending college, the first one in two families to ever get accepted into a four-year university overjoyed me. I felt that this was a huge opportunity to enjoy and experience college, this large door had just opened for me. I have realized that getting a college degree plays an important role in having a productive, good life. By getting a college degree, you can get a job that makes it easier to live comfortably in life. I should know because my mom worked two jobs throughout my high school career, just to provide for me. After all, she didn’t go to college. My mom was the main person that encouraged me to pursue higher education after high school. When it came to my education, Ever since I was little, my mom would always encourage me and push me to succeed, whether that meant putting me into an all-girls leadership academy in middle school, putting me into applied learning programs, signing me up for leadership and mentorship programs, my mom always wanted me to be successful.

Getting my college degree would shape my current life by motivating me to become a successful African American and Hispanic woman. College is such a huge opportunity that leads individuals down the golden path to good fortune and success. My life would not be full of limited options and trampled on dreams because I decided not to go to college. My life without a college degree will lead me down the path of regret, rather than toward the bright future I could have as a registered nurse. Graduating with a college degree will not only benefit me but will also help my family as well. I would encourage my mother to go back to school and get a degree since she didn’t have the same opportunity to go to college when she was my age. My future children would also benefit from my college degree because they will be born into a life without any financial hardships. I would give the new generation of my family that will allow them to have flourishing futures as well.

In closing, I understand how important college is and how much getting a college degree will influence and shape not only my life but my whole family’s life.

Essay on Why Is a College Degree Important to Employers

In 2008 when the rate of employment rose by 10 percent (USLabor), the disparity between a college education and personal economic achievement became quite evident. In fact, during that time “… jobs requiring college degrees grew by 187,000” (ProCon.org). The recession issue impacted everyone who was seeking a job after high school graduation. In this case, a college degree becomes valuable when an individual realizes that they need a job to survive. A college education is a necessity for the current and future workforce, even though a college education is incredibly expensive, certain paths soon-to-be college students can take to lessen the financial burden. Some of the benefits are that earning a college degree increases future happiness, and self-esteem, it better career opportunities, and provides job security and satisfaction.

According to a large number of Americans who believe that a college education is not valuable, we should address this issue because our country saw its last deflation for nearly six years which makes it possible for us to be prepared for another downturn. College education protects people’s employment options. People who have survived the last recession without a college degree think that they can again. A college degree is worth any time when we try to find a job in today’s society. College can no longer be seen as a right or a choice but as a requirement. This is because most of the jobs that are generated in our community need higher education.

Therefore, Americans should remember the significant changes that the USA has gone through in higher education over recent decades. For example, “in 1980 only one in six Americans were college graduates, whereas today, seventy percent of all high school graduates go on to college” (Cassidy). Even though the expenses are growing every year the number of students going to a four-year college is still increasing because a college degree has become more important due to its opportunities and crucial effects on the development of new jobs for the United States’ economy. In other words, the demand for college jobs and the increased college attendance feed into each other and develop an economy that needs a higher-educated workforce (Cassidy). The challenge now is the prevailing outlook that many people think that college is not important depending on how things were in the past. It is the right time to start thinking of how the college advantages make up for the disadvantages.

Although the advantages are significantly higher than the disadvantages, some facts contradict the point of the value of a college diploma. Popular university withdraws like Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and Bill Gates are examples that lead people to consider college worthless. People from all over the world look at these individuals that have a large influence on our lives and they start to believe that higher education does not secure you a better future. They started to think that there were better opportunities than entering a college. Some of them are; having the chance to become your supervisor, taking more time to do things that you love, and possibly influencing others. But such events are unusual because not everyone can be a genie and think about a billion-dollar idea. All three of those individuals were also accepted into prestigious schools and decided to drop out, in other words, they were already very intelligent, to begin with. These three are exceptions to the rule and they do not go against the general rule of thumb that college is a good investment for the average person. The unemployment rates in 2018 prove that people without a college degree have an unemployment rate of 3.8 %, while the ones who have a bachelor’s degree have an unemployment rate of 2.0% (bls.gov). It can be assumed that a college degree helps you to find good jobs and gives you higher chances to achieve success.

On the other hand, the relationship between college education and future success is becoming more apparent. Even though it is possible to find a job without having a college degree, one will find themselves self-limited to basic jobs such as jobs in construction and manufacturing industries because as the webpage Study.com claims, “While employees with a high school education may secure jobs with good benefits, college graduates typically fare better, entering higher-level careers with greater salaries” (“How Important”). Achieving a college degree increases the future happiness of an individual because of the large variety of careers and the ability to advance more quickly into senior positions in their respective careers.

Keeping yourself healthy has a totally large effect on the capability to live a good lifestyle. Growing health problems can have a big impact on the productivity of individuals’ lives. There is a lot of research demonstrating that individuals who have higher education are going to have fewer health issues than people who do not have a college education. According to a webpage sponsored by College Education claims that “In 2008, 23% of college graduates aged 35 to 44 years old were obese compared to 37% of high school graduates” (ProCon.org). It is possible that because colleges have gyms people get into the habit of going to the gym in college and they do not break that habit after they graduate. Either way, the fitness culture found on college campuses is capable of imprinting fitness habits for college students that they will continue to use after they graduate. These habits are something that someone who has not attended college may find difficult to acquire. In other words, education is one of the things students gain; moreover, lifestyle advantages are improved.

Numerous individuals will utilize the reason that college is too costly to even think about attending as their purpose behind not going for further education. This can never be seen again as a defense because of all the options that are offered for financial aid during college. According to an article by Kathryn Flynn, “Each year, over $150 billion in federal student aid is awarded to more than 15 million students who want help paying for college” (Flynn 1). Loans, grants, and different types of scholarships are only some of the opportunities that are offered to students to assist them in reducing the cost of a college degree. Some students choose to take more classes than usual because this helps them to finish their studies before the estimated time. This option is a money and time saver. Going for accelerated classes improves our learning skills and opens up the chances to get into the desired career from early graduation. This is just one of the plenty of other solutions that assist students in saving money.

One of these solutions is going to a 2-year community college, which can spare a huge number of dollars over the long road. Entering a community college never affects whether one will go after a future position. This is because that considerably after those 2 years of community college you can still accomplish a college degree from a University. Attending a community college is an effective way to save money. Texas Southmost College emphasizes that “Many students are discovering they can save thousands of dollars by enrolling in a community college for the first two years before transferring to a university” (tsc.edu). The community college has the same academic options as an expensive University does. Additionally, smaller classes are more useful because the information can be quickly adapted for students and they can create a connection with the professors. The community college has huge amounts of benefits, but the most important one is that huge amounts of money are spared. Enrolling a two-year community college costs $3,440 per year, whereas attending a four-year college costs $9,410 per year (College Costs). As you can see a community college is more expensive than a University.

Besides this often money problem, we do not understand how much money taxpayers might waste if they did not enter college. Young people without employment, training, or education are more likely to be violent and receive public health care at an additional cost from the government (ProCon.Org). It is important to look at this viewpoint because people are truly concerned about the financial side of attending college. People have to understand the potential expense a non-student can have on the economy. Our State becomes increasingly concerned with the high price of prison, costing society tons of money. Furthermore, it is known that there are fewer crimes committed by educating people. This is because when you are educated and do not work, you are more likely to engage in illegal ways of making money. Education is so powerful in reducing crime that it has been suggested that the training of prisoners would make them far less likely to go back to prison after they are released (Riggs). To solve these two problems, this step should be put into operation. This will logically solve the problem of losing money in prison charges and perhaps raise the number of educated people.

