Degree = Job…Maybe Not
Does obtaining a college degree guarantee a career? That is the question a lot of people have started asking themselves lately. It is also the assumption a lot of students entering into college believe. Even post-graduate students believe that a masters degree is going to finally get them where they want to be. For some that’s true, but for a lot of us, that’s one big expensive myth.
I truly believe getting a college education is essential and will aid in obtaining a challenging career as well as help you mentally grow but sometimes I ask myself was it worth it? Was it worth the debt, stress, parental and family expectations that a lot of people including myself go through after graduation? Is a degree even needed in order to be successful? Honestly, it seems like a lot of individuals without degrees get in the door a lot faster than those of us with degrees. I know this is not true for all industries, but in some this is a reality.
For instance, take Nikki M. – she was the top student of our class in undergrad and went on to New York University where she obtained her masters… guess what!… no job – can’t find one to save her life and she is eager and has experience. Now, take my other friend Faith, she has no college education and works for Daimler Chrysler she makes over $55,000. Lastly, there’s Mike-he graduated top of his class at Morehouse, he’s now an intern at a record label in New York. Mike is hoping and praying that his internship will open up an entry-level opportunity for him.
I can go on and on about intelligent and eager college graduates that have either great internship or work experience and are still waiting for that call back. When and if they finally get a callback from the hundreds of resumes they have submitted it’s usually an entry-level position starting at $30,000. And, yeah…I know someone is saying “that’s life..work your way up like I did,” you’re right, but $30,000 come on…when your loans are $35,000 + (if you went to an HBCU or private institution…you know what I’m talking about), gas is $2.89 per gallon and all the bills of being an adult are starting to roll in – we are often pushed right back into our bedroom at our parents home gazing at the same four pink walls while sleeping in our “princess” canopy bed.
I am a firm believer that education should be free and if they are going to make us pay for education there should at least be enough jobs available to handle all the grads of the world. If not, make it easier for young entrepreneurs to start businesses to help aid in the employment decline. There are so many reports stating that employment is available for anyone who wants a job…. HUH…IS IT! Tell that to Nikki and everyone else out there temping with a degree as an administrative assistant or working at Kroger to help pay the rent along with the EVIL, HEARTLESS SALLIE MAE crew.
Good Luck!
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Preach it!! I swear we at Walk Taken feel that same way! LOL. I think being a college graduate or even like myself holding a graduate degree is almost a catch 22.
You are so right!! After graduating from Howard University in 2005 I am still looking for a job after 2 years. Up until recently I was working in retail hell and it was horrible. Now, I just got a job in event planning and thats a temp assignment till Nov. Sometimes I really fill I wasted my time. I had to move home and I was making a wopping $7 an hour. Now Ive accrued a lot of debt ( that I cant pay back) and living paycheck to paycheck. But I am attempting to stay optimistic!!!
Y’all are speaking directly to me on this article! After graduating three years ago I can not find a job that is remotely what I went to school for and still can’t find a job that pays over 32k. I don’t know what the issue is on the employment front, but this is ridiculous. I am so tired of being on Monster posting my resume all day and still no response. I am trying to be optimistic too but it’s hard when you can barely pay your bills. Thanks for this article it’s nice to know that I am not the only one going through this.
They giving all the jobs to illegals, sad but True
I felt like you were speaking to me. I have been out of school for a year and the best i can get for right now is a job @ the Gap part-time. I am glad you did this….and will try your helpful hints.
This article is so on point. Once I graduated from school in 2004 all the opportunities stopped. My first post-grad position was that of a ticket taker/usher at the arena. So I’ve started my own business which is a struggle because my credit is messed up from my student loans, that I can’t take out business loans.
So my message is…don’t bank on cashing in your degree unless you plan to pursue medicine, science,law, or education.
College has turned into one of the biggest scams in America. Its really about personal enrichment and accomplishment that was reserved for the rich and well to do, not the middle to lower classes. I wouldn’t trade my experiences. But I would like to find a job that can get me out of this financial hole.
You are talking directly to me. I am trying to find a job as we speak but it’s very hard out there. Everyday I think about rather or not college was a good decision. I am still thinking..lol I just wanna find me a job that pays me a dollar more than the amount I have in loans. It’s crazy but ppl say college pays..I would like to know when.
Why are we under the impression that a college degree is supposed to get us a job in the first place?
Ms. Nik
I don’t think college is suppose to find me a job but you are suppose to have the one up on the other person but often times college leaves a person feeling behind the group.
Isn’t that what college is for? To gain the education, knowledge and specialized skills to get a job…. Besides pretty much every job listing out there REQUIRES a college degree.
I agree completely. I have been told numerous times that I don’t have enough experience. I guess going to college after high school was the wrong idea. All of my friends who didn’t go to college make more money than me. Very humbling. I’m hoping grad school will change things.
This article hit the nail dead on. I’m a recent graduate and I too am working retail until I can find a job. True enough, the people and friends I know that either didn’t go to college or didn’t finish are definitely making more money than I am. I went to an HBCU, and I think Black colleges need better career planning/placement offices to help students find jobs that are relative to their interests/major once they graduate.
