In today's society high school counselors, parents, college recruiters and companies are encouraging higher education to advance financially and thrive economically. What isn't taken into consideration is the cost the government is putting out for the students to go to school, with the hopeful return of that money. However, with the cost of education and the low probability of that individual getting placed in a job right after graduation so high, it potentially endangers trillions of dollars of student loans going into debt collections. With this alarming data, it raises the question is higher education really worth the price tag or is it possible to make a living without that abundant expense?
I, like many teenagers, started out as a fast food employee to pay my bills through high school with the intention of starting college in the fall preceding graduation. However, I pondered the previous question to the point that I decided to wait until I knew what I wanted to do with my life. My mother wasn't so pleased with my decision and told me I had three months to move out and learn what the real world was like. With no educational specialization beyond a high school diploma, I sought out with eager eyes the ways of the world.
I worked at jobs that most people would find unfavorable and "lower class" to make ends meat, so to speak. With no education or certification, I should feel grateful for any job opportunity according to some professionals. Treatment in these jobs by employers were, needless to say, unfavorable the majority of the time. Being viewed as replaceable, inferior, and some managers would use their staff as 'emotional punching bags' when they had a rough day. Although, coworkers of mine at these jobs would bond together in camaraderie to get through each passing day. This brings to question whether education level should dictate the level of respect and pay given to the worker.
In my opinion, I believe that respect is a two-way street in order for things to go smoothly in the workplace. I do believe, however, pay should go according to the education an individual has for that specific job. Education, to me, is not dependent on a degree stating your knowledge, but on-the-job training for a specific responsibility shows eagerness and interest in advancement without the financial burden. I think that if more companies made this a feasible option, that more employees would seek out such opportunities.
I think respect should be a two-way street as well. I really hate the "big head" some people get just because they think that because they have the money and education they are superior. I think they all forget we need to start somewhere, to get there.
ReplyDeleteYou're telling me! Then again I kind of feel bad for those people because I feel like they are overcompensating for something. lol. How many people actually respect other people? I think manners and respect are a dying and rare trait. I still have some faith in humanity, but it's hard sometimes.
ReplyDeleteJen....I commend you on your decision to hold off on obtaining a higher education until you knew what you wanted to focus on. You have learned that standing behind a difficult decision, sometimes can lead to undesirable outcomes. I agree with you that respect is a two-way street and in the workplace can only lead to a productive environment. Also, I feel that experience holds the same value as education. However, at the end of the day it is all about that piece of paper.
ReplyDeleteJen,
ReplyDeleteI know a lot of people that waited to go to school until they knew exactly what they wanted to do, that way they weren't wasting time or money taking credits that they might not need for the career they actually want in the end. I also agree that respect should be a 2 way street.