There are not a lot of people going to college because it feels like a big challenge for them. If we eliminate some barriers in people’s way will increase the number of successful and educated Americans. Some of the hurdles can be financial debt, transportation, and high tuition costs. This may be the first group to be seen as often in high school and college. The first move is to obtain solutions to the growing reasons that people do not enter college. An example is having a certain way to travel every day to campus. We have a lot of ways to get there, but some more effective ways are to provide free public transit passes, and Uber and Lyft discounts for students. Brainstorm incentives are also important to encourage students to stay at school. These incentives could be decreasing tuition costs every year of attendance. These types of issues are important to solve because they are both involved in the willingness of people to study. One way to solve a common money problem is to attend college while they still live at home. This can be helpful because they pay much less. After all, “Dormitory housing can cost as much as $4000 – $5000 per year.” (tsc.edu). Sometimes this can be challenging for those who want to enter a college because they do not get to live the full college experience. Not being able to obtain the full college experience will still not detract a student from obtaining their degree which is arguably the most important part of attending college. However, the community college offers plenty of opportunities and saves us thousands of dollars for the first 2 years.

Above all, college is becoming more and more important. It is the right time to stop using the excuse that college is too expensive because out there are so many chances and options that make college life easier in all its aspects. This excuse is meaningless because, owing all available money-saving opportunities such as community college, scholarships, and grants. If you go to college, you can get a full paying job which helps you to pay off your loans. Another common argument is that to get a good job, college is not needed. Even though this is partly true, if we want to live a decent life with higher-paid positions and a range of career opportunities, education is crucial. It is when people know more about themselves and realize what they want to do with their lives. People should focus on one aspect college education is vital to stability and social development.

Works Cited

    1. ‘Advantages of Attending a Community College. “Texas Southmost College, 29 Mar. 2018, http://www.tsc.edu/index.php/new-students/advantages-of-attending-a-community-college.html
    2. Cassidy, John. ‘What’s the Real Value of Higher Education?’ The New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2015, http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2015/09/07/college-calculus
    3. College Costs: FAQs, https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/college-costs/college-costs-faqs.
    4. Flynn, Kathryn. ’15 Facts about Financial Aid Eligibility.’ Savingforcollege.com, 29 Mar.2018, https://www.savingforcollege.com/article/15-facts-about-financial-aid-eligibility
    5. “How Important Is a College Education?’ Study.com, 4 Nov. 2019, https://study.com/education.html
    6. “Pros & Cons – ProCon.org.’ College Education, 30 May 2018, http://college-education.procon.org/
    7. Riggs, Mike. ‘Why Prisoner Education Is Key to Reducing Crime.’ CityLab, 9 Sep.2013, http://www.citylab.com/cityfixer/2013/09/why-prisoner-educationkey-reducing-crime/6812/
    8. “Table A-4. Employment Status of the Civilian Population.’ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.1 Nov.2019, http://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t04.htm

The Influence of Technology on Education Essay

Technology integration into the education system has dramatically reshaped the learning landscape of colleges, universities, and other institutes, introducing dynamic and interactive elements to traditional classrooms. Digital tools such as tablets, interactive whiteboards, and online learning platforms have made education more accessible, especially in remote areas with limited resources. Technologies like artificial intelligence and virtual reality offer personalized learning experiences and simulations that were unimaginable a decade ago. However, this digital shift also raises concerns about the digital divide, as students without reliable internet access or technological devices are at a disadvantage, potentially widening the gap in educational equality. Addressing these disparities is crucial to ensure that technology in education serves as a bridge rather than a barrier, promoting inclusivity and enhancing learning outcomes for all students.

Essay on Evan Guthrie Law Firm Internship

Introduction:

Embarking on an internship at Evan Guthrie Law Firm was an exciting opportunity to gain practical experience in the legal field. As a law student, I was eager to apply my knowledge and learn from experienced professionals. Little did I know that this internship would be a transformative journey, shaping my understanding of the legal profession and providing invaluable insights into the intricacies of practicing law.

Body:

The First Day: Nervous Excitement

On my first day at Evan Guthrie Law Firm, I was greeted by a warm and welcoming team. Although filled with nervous excitement, I was quickly put at ease as my colleagues introduced themselves and explained their roles within the firm. Attending my first client meeting, I witnessed firsthand the dedication and professionalism displayed by the attorneys as they navigated complex legal matters. It was a glimpse into the reality of practicing law.

Diving into Legal Research

As the days went by, I was entrusted with various tasks that allowed me to immerse myself in legal research. I spent countless hours poring over case files, statutes, and legal precedents. This experience not only honed my research skills but also taught me the importance of attention to detail and the meticulous nature of legal work. I was inspired by the firm’s commitment to thoroughness and the pursuit of justice on behalf of their clients.

Observing Court Proceedings

One of the highlights of my internship was the opportunity to observe court proceedings. From attending hearings to observing trials, I witnessed the dynamics of the courtroom and the art of persuasive argumentation. I was struck by the eloquence and professionalism exhibited by the attorneys, as well as their ability to think on their feet and adapt to unexpected situations. Witnessing the intersection of law and advocacy further solidified my passion for the legal profession.

Mentorship and Guidance

Throughout my internship, I was fortunate to have the guidance and mentorship of experienced attorneys at the firm. They patiently answered my questions, shared their insights, and provided invaluable advice on navigating the legal landscape. Their willingness to invest time and effort into my development as a future lawyer was truly inspiring. I am grateful for their mentorship, which has shaped my understanding of professionalism, ethics, and the importance of continuous learning in the legal field.

Building Professional Relationships

Beyond the legal work, the internship provided ample opportunities to network and build professional relationships. From attending firm events to engaging in conversations during lunch breaks, I had the chance to connect with attorneys, paralegals, and other interns. These interactions expanded my professional network and allowed me to gain perspectives from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences.

Conclusion:

My internship at Evan Guthrie Law Firm has been a formative experience that has deepened my understanding of the legal profession. From the first nervous day to the final farewell, I have grown both personally and professionally. The firm’s commitment to excellence, dedication to clients, and emphasis on mentorship have left an indelible mark on me. This internship has reaffirmed my passion for the law and has provided me with the tools and insights necessary to pursue a successful legal career.

Reasons for Pursuing Higher Education: Essay

Pursuing a college education is one of the best investments one can make in today’s society. Many go to college with the mindset of getting an education, finding a six-figure job, and going to a few football games here and there. Everyone pursues a higher education for different as well as their own unique and individual reasons. Personally, I want to get a good education to be able to support my future family, discover myself as well as new ideas, and find my true passion in life. While there are many different reasons to pursue higher education, these are the most important reasons someone could continue their education.

My main pursuit in pursuing a college education is to obtain a job that provides financial stability for my family and me. Financial security and living a comfortable life are essential to me because I never want my future family to worry about making the decision to either pay the electric bill or buy groceries. Having a sense of financial stability is something I value the most and the one way to achieve this is to secure a well-paying job so the worry of paying for bills or groceries is never an issue.