Yes this economy is awful to say the least. I am a college graduate with an advanced degree in Paralegal and it is a real struggle to find a job. Paralegal positions are now getting taken by secretaries and recent law graduates. Even getting a law degree I have seen law graduates that can’t get job because of “not enough experience”. My paralegal job went bye bye to a secretary due to the attorneys could get away with paying the secretary less money with giving the paralegal duties to the secretaries. Anyways, I have now switched to sales and marketing and am still struggling to find a position. It’s absolutely insane that I would say 90% of companies even retail companies want some kind of very very specific experience. What also gets me is when entry level jobs come around the entry level jobs that say no experience needed or very little experience needed is usually a big fat LIE the entry level positions now days want 1 or 2 years of experience. Well excuse me but the last time I have checked entry level jobs means NO experience 0 years of experience needed. Companies need to quit lying that their positions are entry level when in fact that is completely FALSE!!!! I have a high school friend that went to the military and did not go to college and is making a lot more money than me. WHAT GIVES???? We college graduates have worked are butts off extremely hard and then we get punished for working so hard to further us in the world when in this reality it’s setting us back. I also have a friend that got his Business Masters degree at The University of Denver which is supposedly one of the best schools for a Business Masters and where does he end up getting a job after getting his masters???? At a sandwich shop!!! Aughhhhhhh!!!! Give us the Democrats back, end the war immediately and give us our jobs BACK ASAP!!! Thank god the WORST President in history BUSH is GONE after this year!!!!
ok… i admit going to college does not guarantee you a job..though sadly some people still believe that..but it helps. some businesses won;t let you get in the door without a college degree.. I am currently a college student and i find that finding a job is directly related to your major/area of study. I’ve had plenty of friends who came to college and majored in subjects like dance of theater..yet friends of mine who graduated wiht degrees on business , mass comm, or nursing could n’t get their degree in their hand before they had tons of job offers. i believe that its all about what you major in and if that field is in high demand. something one should do before they decide to go to college.otherwise you will waste 4 maybe 5 years and a lot of money in the process.
Well, it looks like some of you are a step ahead of me. =o) I can’t even manage to get a job in retail. And please, someone tell me how it is that I can’t even get a job at a hotel as a server or any other entry level position? It appears they have no problems hiring hundreds of employees who are OBVIOUSLY presenting false documents. I don’t expect my degree to secure a job for me, but I sure wish it would at the very least get my resume/application noticed. I wonder what percentage of hiring managers have degrees themselves? I honestly believe that many times I am denied a job because the hiring manager(s) are intimidated by my experience and education. I am not out there to take another person’s job. I, like the rest of you, just want to pay my bills and one day *sigh* get paid what I’m worth.
Opinionated Lady,
Sorry, but I’m very doubtful illegals are getting the corporate jobs many of us college graduates are seeking. I graduated with my first degree in 2002. I managed to get a T.A. position, and went back to school to get my Master’s. It’s hard as hell, even with a Master’s degree. I see want ads, KNOW I fit the position, and don’t get any response. I’m actually overqualified for many of these positions.
I think yes, we are told that if you do ABC, you’ll get to XYZ, but what is missing is that we lose the opportunity to gain valuable experience while obtaining those degrees. We go into debt, and by the time we can get to those opportunities, we have to add trying to pay your monthly payments into the equation.
I also think this whole system of submitting your resume via email or online application, you don’t grab the “attention” of hr personnel. They are getting hundreds of applications. They aren’t reading ALL of them.
But it’s good to know I’m not the only person searching for a paycheck…I was beginning to think God was singling me out or something…lol
I think GOD does things for a reason. I’m a 26y/o with 2 degrees and in my current position as a Publicist making only 38k. This mindset of degree or degrees equal high pay job. This couldn’t be farthest from the truth. In a society where nepatism is rampid, and a women of color has to work twice as hard to prove her self competent it makes you feel as though you were a pawn in a game of chess. I was feeling so defeated for months about why I couldn’t elevate to the next level. What are we to do? And what do I tell my future kids? Go to college and come out making minimum wage? Or don’t go to college and end up a statistic?
Maybe we should form some sort of Women of Color Network were we can explore how to make our degree work for us.
Its a tough dose of reality..
This article states what I’ve known for sometime. I was one of those that went straight into the work force in the dining industry. And let me tell you, if a establishment was hiring, with all the experience I have I would get it. A suggestion that I can offer to those that are waiting on there dream jobs but still need to live…start off as a hostess and work up. Show as much interest and enthusiam as possible and be friendly. With so drive you and skill you can clear more than a hundred a night at most places waiting tables.
Another thing that I would suggest is making sure that your degree matches the fields that have a need. When I decided to look for a field that would give me an opportunity to serve and help others, I also looked to see the ones that had the most demand. I currently in nursing school.
I think that that is the difference between going to college right after high school and not. I know that I have to be balanced with my dreams and the life style I want. An English degree is what I would have picked if I had went right after high school. A little more life experience has lead me to a different place.
Just keep your heads up.
My story in a nutshell :-(
I think someone has been reading my diary. I totally understand being in this situation. What’s a girl to do when you do everything “right” (college degree, no kids) but, still can’t get your stiletto through the door.