Response to College; is it really worth the money?

 Response to: College; is it really worth the money?

In RJ’s blog about our college system and the relation to the work force, he brings up many good points but also leaves out many aspects of our society that can be used as counter arguments. His initial argument is that many students come out of college with a large amount of debt that could be eliminated. By forgoing college and jumping straight into the work force people gain an advantage and acquire the necessary skills before the college students graduate. To me this argument is flawed because going through the college process is more than just qualifying oneself for a job. The college is experience is about learning about life and growing as human being through the people you meet and the opportunities that are taken.

            Everyone always says that college is the best four years of ones life, but why is that? Is it all about the parties, or the crazy stories, or what exactly is it? Although I am only through my first semester, I have learned that part of the real value of the college education concerns with the people you meet and the opportunities that are taken. Everyone has a story and can enhance others lives in one way or another, good or bad. Some people can teach you bad habits and lead you astray, while others can open doors that you didn’t know existed. One of your peer’s parents could offer you the job of a life time and the connection can be made from a simple greeting. People have a lot to offer and taking advantage is something that can be found if jumping straight into a career.

            Something that I’m most looking forward to as a Furman student is to explore the internship programs. If we were all forced to pick our careers at age eighteen, our country would be a wreck. Millions of people everyday would go to a job they hate and put in as little effort as possible just to receive the pay check every month.  The passion would be lost and I’m happy to see that we can discover this early without being setback.  The liberal arts curriculum forces students to diversify their areas of knowledge and become a well-rounded individual. Many people will take summer internships and realize that this isn’t the path for them and shift a change in focus. About eighty percent of college students change their major at least once.  For those that hit it off with the first internship, that’s great for them and they can establish a relationship early without having to bind themselves to a company. College is all of what one makes it, if experienced properly everyone should find their niche and come out ahead in life.