Equally important, I want to use college as an opportunity to find myself and focus a great deal on self-discovery. College is a time for becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be and trying new things. Before I begin my new life and career, I want to know who I am and build the social skills I’ll need to succeed. Two of the main goals I’ve set for myself this year are to gain better communication skills and learn better leadership skills. For my major, these two things are essential to make it as a counselor and I want to be able to set an example for myself as well as those around me. The best way to accomplish these two goals is by putting myself out there and trying new things I wouldn’t have pursued in high school.

Lastly, college is a time for self-discovery and trying new things, but it’s also a period of time to find what you’re passionate about and find your purpose in life. I don’t want to live an aimless life that has no direction. Your life should be filled with meaning and passion regardless of what your degree and career are. I want to truly love what I do with my life and never lose my passion. My belief is that everyone should find their passion, regardless of what it is, and follow it with a desire to do something that they will love.

The structure of college can seem intimidating and at some points, it may seem pointless. Having to take the same classes you took in high school (or even classes completely irrelevant to your major) can seem like a waste of time at some points. However, each class you take can have a significant impact on your future career as well as the person you have become throughout these next four years. While each level of college may seem tedious and difficult, it’s important to remember that you’re building a foundation for a better life as well as a better version of yourself.

First and foremost, a college education will help students become socially aware individuals with a wide range of knowledge. According to Depth Requirements, the University is to create a learning environment by, “introducing ideas and issues in human thought and experience, University Studies courses help students achieve the intellectual integration and awareness needed to meet the challenges they will face in their personal, social, and professional lives.” When you attend a university, you’re exposed to new ideas and subjects that aren’t typical for people to explore in-depth in their own free time. These new concepts and ideas expose students to a new level of knowledge that will give them a better understanding of the world around them which will assist them with making any challenges they face much easier.

While general education is important to building the foundation of your career, your in-depth education is the reason most people attend college. With this education, you become an expert in your field. There are more requirements for this type of education which does make it more competitive and valued than simple general education. You’re exposed to new concepts and ideas you don’t have the opportunity to explore during your general education. You’ll become more knowledgeable and appeal more to future employers. Furthermore Lastly, the major course you will take throughout college is essential to your degree. These are most likely the classes you’ve been waiting to take since you graduated high school because they align the most with what you’re studying. These are the courses you should get most excited to be taking since many of your general education classes are the reason you’re in this specific major. Just from my breadth courses on Human Development, I’m extremely excited to begin more in-depth courses and start my major.

Currently, I’m on the path of general education. I have a long way to go until I begin taking my major classes and depth education courses. Freshmen year is one of the most important years during your college education because you’re building the foundation for the rest of your life as well as exploring new topics and discovering what you’re passionate about. Without general education, many people wouldn’t have the chance to figure out their major and future career. After countless hours of studying, too many tests to count, and whatever else is thrown your way during college it’s important to keep in mind why you decided to pursue higher education and just how rewarding it will be once you graduate.

Should Everyone Go to College: Argumentative Essay

“You want to be a doctor, or a teacher, or a police officer? You want to be a nurse or an architect, a lawyer or a member of our military? You’re going to need a good education for every single one of those careers” (Obama) This quote means that if a good job, a stable job, or a job that comes with respect is desired to help the family or just for the living, then a college education is now needed. I believe that everyone should go to college because it can help people make more money, it can improve the likelihood of having a more stable job, and college can benefit families in the future.

One of the reasons why everyone should go to college is because college can help people make more money. For example, a college graduate earns an average of 22,000 more yearly pay than someone who didn’t go to college. The reason this evidence matters is that it shows if you go to college and get a degree, you are most likely to get paid more than someone with a high school diploma. Another example of a college graduate making more money is the evidence from ‘Five Ways Ed Pays: college grads earn 63% more money in hourly wages. This evidence matters because it explains how much more a person with a college degree makes than a person without a college degree in hourly wages, and this matters because people with hourly wages already earn significantly less than their salaried counterparts do, and the 63% more money will help more people with their finances and bills. Therefore, this evidence helps with why college helps with making more money.

Another reason to go to college is to have a stable job. For instance, people are half as likely to be unemployed. This evidence matters because people with a college education have more chances to be employed than someone who just went to high school, and it helps for a better chance of promotions and more chances to earn more money. Another example is that in 2016, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that approximately 37% of the jobs and occupations listed in their occupation handbook required a college degree. Bachelor’s degrees are the most often required, being necessary for about 21.3% of all jobs in the handbook. A projection by the BLS for the years 2014-2024 suggests that jobs that require a postsecondary nondegree award will grow by 11.5%, bachelor’s degrees by 8.2%, master’s degrees by 13.8%, and doctoral or professional degrees by 12.2%. (‘8 Major Benefits of College: Why Earn Your Degree’). This evidence matters because it shows that 21.3% of all jobs require at least a bachelor’s degree. This evidence also shows how the BLS sees jobs requiring all these degrees will grow in the next years, which is why people should go to college so they can have more chances of getting a job, and having a bachelor’s degree can help with job applications in the future. As a result, having a college education can help people have a stable job based on this evidence.

The final reason people why everyone should go to college is because it can benefit families better. For instance, in 2015 4% of bachelor’s degree recipients age 25 and older have lived in poverty compared to the 13% of the high school graduates. This evidence matters because it shows how people with at least a bachelor’s degree are more likely not to be in poverty than someone with only a high school diploma, and gives readers percentages about how a college degree can keep someone from poverty compared to someone with just a high school degree (‘College Education Linked to Higher Pay, Job Security, Healthier Behaviors and More Civic Involvement: New College Board Report’). Another example is a recent poll that found that the choices young people make as they finish high school resonate throughout their lives. This poll shows that parental education shapes their kids’ key expectations and experiences: 76% of those with two college-educated parents usually entered a 2-4-year college immediately after high school, double the 37% of those who come from families with no college degree. In the end, 55% of all children who come from families with whom both parents have a degree of some sort usually go on to obtain a college or postgraduate degree, as compared with just 23% of children from no-degree families (‘Helping Parents Get a College Education Helps Children Succeed’).

There is no doubt that college is worth it, and that’s why I believe that everyone should attend it. College can help many make more money, attending college can also give people a better opportunity to have a more stable job, and college can also benefit people in the future with their families.

References

  1. Atlas, College. ‘8 Major Benefits of College: Why Earn Your Degree’. College Atlas, 29 June 2018, www.collegeatlas.org/earn-a-college-degree.html
  2. ‘College Education Linked to Higher Pay, Job Security, Healthier Behaviors and More Civic Involvement: New College Board Report’. The College Board, 29 Mar. 2017, www.collegeboard.org/releases/2016/college-education-linked-to-higher-pay-job-security-healthier-behaviors-and-more-civic-involvement
  3. Deprez, Luisa S., and Lisa Dodson. ‘Helping Parents Get a College Education Helps Children Succeed’. Scholars Strategy Network, http://scholars.org/contribution/helping-parents-get-college-education-helps-children-succeed.
  4. ‘Pros & Cons – ProCon.org’. College Education, http://college-education.procon.org/

Essay about Five Important Things about Going to College

The admission process to a college is a stressful process to go through, with many factors to consider and think about such as submitting high school transcripts, exam scores, essays, and partaking in interviews. With technology becoming increasingly more advanced every day, more information is available for others to see. Once reaching the internet, items posted including Instagram posts and uploaded TikTok videos are never erased even if deleted. Many posts, comments, and tweets, whether they be good or bad, are always traceable and can be found at any point in time. Social networking sites can uncover positive information about those applying such as volunteer work and filter out those with unwanted behavior such as the use of foul language and smoking. Admissions officers should read college applicants’ social media pages to ensure those applying are carefully selected when choosing between candidates.

