Benefits and Drawbacks of Studying at University - Essay Example

Benefits and drawbacks of studying for a university degree Introduction As a result of the rising cost of higher education and increased employment, a large number of people have questioned the worth of acquiring a university degree. Increased online degrees and the emergence of extremely many universities have further triggered the doubt of its value. Some people now view the four years as a waste of time and money, getting extremely little or nothing in return. Some people have even suggested that, the money spent in higher education could be productive if invested. An important point to note is that education has both rewards and drawbacks; it all depends with what exceeds what (Hough, 2010, p. 1). Personal economic returns In white collar jobs, individual income is related with his or her education qualifications. People with university degrees earn more than those with only a high school education or a diploma from a middle level college. According to statistics, people with a bachelor degree earn an average of 74 percent more than those with undergraduate education annually. So far this has been the significant driving force for people scrambling for high education (Baum & Payea, 2005, p. 16). According to historical records, less than 30 per cent of middle class workers held no form of education qualification except graduating from high school. Nowadays, almost all jobs in the United States require one to have at least a university degree. Since 1980s, the people with higher degrees earn almost double those who have high school qualifications. The above statistics erases the doubt about the value attached to the higher education (Hanford, 2013, p. 2). Health benefits Most of the employed graduates have shown to have medical insurance covered by their subsequent employees. University graduates are perceived to engage into a healthy lifestyle, than the high school counter parts. According to the statistics, the level of health increases with higher education. For instance, statistics shows that more than 70 per cent of university graduates with income between $35,000 and $54,000 are in better health condition than those high school graduates in the same income bracket and age. Also among the graduates the level of heath increases with the level of degree attained (Baum & Payea, 2005, p. 16). Incarceration rate The incarceration rate has been seen to be higher in adults with high school education than those with university or college education. Increase in incarceration rate increases the amount government spends as prison costs per an individual inmate. Though this takes us back to the economic benefits of higher education, this finding is more tagged to the effects on the society. Statistics confirms that, in 1997, 1.2 percent of those incarcerated were adults with no graduate education, but only 0.1 per cent of them had higher education. This shows that increased level of university education tends to decrease the potential and characteristics to get involved in crime. Academic success is also viewed as a factor that reduces the likelihood to commit crimes (Cunningham, 2008, p. 1). School readiness Studies have revealed high cognitive skills in children of educated mothers than those of the high school graduates. These children are able to take more education tasks and are more informed than those of mothers with lower education background. This means that attainment of higher education will bring forth future benefits of a more informed and learned society. According to research children between the age of 3-5, more than 36 per cent among them whose mother had university education could recite all letters of the alphabet, compared to less than 19 percent of those of high school graduate mothers (Hill, 2005, p. 1.). Ninety per cent of children from graduates’ mother read to not less than 3 times per week, in comparison with the 76 percent of those with high school mothers. Teachers of these children confirm that children from graduate mothers are more attentive in class than their counter parts. Though we can peg the success of these students on their mothers education, various statistics has confirmed that those women who graduate from higher learning are likely to pass that to their children (Baum & Payea, 2005, p. 16). Volunteerism Most of the graduates have been linked with involvement in social work, in hospitals and garbage collection, and children care centers through volunteering. This trend begins all the way from the university or college and most of the graduates’ behavior continues to a life time. This is an activity that benefits the society and is triggered by the intellectual skills and knowledge gained from the institutions of higher learning. Volunteerism among the graduates may also be stimulated by the experiences and lessons learnt out of class, especially by interacting with people of different backgrounds (Hill, 2005, p. 1). According to statistics (Bureau labor of statistics), college graduates volunteers double those of high school graduates. Most organizations involved in social work approaches graduates and college students more than those in high school as they are viewed as more capable and intellectuals. Graduates dedicate longer day hours in voluntary work than high school graduates, with more than 46 percent of college graduates volunteering for 60 hours in average annually, compared to less than 50 percent of those with only high school education (Hill, 2005, p. 1). Universities involve a lot of interaction and socialization among people of different culture, race, aspirations, tribes, and language group. Graduates are, therefore, equipped to work along people of all calibers, unlike high school who more or less interacts with relatives, same old friends, and their community members. Graduates can, therefore, adapt to any place in the world more easily than most high school graduates (College Degree, 2004, p. 1). College students are also much involved in blood donations, to save peoples’ life. This is a plus to the societal benefits of graduates. Blood donations are culture to most graduates as they began donating blood back from high school. According to statistics, more than 25 percent of college graduates donate blood regularly, compared to 11 percent of high school graduates and less than 6 percent of those with no high school education. This shows that university graduates are more involved in solving societal problems than high school graduates (Baum & Payea, 2005, p. 17). Drawbacks There have been various claims that the cost, time and dedications put by an individual university students are not worth all that trouble. In fact, some anti-college persons see studying degree as just a way of accumulating debts. The four years cost involved in studying for a bachelor degree is particularly high, and returns for many people are not enough. Students completing the degree never recover the cost of acquiring it (Hough, 2010, p. 1). Housing expenses around the university for both the community and students is truly high, bearing in mind that most students are from low income families. Students residing outside campuses have to