From one undergrad to another
When beginning my education at Guelph, I was eighteen and had just completed high school two months prior. Even with having had other opportunities to pursue, I chose to hunker down and begin my B.A in English. Still to this day, I question what it is that drove me to school when I had the chance to live in different Canadian cities, or even across the world, with my parents’ blessing to do whatever it was that made me happy. So, why would I have chosen to head right to school? I truly believe it was fear of the growing industry of university, and that if I didn’t start then I’d be left behind. Now, with a few more years of life experience, having traveled and studied, that idea is absurd to me, but I still feel this nagging sensation that I wasn’t wildly off base.
As someone working towards their bachelor’s degree, the most common question seems to be – what are your plans when you’re done school? Sure, it seems like a harmless enough question to ask, but after time and constant repetition, it does cause one to think that there is something to fear.
Though I cannot speak for all students, my experiences through primary and secondary school solidified the belief that if you work hard and apply yourself you will go to university, have a career, and be successful. The problem arises when all students are taught this mentality, as it changes the nature of choice pertaining to post-secondary studies. With the steady increase of students attending post-secondary institutions, it perpetuates the need for students to attend these establishments, and thus the cycle continues. So, this question of ‘what I’ll be doing’ may be harmless, but the primary issue it raises is the reality awaiting after graduation, of more qualified people applying for fewer ‘good’ jobs.
There was once a time when a degree was enough to set one apart or optimally one’s position for higher consideration when facing employment; this is unfortunately not the case anymore. These realities would cause a large number of students to enroll for reasons other than their own passion or self-fulfillment –whether that is parental/societal expectations, career expectations, or money, to name a few examples. These external factors are proving of more consequence to students’ choices regarding education than anything else. This has been proven time and time again when I’ve come across many students pursuing subjects of no interest to them, with their only driving force being either that, they understand it, so they ‘might as well,’ or the financial promises associated with given fields. The way our system functions has changed, as it is now unrealistic to expect guaranteed-to-retirement employment at 22, with these careers vanishing more and more rapidly.
All of these concerns are linked through the effect they’ve had on the university system and the value of an undergraduate degree. Now, we are seeing a system where education is less for the sake of education and the desire to learn, and more a stepping-stone to the corporate world.
The paradox this has created is almost entertaining, as the expectation is to earn your degree and put it to use; but many students are finding themselves without employment due to a growing age divide emerging with these changes. Many adults have been perfecting their industry over years of hands-on experience, and would hardly take kindly to recent graduates starting out with no experience and the shield of an education. Beyond issues employees could face amongst each other, greater issues are people not employing due to age discrimination, not having enough experience or education, or the fear for job stability. It would be hard to feel comfortable in a job when there is a seemingly infinite supply of people your age with the same qualifications if you don’t work in the ways the company would like.
Sadly, the attitude amongst many students has turned to mocking the current circumstances. But, it is understandable with a constant reminder that what await you are jobs you’ll hate and an insurmountable amount of debt. Despite all of this, one thing that hasn’t changed, and is arguably more necessary now than ever, is the need to work hard and apply oneself. It’s great that the education system is instilling the desire for higher education and applying oneself, but maybe that should be paired with an expressed importance upon the reality of the world and getting all you can from your education. Be sure to find the balance between enjoying your education and considering the future.