Ensuring those applying to various college institutions and universities are carefully selected verifies those accepted are not a hazard to themselves or others and are respectful regarding mental and physical health concerns. A good candidate would be considered one who is not a threat to themselves or any others, someone who partakes in extracurricular activities outside of school or work and demonstrates good values including upstanding integrity, and respect. This prioritizes the safety and well-being of those in attendance at universities and institutions. Researchers and writers list the large scale of universities and institutions that use media and social networking sites to screen potential candidates. This goes to show that this is an important issue because it is a high percentage rate and therefore has an impact on a large number of people regarding college applications.

This is also important due to the people that may be affected by their unfiltered behavior. A 26-question survey sent out to a medical school revealed that social networking websites will affect the selection of medical students and residents admitted into a school, and socially acceptable behavior on these websites and apps may help applicants avoid bias in the selection process due to unwanted behavior (Schulman et al.). People may be completely unaware that their behavior on social media can impact their chances of acceptance by admissions officers. Understanding how much impact social media has on your chances of admission will allow you to avoid as much bias as possible during this time. Universities and colleges are using social media to research prospective students. A longitudinal study on the usage of social media by college admissions offices was conducted by The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research from 2007 to 2008 (Mattson and Barnes). This study shows as social media is becoming more popular more institutions are using social media increasingly to view the behavior of potential students. Institutions are using social networking sites to not only promote their university on social media but screen applicants as well. A report published in 2007, during the early rise of social media, showed that 61 percent of college admission offices used social media to screen applicants and attribute the increase in applicants to social media promotion and screening (Turner). Due to this information, it is not unreasonable to say social media is a key factor in screening applicants and that admissions officers are increasingly doing so to promote their universities with those who best fit their standards.

While social media is important in the college application process, it is nothing to stress about as the majority of the time it can only help you as opposed to hurt you. Something that would hurt one more than an admissions officer viewing their social media would be not taking a college tour as it is “the most important aspect” of the college application and enrollment process (Secore). As the college admission process is becoming ever so competitive not visiting a university of one’s choice would do more harm than one’s social media being viewed by an admissions officer. Social networking sites allow positive information about oneself to be shared and let the enrollment team feel like they have a better connection with the candidate being viewed. This is opposed to negative information being revealed which has a lower chance of taking place and would do less damage. Social media can be such a helpful tool when trying to get admitted into a university that it can get very competitive. There have been tips provided on how to “enhance the success” of one’s social media pages to compete with the competitiveness of the application process including making one’s social networking site welcoming, happy, and fun (Hayes et al.).

Shauntel Hall, an associate with Georgia Southern University, states the advantages of social media. She exclaims social media is a “tool” and “strategy” that can help applicants succeed further in their application process (Hall). Hall further supports the claim admissions officers should read college candidates’ social media pages by her research. The research done to support the advantages of screening applicants using social media was concluded by examining how higher education institutions in the University System of Georgia are utilizing social media (Hall). Thus showing social media is important in regards to admission officers when looking at applicants and can help many students when applying to colleges.

While it has been stated that there are several advantages to using social media to look further into a candidate’s life, there is a high number of college admissions officers using social media that emphasizes this point. Many adults in high-status positions are using social media to uncover more information about prospective students. “More than a third of the nearly 300 college admissions officers surveyed by the Kaplan Test Prep company say they have visited sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to get more information about a prospective student” (Klein). Due to the high numbers of adults using social media as a way of screening college candidates, it is clear that social media plays an important role in the decision-making process.

There is a higher percentage of social media helping one’s admission chances as opposed to social media hurting one’s admission chances. Admissions officers, 37.9 percent, say they found something in an applicant’s social media profile that helped the prospective student’s cause, compared to 32.3 percent who say they found something that hurt an applicant (Klein). This will ensure those applying are carefully selected when choosing between candidates. Adults seeing volunteer work, awards, and performances will have a positive outlook on the applicant versus seeing behavior such as drinking, smoking, or foul language (Klein). While these numbers are not too far off numerically, there is still a great difference as the positive outweighs the negative implications of using social media as a way of screening candidates.

Colleges choose to use social media to provide further insight into applicants that otherwise may not be possible to find. Sandvig, an affiliate with numerous database publications, lists the advantages of admissions officers of colleges doing so as well as the possible negative outcomes as well based on their findings. Sandvig states findings that admissions officers screen applicants using social media to ensure they accept the applicants that best fit their college and the standards of beliefs that go along with the college (Sandvig). Based on this article it is clear to see that researchers are not only looking at the positive outcomes of admissions officers reading college applicants’ social media pages to ensure applicants are carefully selected when choosing between other applicants but the negative possible outcomes as well. There are negative implications on one’s chance of admission based upon an admissions officer viewing unwanted behavior on social media which can result in denying an applicant admission to a certain school. Due to this, people applying to college should be conscious of what they post on social media because admission officers could see something they don’t agree with and they can deny admission. However, the positive impacts of doing so, looking at social media, outweigh the possible negative implications.

Social media is an important factor in the college admissions process and is a very popular tool used by many adults in higher positions of power regarding academics. Information that proves and places further emphasis on this point is research conducted by Corie Martin who used “Hossler and Gallagher’s Three Phase Model of Student College Choice, specifically the second of the three phases, the search phase, to explore student connectivity with institutions during their college choice process” (Martin). Institutions place a high value on social media during the admissions process, regardless of the size or location of the school. This study also concludes higher education social media administrators and admissions leaders may use this information to make more informed strategic decisions about communication with prospective and admitted students (Martin). Due to the research that directly links social media to the importance of college institutions and their acceptance, it is clear that social media should be viewed to ensure those applying are carefully selected when choosing between candidates.

While many institutions and universities will not openly state social networking sites are used to view people’s past and present life actions, the Canadian Medical Education Journal illustrates various information regarding research surrounding social networking use. Conducted through a series of phone interviews, researchers used admissions deans and nominated admissions personnel as a base for their findings. A qualitative descriptive analysis was performed using iterative coding and comparing, and grouping data into themes (Law et al.). Admissions officers at universities did not openly report using social media alone to screen all applicants; however, several did admit to looking at social media to follow up on preliminary indications of misbehavior (Law et al.). Even when not stated, social networking sites are used positively to ensure the behavior of prospective students and to ensure misbehavior is avoided as much as possible.

