Nearly 48 percent of employed U.S. college graduates hold jobs that require less than a 4-year college degree, something that should strike fear into college students and doubt into those pursing a degree in the near future. With college tuition constantly on the rise, students can’t help but ponder if college is really worth the time and money.
The real answer to this question may not make the decision of whether or not to attend college any easier. Simply put — it depends.
In Indiana and adjacent states, the underemployment rate ranges from 14.7 to 18.8 percent. And with a persistently dormant economy, the outlook for these numbers improving is very bleak.
As a college student, you must actively seek opportunity. College is an opportunity to learn all the skills you need, both technical and social, and to build your personal brand. Being a student is about more than getting good grades — it is about building skills that make you a more valuable asset to an employer.
The plague of underemployment is not an issue of higher education or the labor market, but a personal issue that each of us can fall victim to if we do not personally take action to avoid it.
While underemployment is a legitimate concern, it does not alter the fact that a college education pays dividends in life. A college degree opens doors very few people without some form of higher education would ever have access to. Even for those who do get into the workforce in a position technically considered underemployed, the ceiling is much higher for a college graduate.
We hear too often the stories of the billionaires who dropped out of or never attended college. One thing many people fail to realize is that what sets apart an underachiever and an overachiever is the will to succeed. Success is found at the crossroads of passion, determination and opportunity.
Michael Dell, the founder of Dell Computers, is one of the many infamous college dropouts who has become a billionaire. Dell took apart a computer at the age of 15. By the time he reached college, he began building computers from scratch and selling them to classmates. He left school when he recognized that no company directly sold computers to customers and that the market potential for a company that did was enormous.
Years later his company has become the household name it is today. Dell was successful because he found his passion and seized opportunity when it presented itself.
Unfortunately, the majority of college dropouts do not achieve this level of success. What we can learn from this story is that when you have a plan and an unbreakable desire to succeed you can prosper no matter your credentials.
The median weekly wage of a person with a bachelor’s degree is $1,066 compared to $652 of a high school graduate who has not attended college. Clearly, college pays off on average.
No one should question whether or not college is a beneficial investment, but instead question how can you ensure you find yourself on the upper end of the aforementioned weekly wage opposed to the lower end.
In a similar fashion as Mr. Dell, you have to be prepared to take action when you find it.
America is the land of the free and opportunity is present to everyone. The challenge is to remain prepared and aware of opportunity so you are in a position to capitalize.
In order to avoid falling into the 48 percent, it is critical we as students set our eyes on the career we want and take any steps necessary to succeed.
Your outcome will ultimately be determined by your effort and you will find success when your preparation meets opportunity.
