After graduating from high school, what is the best path for a student to take to pursue their career? Many might tell you that a student should obtain a college degree if they want to get a certain job. Others will say that attending college isn’t necessary and that there are alternatives outside of college that can enable you to find a job. YHS newspaper The Voice interviewed staff and students to hear their input on what choice a student should make.

All of the interviews conducted with staff and students resulted in a wide range of opinions on college. Most interviewees agreed that a college education can be very beneficial for those who attend. Both teachers who were interviewed said that attending college helped them a lot in their careers. Ms. Sudol mentioned how she had a hard time figuring out what she wanted to do for her career and returned to college at age 40. She believes that it is never too late to change your mind about what you want to pursue. She also asserted that getting a degree “might give you an advantage over other people if it’s required.”

Ms. Bieloski expressed similar opinions on attending college. She originally didn’t plan on becoming a teacher, but the opportunities she received at college gave her a well-rounded picture of history, inspiring her to become a history teacher. 

A freshman student, Max Fitzsimons, has a similar view on attending college. He stated, “I think it’s a good idea for most people.” Max also added that a college degree opens up new opportunities for careers. 

Although most interviewees said that going to college has its benefits, many also expressed their beliefs that college has its downsides. Sam Spiegel, a senior, stated, “It is useful for some careers, but for others it doesn’t matter if you have a college degree or not” Sam elaborated on how student debt and overpriced tuition is a problem that one might experience when attending college. “It used to be good back then, but now it’s a waste of money.” 

The other interviewees also believed that attending college has its downsides, as Max Fitzsimons agreed that student debt is an issue that college students might face. Ms. Sudol and Ms. Bieloski believe that attending college could result in financial problems if students pick a major that is of no value to them or if they cannot find a career involving that degree. 

During these interviews, the topic of how someone could pursue their career without getting a college degree arose. Sam Spiegel stated, “They could gain experience in the field that they are looking to go into by doing hands-on training or working under a professional.” 

Max Fitzsimons had a similar idea: “You could get into the trades.” Ms. Sudol agreed that going to trade school or getting a job that involves on-the-job training are both nice alternatives to college. Ms. Bieloski said that people could get involved in trade or craft, but those industries often depend on prior skills.

Based on the input received from these interviews, many people view going to college as a good choice to make after graduating from high school. Getting a college education can give you an advantage when applying for jobs and give you a well-rounded idea of what you may want to pursue in the future. Despite the benefits that it gives students, it was agreed that attending college also has its setbacks. The large price tag associated with a college degree was discussed multiple times. Although a degree can be useful to those attending college, there are other cheaper options available. However, the decision is all based on what suits the individual.