However, the benefits of admission officers using social media to screen prospective students and ensure the best candidates are selected are highly arguable among various people such as prospective students and researchers. Some claim that going through one’s social media and determining acceptance based upon that is a violation of privacy and wrongful use of social media. V?t?m? Ionescu and Constantin, two colleagues who work together with the College of Management National University of Political Studies and Public Administration and Bucharest University of Economic Studies in Romania, claim social networks allow individuals to continuously create and model their self-presentations and representations (V?t?m? Ionescu and Constantin). Signing up for social media as well as networking sites gives allowance to college admissions officers along with anyone else to view the interests, preferences, goals, and expectations of those they choose to view. Their examination of Facebook as a social networking site used to ensure those applying are carefully selected when choosing between candidates concludes graduate managers should possess some key characteristics that may be anticipated based on their Facebook profile cues (V?t?m? Ionescu and Constantin). It is clear that although some may believe using social media to screen applicants is a wrongful use of such social networking sites, using the sites in this way is perfectly acceptable since it is available for everyone to see and that is known from the minute one signs up on a social networking site.

This debate can also be seen in research when stating the questionable legality of admissions officers using social media as a way of screening applicants. Authors, Porter and Levy, list the little legal guidance on whether or how institutions can consider social media in the admissions process (Porter and Levy). Due to the contrasting information on the aspect of the legalities when using social media as a way of screening applicants, there are several difficulties regarding social media as being a platform where you agree to let people see what you post although you do not necessarily agree for admissions officers to use it as a way to screen you as an applicant. Although one may not be granting permission for admissions officers to view their social media profiles, when one signs up for any social networking sites you are allowing anyone to view one’s profile and anything that you post. Therefore it is not an evasion of privacy and anyone is allowed to view what one posts regardless of permission and admissions officers should do so when screening potential candidates.

Deva Wells, an author of informative research regarding social media in correlation to college candidates, explores admissions officers using the popularity of social media to their advantage. An online survey conducted concludes that 19% to 31% of collegiate admissions officers currently vet applicants through online searches (Wells). Wells specifically uses medical schools to see how institutional adults higher up view the use of social media as a way of screening candidates. Through this detailed research, it is found that “A majority of medical school admissions officers and program directors may believe that searches of applicants on social networking sites (SNS) do not constitute violations of applicants’ privacy” (Wells). Through the various statistical information, it is clear with the number of admissions officers who currently vet applicants through online searches, it is important to know what is being posted online as comments and pictures that show strengths and achievements can help improve one’s chances of acceptance into their college of choice.

Several researchers, and writers, as well as others, claim using social media is unfair to base acceptance or sway acceptance chances when applying to institutions or universities. There have also been researchers such as V?t?m? Ionescu and Constantin wrote a whole article talking about how signing up for social media as well as networking sites gives allowance to college admissions officers along with anyone else to view the posts, comments, or anything else of those they choose to view even though there are little legal rules for such doings (V?t?m? Ionescu and Constantin). Even with this being stated, social networking sites can uncover positive information about those applying such as volunteer work, and ensure those applying to various college institutions and universities are carefully selected (Klein). It verifies those accepted are not a hazard to themselves or others and are respectful regarding mental and physical health concerns. Despite the argument of legality and negative implications, it is clear that admissions officers should read college applicants’ social media pages to ensure those applying are carefully selected when choosing between candidates. In addition, “More than a third of the nearly 300 college admissions officers surveyed by the Kaplan Test Prep company say they have visited sites like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube to get more information about a prospective student” (Klein). All of this information highlights the importance of this issue and shows that this is something that occurs often and has many possible positive effects that could result from admissions officers using social media as a way to screen applicants and ensure those who are accepted fit the standards of the school they are looking to enroll in.

Banking Concept of Education Essay

Introduction

Freire`s banking concept is a brief about the relationship between teachers and students. As we all have been a student at some point in our life, but the difference between a scholar student and an average student is the teacher and the technique used by that particular teacher. The Banking Concept of Education states that knowledge is a gift earned by people who consider themselves knowledgeable. It also states that the old-school way of teachers teaching and students learning is outdated. In this concept, Paulo Freire brings ahead the main point i.e. the relationship between teachers and students and also the way in which teaching is taking place. He is raising awareness about the way the students are being taught. He feels that the way students are being trained isn`t as effective as it should be. He explained in this concept that the teachers are depositing the information into the student’s minds instead of making them understand and learn the concepts so that they can implement those facts in the real world. The students are not able to relate what is being taught to them with themselves thus not able to retain the information in their minds. Basically, teachers are making the students test-ready only but they should rather make the students ready for their life ahead of them.

His belief is that the teachers should not only teach the students but they and the students should walk through the learning techniques collectively which will eliminate the difference between the teachers and the students.

The “Banking” concept

In the text, he mentioned that From the outset, her efforts must coincide with those of students to engage in critical thinking and the quest for mutual humanization. His efforts must be imbued with a profound trust in people and their creative power. To achieve this, they must be partners of the students in their relationships with them. (Freire, 2011)

He insists on the fact that the students and teachers should be working together to challenge one another but how it has been that the teachers are challenging the students only. When the students and the teachers work together they educate each other which helps them to advance their knowledge and learning. There is no doubt that teachers know a lot and they also hold up a large amount of information but they can`t know everything and if they are working together with the students, they might learn something from them as well.

He also mentioned in the text that students, as they are increasingly posed with problems relating to themselves in the world and with the world, will feel increasingly challenged and obliged to respond to that challenge. Because they apprehend the challenge as interrelated to other problems within the total context, not as a theoretical question, the resulting comprehension tends to be increasingly critical and thus constantly less alienated. This response to the challenge evokes new challenges, followed by new understandings; and gradually the students come to regard themselves as committed. (Freire, 2011)

This paragraph from his text proves that if we want the students to be involved in the learning process, the best option for them would be to participate actively but they will only participate if and only if the learning to related to them in a respective sort of way otherwise they will lose their interest and will not be interested to learn the things which are not related to them. The students only want to learn only those things which are related to them or apply to them.

In relation to Higher education

In the text he also mentioned the students, alienated like the slave in the Hegelian dialect, accept their ignorance as justifying the teacher`s existence- but unlike the slave, they never discover that they educate the teacher. (Freire, 2011)

The students usually when they are treated as slaves, are not encouraged to participate in a conversation actively which is a sheer waste of their education. If the students are not asking questions and they are just accepting whatever the teacher is teaching this means that they are not challenging either the teacher as well as themselves.

So basically this is what is happening nowadays in the context of Higher Education. The way teachers are teaching has advanced if we compare it to a time probably 10 years ago.

This concept describes an innovative way of teaching in which students are allowed to work as critical thinkers along with their teachers. The preference for international students is changing to other countries because of the cost of education which is comparatively higher as compared to other countries. The students who are from lower and middle-income class families cannot afford to study.

Along with this, the teaching and learning techniques used are quite flexible as the Banking Concept is an integrated educational system. Nowadays, students have full flexibility about the courses they want to study and the way they want to study that particular course. educational system initiated the development of analytical thinking skills by forcing the student to take part actively in the conversation. The tutors are also encouraging the students to share their ideas and participate actively in debates, group discussions, online seminars, and so on. This is exactly what Freire wanted the big institutions to implement in their educational system.

