The value of college degrees is no longer what was thought in the past.
Is College right for you?
As an academic coach, I feel strongly about empowering people to make good decisions. I always encourage my clients to be honest with themselves and set up clear objectives. The truth is that even if you earn a college degree, it no longer guarantees a job or a certain amount of income. That doesn’t come as a surprise to those of us who have been in academia for a while. What excites me, however, is that the public is finally catching up by asking some tough questions. What is a college degree good for? Who needs it and why? Where does its value lie, and what does it contribute to our professional success?
Two recent events from last summer underscore these questions.
On June 26, 2020, then-President Trump signed an executive order overhauling government practices so that skills will be valued higher over degrees in federal hiring regulations. In short, if you have the skills and experience, you will no longer be automatically disqualified by government agencies on account of lacking a degree. (Source: USA Today)
At about the same time, Google announced its Certification Program that requires no previous degrees or experience. Translation: you don’t need to go to a fancy university to work for Google.
Notwithstanding how these new developments will unfold in the future, I am excited to see a trend towards relevant and appropriate skills. And while a college degree will continue to be meaningful for specific professions, it is good to see some spotlight on its value and meaning.