Splicetoday

On Campus
May 21, 2008, 10:44AM

Thanks College, I'll Be Paying You Back For 10 Years

A graduate from one of America's esteemed institutions of higher education finds the cultural expectations foisted on us by the cabal of government and universities stifling. They, after all, collaborate on our complicated system of student loans. How exactly did they convince us to spend thousands of dollars on an education that doesn't prepare us to work?

"Even as children, teachers, schools, higher education institutions and the government drill into us that we must get an education. We must get that education to get a good job, to be successful and to be respected. Our resumes should include at least a bachelor's degree. We are constantly reminded that if we do not go to college and get an education, we will fail at life, we will not even be considered by employers, much less get a job.

But who makes these requirements? Who sets these standards? The higher education institutions and government have convinced the general public that we have to get this education. They have created a social standard for "necessary education." This standard is so engrained, it doesn't even occur to most of us to ask these questions. Who loans us the money to pay the bill? The higher education institutions and the government. To whom do we owe money to after "the best four years of our lives?" The usual suspects.

After I graduate and have my degree, I will start a job that will probably require on-the-job training for six months and up to a year. Wait, why did I go to college again? I will most likely start in a job with low pay and little benefits. But besides paying all of life's necessary bills, I will be straddling college loan debt. This is what my education gave me? I want my money back.

My advice to all you high school grads nervous about which college you're getting into, worry less. Maybe college isn't such a good idea.

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Discussion
  • Hello- I am Randi Niklekaj. I wrote the above article and sent it to my University newspaper, The Minnesota Daily. I would just like to clarify, I am a United States citizen. I was born and raised in Minnesota. I stuided in Italy for a semseter and met my husband there (that's why my name sounds foriegn). But that's what makes this situation even worse. The price we Americans pay for "an education" is way past ridiculous-and NO ONE is doing anything to control the cost of education. Where are our legislatures and presidents and even students attacking this HUGE problem? My little sister is starting college this fall and I am honestly afraid for her, I know her debt will be larger than mine and we will have attended for four years. I would also like to note, I graduated in May and I have sent out over 500 resumes and job appications. My bachelor's degree with my "priceless" educationis listed on my resume. I have interviewed at several places, but guess how many job offers I have at this time? ZERO. I still want my money back.

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