Moreover, to rate of active participation by the students can be increased by providing a helping environment to the students so they can think out of the box and participate actively in various discussions in the class. Freire`s concept proposed that a student can truly learn if the teacher is involving both parties in active questioning, discussions, and sharing ideas on one platform. These attributes can be seen in higher education as these are supportive for students as this can will make them capable to use their ideas and thoughts which will make the learning process much easier for the students. The education system is a problem-posing education system as it gives the power to get in-depth knowledge of each and every module in the respective universities.

For example, The teaching techniques used at the University of Birmingham are really relatable to Freire`s Banking Concept as most of the content is usually delivered by an active physical researcher. The learning material (notes, slides, and recordings) of a particular course is always available in the virtual learning environment of each and every student which is really helpful for the students as they can review everything at a later time and if they have any questions, the tutors are always available to be contacted either by their emails or office hours. Tutors in that university are happy to help the students even after the lecture or at a combined convenient time.

During their time at the University of Birmingham, the students have a personal tutor with which they can meet once or twice a week to discuss the problems they might have during the regular lectures. This opportunity is really beneficial for the students as they can discuss the problems with the tutor that they had in the previous lectures altogether.

So basically, what Freire said was that teachers and students should be working together to let the students learn in a better and more efficient way. As he claims that the teachers should play the role of depositors and students as receptors, that is what education is focused on these days. The system has a way of involving the students in every module and throughout the study time. Universities nowadays have different ways to let the students learn and they also come up with different ways in which whatever the tutor is teaching, the student is relating him or herself with the topics the way it is being taught.

Conclusion

So basically Freire came up with the “Banking Concept” thinking of it as a schism between a person (either teacher or student) and the real world which will be resulting in getting that person ready for tackling the real world. The future of the human race is totally dependent on the educated individuals of the future and also the way in which they have been educated. So to save the future of the human race we have to focus our attention on the present students. In this concept, that is what Freire has tried to explain how can the students of today save the world in the future.

To do that the teacher and student should act one. The higher education system is a good example of the concept as the tutors here are helping the students to be ready for tomorrow.

Right now the high rate of international students coming points to the fact that the first choice of international students now is not any other part of the world. The experiences shared by the students define that the teachers are really helping especially the international students with everything related to studies or even life outside of their respective universities.

The teachers are providing more factual knowledge to the students so that they can easily learn the information given to them. The teachers also are helping international students if they are facing a problem due to cultural differences. From my personal experience, tutors are going far and beyond to help each and every student as much as they can. The universities have provided different tools to get help from like there is a student center which helps the student with day-to-day problems, some universities have provided personal tutors to certain students put together in a group and on top of all tutors have given their personal information to all the students so that they can reach them at any point of the day.

All these options are really helpful to international students. So higher education has been the first preference of international students because of the above-mentioned reasons and it is really helpful in many ways to the students coming from different parts of the world for their higher education.

Bibliography

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Essay on Importance of Higher Education

Education is a very important pillar in the world and without education, there is no future and no humanity. However, education is not the only component that can move a nation toward progress. I shall through this essay debate why education alone cannot move a nation. According to the book The Future of Education and Skills 2030 (2018) launched by the Organization for Economic Co-operation the aim of education is to equip learners with agency and a sense of purpose, and the competencies they need to bring about contribute to change. But the education provided is kind of static through the banking concept and Paulo Freire (2007) stated that we need to move education from the stage of the banking concept to the problem-posing stage to make a difference. In this process, there will be the involvement of society at large along with teachers and politicians. Education needs all these forces to be reinforced to give the real aim of education which is humanization and liberation of society in order to practice real freedom. Moreover, education should become a tool to navigate through the uncertainties in society by arousing skills of curiosity, imagination, resilience, and self-regulation. The nation needs to be open to new ideas, perspectives, and values and will need to learn to cope with failure and rejection to be able to move forward in the face of adversity. Also, education should equip learners with a sense of purpose and competencies to shape the world to live in.

Education is often considered what is taught within the four walls of the classroom. However, education has no boundaries that limit learning to make a difference in the world. This is because learning only academically taught subjects will make a person knowledgeable which is not enough to move a little finger in the world. As Paulo Freire (2007, 38) stated “Education is not a miraculous process capable by itself of effecting the changes necessary to move a nation”. This statement is very much true if we consider the type of education dispensed in schools around the world. When we talk of education, we often make reference to acquiring knowledge in an academic setting to become a “highly qualified” person in society. However, being knowledgeable is good but it is important to have the required skills and tools in order to make a difference, to shape the world for oneself and for others. We are now living in a world where we are facing unprecedented challenges in terms of social, economic, and environmental which are driven by the fast pace of globalization and technological developments. At the same time, those forces are providing us with myriad new opportunities for human advancement. Education alone will certainly not be able to get the nation on the move as we cannot predict the future but instead, we need to be open and be ready for the challenges. This is why the required skills and tools are not limited to education to make a difference.

Nowadays, the traditional education provided in schools to students is much more the parrot-type education which Paulo Freire (2007) referred to as the banking concept. The banking concept as Paulo Freire (1968) explained in his book “Pedagogy of the Oppressed” is a method of teaching and learning where the students simply store the information relayed to them by the teacher. In other words, they are expected to memorize important facts accurately as what they have been taught from a learned individual. In such a traditional educational system, the learning takes place within the four walls of a structured classroom where there is no scope for understanding and critical thinking in students and this reinforces oppression. There is no two-way traffic between students and teachers in the classroom, that is there is no participation by students but only absorption of information without any kind of understanding. For example, if we are teaching social studies, most of the time it is the text that is explained to students. The students just grasp the important notes for examination purposes and there is the application of knowledge outside the classroom. In such an approach, the educational system is considered to be an oppressed one because students are not made to think out of the box, that is utilizing the knowledge in society. This results in the world we are living in today which is static and remained unchanged because for years and years we have been reproducing the same type of learning to make the students fit in society. The nation has been only the reproduction of the same educational outcome day after day. Students are not allowed to develop skills to make them critical thinkers to be able to promote changes in society to move the nation toward a new world where people are more humanized. But rather, the students are faced with an oppressed educational system and it has become like a routine even for teachers as they teach the same facts and figures in the same way daily. They are imprisoned in a system for decades. Even Paulo Freire, (1970) argued that the “banking” concept has become an instrument of oppression creating incomplete human beings and no attempts are made to make them fully human. He further argued that the banking concept is making humans who do not question or want to change the system. Rather banking education is impacting in such a way that other institutions which are important like welfare for the society also are becoming reproduced institutions. Thus, the nation is becoming static because people become “automatons.”