commute daily and sometimes late at night. Many benefits and sponsorships initially offered to university students have declined as a university degree has become obvious to everyone. The issue of studying degree online has further reduced the worth and credibility of higher education (Brooks & Waters, 2011, p. 10). The quality of education being offered in most public university has been termed as theoretical and adds very little if any practical skills of problem solving. Most of the professors found in modern universities do not deliver as per their title. Students in public university have had a culture of relying on handouts from lecturers, where some of them pay others to do their exams. This further raises doubt on the quality and worth of acquiring a university degree. Arguing on the capabilities of the teachers questions the university education system and should not be a basis to question the benefits accrued from being a university graduate (Burnsed, 2011, p. 1). Large numbers of students attend college and university because of the pressure that teachers, guardians and the society exerts on them. Some students consider it as a norm after graduating high school. Some students graduate in university without having decided what they want to major and minor in or which profession they are best suited. In some of the universities, the government supported students have no freedom to choose the career of their choice; the board concerned tells the student what to do. This leaves many graduates stranded after the four years of study, when one is required to practice on his path of career (Hanford, 2013, p. 1). Graduates are given first priority even in jobs that may not require a university degree. This is a straight demonstration that people in the society have confidence in graduates, and still believes that they have a lot to offer in terms of skills and knowledge. The drawbacks of acquiring a university degree were based on the high cost involved. Statistics have clearly shown that graduates will earn more than those who have only high school education. This means that the cost incurred in attaining the degree is worth the high income that is due after completing university education (Cunningham, 2008, p. 2). Some students drop out of university after getting a well-paying job; this shows that money is not only a block to go back to college, but also some people dropout of college to earn. Students attending part time classes in college have a perception that university education is just an easy thing, hence triggering a belief in many people that acquiring a college degree is just a matter of attending evening classes (College Boards, 2013, p. 1). Another reason why a university degree is termed worthless is due to the increasing number of rich people who never attended any college or got any education. Some former college students claim that, they have learnt many lessons in life, far from their fellow high school classmates who joined college. However, this scenario can only apply to individuals who had both capital and entrepreneurial mind to invest wisely. This point is meant to dilute most people’s opinion that, money invested in higher education if invested in a small business can be productive (Burnsed, 2011, p. 1). Over the years, the number of students enrolling for a university degree has increased rapidly. This by its own is a sign that people value university education. In fact most people, view university degree as fundamental requirements for one to succeed in life. At the political level, the issue of higher education cannot be ignored. All current governments departments of the world are headed by degree holders. Today’s governments ask for high academic qualifications for employment in any of their departments, this further hypes the worth of acquiring a degree. Most political leaders use university students in their campaigns as they perceive them to be more knowledgeable and respected in the society, hence are able to convince others on the light direction. Though the world is experiencing a high rate of unemployment among the youth, those people with degrees suffer for a very short period before landing a well-paying job, but the same cannot be said for high school graduates and drop outs, who at times opt to go back to college or carry out manual works for a life time. University graduates are also likely to hold high positions in big companies, thus high school graduates may continue to take instructions from them. People may argue that, increased use of technology reduce employment opportunities and consequently lenders those with degrees worthless, but they forget that, most of these computerized machines are designed by graduates and will need learned people to, run, maintain and train the users (College Boards, 2013, p. 1). There are two reasons according to Tony Carnevale (Georgetown university center on education and the work force) why there is an increasing demand for higher education: he claims that most of the jobs are being offered in international job market, and that most of the jobs, initially requiring manual labor, have been computerized. Working oversees requires educated individuals with high intellectual capabilities and flexible enough to deal with the changing technology and environment (Cunningham, 2008, p. 3). Tony notes that, today’s current jobs require people who are good communicators as well as have strong knowledge and skills in decision making and problem solving. According to him college graduates are likely to have bigger salaries, health, and retirements benefits, than their high school counter parts. To him, those with a college degree are more satisfied with their current jobs. They are also more likely to raise kids who have high value for education, and are in good health as they are more aware of the health benefits (Cunningham, 2008, p. 3). Society as a whole has a lot to gain from those with higher education. The higher earnings of these graduates generate high taxes both at the local and international level. Increase in the number of these employed graduates decreases the dependency on public resources and hence reduces the government expenditure. However, one cannot clearly separate individual gains from those of the society. For example, in a company, all employees will benefits from the overall success and profits even if the success was as a result of the hard work and skills employed by one graduate (College Boards, 2013, p. 1). Conclusion The statistics provides overwhelming evidence that higher education produces assets (graduates), which keeps the economy of the country running, improves living standards of people, and contributes to a united and more informed society. The benefits of having a degree are clearly seen, whereas most drawbacks are just the minimal problems that are associated with a real system. However, different directions suits people differently, hence not every graduate will enjoy the benefits of having a degree and similarly not every high school dropout remain poor in the society. But, the fact still remains that, university graduates are more recognized, respected and recognized than other member of the society. References Read More