In America today, it seems that jobs are few and far between. Regardless of your background or experience it is no easy task to find long term employment that will support yourself along with a family. Rebecca Mead, in her article published in The New Yorker called Learning by Degrees, examines that in spite of coming out of college with a four year education you are not guaranteed a job. She examines that in even the safest degree, accounting, only forty-six percent of graduates were already offered jobs by graduation (Mead). Personally, I find this remarkable. Then again, it is a reminder that in our complex world today employers may not necessarily limit themselves to settling for a degree alone in a potential job candidate. College and a four year degree is an excellent option, however, because employers do look at education as a big factor.  It is also important to realize that higher education is not the only option for success. There are other ways that one can go about finding a job and making a living. I agree with Mead in her article in that it is good to nurture critical thought and develop the ability to respond intelligently, but I believe there are numerous ways to go about that and each one of us must find our own path. It is often thought that success can only be reached through higher education, but there are numerous paths to success and in reality not everyone’s path to fulfillment is the same because how and why we learn varies greatly.

It is no secret that a four year college degree is a beneficial path to economic advancement. Many of us are pushed by our parents and family members as well as our high school educators to pursue higher learning through a four year degree, and for good reason. While we have already established that jobs have become increasingly hard to find, the opportunities we do stumble upon often require a college degree. For a decent paying, stable employment opportunity you may be completely looked over immediately if you have no college education. Many companies realize that an employee coming in with a degree will have the best chance at being able to communicate effectively, respond appropriately, and think quickly in critical moments. All three of those things are important keys to success in almost any field you go into, as well as being effective in society and life in general. A college degree can most definitely be an effective means at reaching your goals in life and business.

Further, I gathered from Rebecca Mead’s article that she believes a college education is really the only way one can truly develop the ability to respond intelligently and think critically in society and the workplace. I agree this is one way, but it is not the only way. Even Mead examines in her article Times paper talking about a Professor at the University of Illinois, “‘Professor Vedder likes to ask why fifteen percent of mail carriers have bachelor’s degrees.’” Then Mead quotes Vedder directly, “‘Some of them could have bought a house for what they spent on their education’” (Mead). One of the more non-attractive aspects of college is, of course, the cost. It is already outrageous, and if you don’t have cash, student loans make that cost even worse. There are other options to be successful besides through college. Mead even recognizes the common examples of college dropouts Steve Jobs and Bill Gates. These dropouts turned into legendary business icons. Starting your own business is an option just like Gates and Jobs. Also, trade jobs are in demand. Electricians, plumbers, and welders are all examples of services that earn a lot of money and are in demand. Some trade school may be required, but it does not compare to having to go through the hassle of getting a college degree. Some people still want to challenge their mind and expand their knowledge and critical thinking skills, even though they may never go to college. This is still possible through many online free learning sources and classes. Khan Academy is a great example of a website with free online learning resources. This goes to show that even though you may not have a degree of higher education, through hard work, reading, and taking advantage of the many resources on the internet today, you can challenge and improve yourself extensively intellectually.

Moreover, everyone is unique in their abilities, personalities, and ultimately in the way they want to live their life. For some, the end goal is to get a good job and live in a nice house. For others, it may be simply to help people and make a difference in the community. Regardless of the end result, there are lots of ways to get there. Education and a four year degree will be the path for many, while others may be just as happy to join the workforce or get into a trade. Additionally, some others may end up getting a degree just for the purpose of expanding their mind but never working in that field. There are numerous things to consider when examining the many options and pathways. It is important to determine how hard you are willing to work to reach your end goal. Another important aspect to look at may be how your current talents and gifts can best be used to serve others, society, and yourself. In the end, you must find your own path.

Ultimately, people want to succeed and live fulfilled and happy lives. Many consider the only means to reach this end to be a college degree. Higher education through college is one excellent path to getting there. However, it is not the only way. It is also not the only way to expand and enrich your mind. Many jobs will nurture your mind and educate you to some degree. There are also lots of online resources for those who want to nurture their critical thinking skills, but a college education is not for them. This may be contrary to what Rebecca Mead said in her article, but I believe that there are multiple paths to success and many different ways to expand your mind. It is up to you to find the right path.

Works Cited

Mead, Rebecca. “Learning by Degrees.” The New Yorker 10 June 2010: n. pag. Print.