Moving a nation requires a lot of external forces apart from education. As Paulo Freire (2007) stated the educational system needs to be changed from the “banking concept” to the “culture circle concept” in order to touch the nation to be able to get the nation to move. The concept proposed by Paulo Freire (1968) in his book “Pedagogy of the oppressed” comprises four steps to revolutionize the educational system in order to get the nation on move. One of the steps is the “problem-posing concept” which is rather a generative complex one but executable. Using this concept in our educational system will allow critical reflection by human beings of different origins and backgrounds and thus seeking complete independence and objectivity thereby looking for solutions to major problems which will involve the development of education in changing the nation and later on the world. This is because moving a nation is challenging there are many problems that we need to consider which are very challenging. These challenges include a variety of cultures, political options, and ideas that need effective and appropriate consideration in order to get a nation to move. It is only after understanding these challenges that solutions can be looked for and actions can be taken to solve them. According to Paulo Freire (1970), human beings need to evolve from the banking concept and view education as a tool of liberation. It is with this aim that the problem-posing concept needs to be applied. People need to feel free and be able to think outside of their box. We need to motivate through education to start seeing education through another lens where they feel included rather than being an object in class, they feel appreciated and learn to accept differences within the classroom to be able to bring them out in society. They should become human beings who can formulate their ideas and express them in any kind of environment. They should not be like those “highly qualified” who after getting certificates one after the other just to show off academics qualification and tend to forget how to disagree, listen, or have not learned how to move forward together because they were not rightly taught how to communicate. Therefore, the right way to communicate is important because when we talk about moving a nation there may be conflicts and differences among people and thus proper communication through dialogue is important. Even doctor Nancy Dome (Online source) stated in a magazine where she talked of Epoch education, that one must have open channels of communication where people have no fear to retaliate against power or oppressive forces to bring changes and inclusion in diversity.

Communication is indeed a good way to share ideas and learn from others this can happen at a small scale at the school level. Education must evolve from one-way traffic, that is, the teacher-student relationship where there was no dialogue to a more open atmosphere. Teachers must become like politicians and so start bringing about the political aspect of education in class. Even, Paulo Freire (1968) stated education must be a combination of action with serious reflection. This can only be done when teachers start to bring in dominant interests and ideologies in the classroom for discussion with possible societal problems that need to be solved. In doing so, teachers are expected to make students see the reality of society. Further to that, a small committee with different stakeholders can be held at the school level where students are invited to learn and also share their views with people from outside the school environment. By doing so, education will become a platform to bring about transformation. At the same time, students who were initially enclosed in the four walls of the classroom will be involved in the issues of the society such as the economic aspects of the country and other issues which are pertinent to the nation. This will help to develop the critical consciousness of students and make them more open to social transformation. Moreover as Ellen Galinsky (Online source) in her book “Mind in the Making” the development of critical thinking will arouse curiosity in the brain of the child where the latter will not only grasp the knowledge but rather analyze and be able to make judgments. At that time the child will require to work on his imagination and become more inquisitive. The dialogue will thus enhance communication and education will break the barrier of being restricted and merging in society. Then the way society was perceived as being oppressed will evolve as there will be new aims, beliefs, aspirations, and sharing of knowledge. Even Paulo Freire (1970) stated that the aim of education must be replaced by posing problems to human beings in the world that will eventually aim to liberate human beings from the oppressed educational system. Studies have shown that poorly developed communication skills right from childhood to adulthood lead to rejection and isolation in society (Botting, N. and Conti-Ramsden, G. (2000); Clegg, J., Hollis, C. and Rutter, M. (1999). Such rejection and isolation will maintain the status of oppression within the community. Thus, using the concept of communication in education will allow dialogue and at the same time force people to talk even if they are having emotional difficulty to express they should be motivated through education. Communication will eventually lead to planning to find solutions to real problematic situations to move the nation by empowering them with emotional and intellectual dispositions.

Liberating human beings towards a more democratic education is indeed very important. This is because in the actual world we still find the reproduction of issues like race, inequality, gender, and power among societies. Paulo Freire (1970) argued that the society we are living in is suppressed by those in power who try to manipulate those who are powerless making them vulnerable. Education alone will not be able to eradicate this indifference within the community because it was and is still here as a result of the “banking concept” which has been instilled in nearly all aspects of the nation. This is why the theory developed by Paulo Freire (1970) about the pedagogy of “conscientization” comes into play. His idea was to increase the level of literacy among those in our society. This is because if we have a nation that does not know how to read or write, it is difficult to bring about change not only in a country but around the globe. In Australia, (Tania Canas, 2013) for example, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Navi Pillay, stated that with asylum seekers there is still the inhumane treatment of people based on race, color, and religion, (UN rights chief slams “racist” Australia, 2011). Such treatment shows how oppression is still a reality and therefore social transformation is a must. Therefore, the conscientization of the people will bring about a notion of “self” through dire reflection and orientation. People will be able to acknowledge the oppressive powers and then there will be the development of a critical awareness of the social reality through required action and reflection. Further to that, people will be made to face the reality than live with the social myth which has been dominant so far. This concept can be applied again within a small group of the community by uncovering the real problems and needs of our society. Moreover, conscientization will break the vacuum that teachers were once teaching within the four walls of the classroom and give education another dimension through the recognition of education as a political aspect. Human beings will be stripped from the myths they have been living so far. Moving the nation will require that those who felt powerless as a result of certain social, economic, or environmental issues be liberated from the oppressed mindset which had been reproduced so far to see the reality and be daring enough to face and find plausible solutions which do not reproduce what is already there.

It is indeed the role of educators to start the change within themselves to get the nation to move. Teachers should be active to bring in the creativity within the educational curriculum through the act of conscientization. We must not forget that educators are among those stakeholders who can touch the nation by educating the child. Therefore, providing the right education by involving issues of society, political aspects, and social and environmental issues will help to break the academic focus to a certain level. This is because it will allow students to be faced with the actual issues rather than just focusing on academics and focusing on getting a well-paid job where the reproduction of old ideologies will still prevail. It is therefore through concrete conscientization that educating the nation will revolutionize the status of education from being static to being active with serious reflections. Conscientization will need to be reinforced through actions where people can share their daily issues and start from a small group and move toward the nation. The aim of this theory is to break the reproduction banking concept in our institutions which is still causing much harm to the nation when considering issues like ethnicity and racial discrimination still present in European countries which were published recently in an article by Alena Bieling (2021, Online Source). Education alone by sitting in a classroom cannot bring about a change in mindset it is thus important for educators to be involved and also become an agent of politics to break apart the reproduction of dominant interests and ideologies because human beings need to be set free from these ideologies that have blocked the nation from moving. Then only, then will be able to confront those in power for a change in society for future generations to prevent the continuity of all sorts of inequalities and injustice in the world.

The act of conscientization to promote the concept of Paulo Freire (1970) which is problem-posing to move education from the banking concept to making education more active will not be complete if the whole nation is not conscientious. We cannot ignore the fact that the world, we are living in still has a very low rate of literacy growth. According to statistics from World Atlas data (Online Source), the literacy rate of adults aged 15 in 2020 was 86.7%. This percentage represents an annual increase of 0.36% from 2001. We can eventually deduce that to move the nation, education needs to take another course on the path to educating the nation through educators. This is where we come to the theory of Paulo Freire (1970) which is codification. Through this concept, educators will be able to bring the whole nation to start to ponder over issues relevant to their society that are inhibiting progress. Codification will involve giving a person a big picture of a real situation and then there will be de-codification where people will start breaking the big picture in bits to understand and reflect upon the given picture. This methodology will bring grouped ideas, understanding, and other aspects that will lead to liberating human beings. The use of the big picture in terms of a theme in particular in the form of a concrete representation will be used to pass on an important message to the nation to bring about change from static to becoming active. For example, when educators use pictorial illustration to transform the banking concept and promote understanding among the students, they are touching those who have a certain level of disability of understanding. In doing so, the educator is eliminating rejection and isolation in the classroom. This act should be promoted in society in order to prevent discrimination against the disabled. Further to that, the thoughts of people will change to be more open to accepting changes.

