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College is considered by many to be essential, and something that you can’t get a good job without. They are right, but there are some exceptions. Before I tell you of these exceptions, allow me to tell you why college is important, and it would benefit you.
College is one of many deciding factors in what job you get. 65% of jobs in America require at least some college, and 35% of all American jobs require a bachelor’s degree. As for the other 35%, most of them will still favor someone with a degree over one without. Unless you want to work as a fry cook at McDonalds, it is within your best interest to get a degree.
I shall also acknowledge the expense of going to college. College is expensive! So expensive, in fact, that 44 million Americans owe a total of $1.48 trillion in debt from student loans. It is possible to reduce the cost of your student loan through scholarships and such, but full scholarships are rare and hard to obtain.
Now, as I mentioned earlier, there are ways to get a good paycheck without a degree, but these methods are not for everyone. The first and most obvious of these workarounds is the Military, which does not require a college education. However, you still need to do well in high school in order to join the military, as uneducated people should not be trusted with firearms and the lives of others.
Then, for those that are artistically inclined (and even those who aren’t, in some cases), you could become self-employed. Many artists work for themselves and are paid through the internet, living a generally happy life doing what they love. However, this is a very competitive field due to the number of people who want this type of job and are skilled with art.
YouTube is probably your best bet if you don’t actually draw on paper or with a tablet, as you can make videos of just about anything and get a decent following if you upload regularly and are passionate and unique. At the bare minimum, you can make a Vlog channel, although you need to live a life interesting enough for people to want to watch. Or, with the proper gear and software, you could make a gaming channel.
So, you’re probably wondering, “what’s the verdict? Is college necessary?” I say it depends on the individual, and you must decide for yourself. Are you already talented with a certain craft that others may benefit from? Do you have good work ethic? Do you get along well with other people? Are you prone to procrastination? Are you willing to be stressed, and fail many times before you hit it big? If you answer a strong yes to most or all of those questions, then you might be able to skip college. It is still risky, so I would really evaluate yourself before making a decision. College may be expensive, but you may be able to make money to compensate thereafter.
Thank you for reading, I will try to update more frequently in the future (no promises though.)
Sources:
Logic, reasoning, and personal experience.