Is College Degree Worth Incurring Significant Debt: Argumentative Essay

The average student debt of a recent college graduate is $37,172. Trade Workers and craftsmen are in decline. Without these people, daily life will become very difficult. College was once necessary to be a success. College degrees aren’t necessary because college puts students in debt, they are not required for people to get most jobs and most people can make more money without a college degree if they choose the right jobs.

Students are attending college less and less now compared to before because it puts them in debt too. Before students attend college they usually don’t think about the debt after they graduate college so they end up paying debt their whole life. Most of the time they think they can afford college at the time but in reality, they really cannot, so they end up in debt. Research shows that “A college degree isn’t the stepping stone it once was to a better job and a better life. In fact, studies show that while less than 20 percent of college graduates leave campus with a job, a staggering 80 percent leave buried in debt. One student’s experience illustrates the difficulty: Karen Mora Lopez recently had to drop out of a work-study business administration program at Pepperdine University because she couldn’t afford the steep tuition and already had a full-time job” (Spencer). Debt is killing dreams. Recent studies have revealed that “young adults are delaying major life milestones due to the sheer mental weight of college debt. They’re putting off buying a reliable vehicle or a first home, waiting to get married or have children, and shelving any hopes of traveling to experience new places and cultures”(Spencer). College students should focus more on buying a car, house, etc. before they spend their time and money going to college so they don’t end up going into debt and then not being able to buy stuff they need later in life. Most college students end up paying their college debt their whole life because it’s expensive. Make sure you’re financially stable before attending college so you aren’t in debt your whole life.

College degrees are becoming less important each day because there are a lot of jobs that you can get and make more money than some jobs that require a degree. College degrees have lost their importance over the years because people that go to trade schools to find a profession are making more money than people with degrees because the world is in need of trade workers. What matters more is having the skills to do the job, not a certificate that shows you have spent 4 years studying a subject. Instead, you can look at other opportunities like internships, trade, travel, and opportunities that could earn you money while you find out what career you really want to have. Based on research,” there is a major difference between degrees, too.CBS News ran an article about the 20 worst-paying college degrees. Coming in dead last was Child and Family Studies, with a starting average salary of $29,500 and a mid-career average of $38,400. Art History was 20th, with a starting average salary of $39,400 and a mid-career average of $57,100.On the other hand, the average plumber made $53,860 a year, and the average electrician made $53,080 in 2015”(Andrew Syrios). A college degree will not guarantee you a high-paying job. It will not even make you a skilled leader with a shot at the corner office. You should not try to force yourself to take a career path you do not want to take, you should just explore the jobs you are interested in and try to have a fun and successful career. If trade workers were not making so much money without college degrees then degrees would probably be more important. If you do not think you are ready for college then try to find a job that still pays nice, does not require a degree, and is something you might enjoy.

The cost of college has been increasing, day by day, slowly but surely and kids are not able to afford it. Over the years, college prices have been increasing rapidly so some kids are not able to afford it. Nowadays not everyone can afford to go to college. And those who are able to afford a bachelor’s degree carry an ambition that they are going to make a lot of money once they graduate. Some degrees pay for themselves but most degrees will not pay for themselves. College degrees are becoming more expensive each year, you must mortgage your life to pay the price of a certificate, and the return on investment for these college degrees is often much below the burden of debt acquired. Recent studies have shown that “college tuition continues to skyrocket year after year. The current sticker price of a moderate in-state public college is around $25,000 per year. A moderate private school averages about $50,000 annually”(Spencer). The unfortunate truth is that student-loan debt now outpaces mortgage and credit-card debt combined in the United States. Several decades ago, the United States educational system simply worked. A college degree was affordable, and graduates secured offers for higher-paying jobs by virtue of earning those degrees. College costs have been rising roughly at a rate of 7% per year for decades. Since 1985, the overall consumer price index has risen 115% while the college education inflation rate has risen nearly 500%. If the price of college was more affordable, then more kids would probably attend it if it was in their price range. Most of the time kids will still go to college if they can afford it at the moment and once they actually get to college and have to pay stuff off they depend on college loans, etc, According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, birth rates declined during the 1990s. (While the numbers increased in the early 2000s, they dipped again from 2007 through 2011). There may be several reasons for this decline, but one factor is the increase in women who are in the workforce. They’re more likely to delay marriage and childhood. Fewer children mean there are fewer students attending school. The Hechinger Report notes that there were 81,000 fewer high school graduates in 2017, and this trend is projected to continue. Currently, southern and western states account for almost three-fourths of all high school graduates. However, the West, Midwest, and Northeast are projected to experience steeper declines in the next few years. And this means fewer students attend college in part because there are fewer candidates. College prices are too high and they should consider lowering prices to have more students attend.

If you are not actually interested in college then you should not attend it and you should just try to find a career that does not require a degree so you do not get put in debt. A college degree is not going to guarantee you the best job in the world making the most money so sometimes not going to college is the better option. Finding a trade job instead of getting a degree could be a better option because you can probably enjoy your career more and make more money.“The problem is that people attend college with the mentality that they are going to find a dream job and make a lot of money once they graduate. People need to understand that just because someone attends a college that does not guarantee anything for them, except being in debt for a long time”(Centeno). “The numbers show that nearly 50% of students who start a bachelor’s degree never finish. And the average student loan debt for students in America is $30,000”(Centeno). Most of the time the reason why students do not attend college is that after high school they never know what they want to do as a career so they are not interested in college. Nowadays more kids don’t attend college because they have no plan and because of the price of college increasing each year. However, Durvasula isn’t surprised that affordability would be a problem. “Four to six years is a long time to stall income generation for many people and to simultaneously be incurring debt.” As a result, she believes that affordability is critical and that higher education is not within reach for many Americans. By last summer, Americans owed more than $1.3 trillion in student loans, more than two and a half times what they owed a decade earlier. Young people and their families go into debt because they believe that college will help them in the job market, and on average it does. People who have dropped out of college about 40 percent of all who attend earn only a bit more than people with only a high school education: $38,376 a year versus $35,256. For many, that advantage is barely enough to cover their student loan debt. And not all have even that advantage: African-American college dropouts on average earn less than white Americans with only a high school degree. Meanwhile, low-income students of all races are far more likely to drop out of college than wealthier students. Even with scholarships or free tuition, these students struggle with hefty fees and living costs, and they pay the opportunity cost of taking courses rather than getting a job. The value of a college degree also varies depending on the institution bestowing it. The tiny minority of students who attend elite colleges do far better on average than those who attend nonselective ones.No other nation punishes the “uneducated” as harshly as the United States. Nearly 30 percent of Americans without a high school diploma live in poverty, compared to 5 percent with a college degree, and we infer that this comes from a lack of education. But in 28 other wealthy developed countries, a lack of a high school diploma increases the probability of poverty by less than 5 percent. In these nations, a dearth of education does not predestine citizens for poverty. It shouldn’t be here, either: According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fewer than 20 percent of American jobs actually require a bachelor’s degree. By 2026, the bureau estimates that this proportion will rise, but only to 25 percent.