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How to Write the “Why this Major” College Essay + Examples

What’s covered:.

• What is the “Why This Major” Essay?
• Examples of “Why This Major?” Essay Prompts
• Tips for Writing the “Why This Major?” Essay
• “Why This Major?” Essay Examples

What to Do If You’re Undecided

The “Why This Major?” essay is a common prompt that nearly every college applicant will have to answer at least once. In this post, we’ll go over the purpose of this essay, examples of real prompts, sample responses, and expert tips for writing your own essay. If one of the colleges on your list asks you to respond to this prompt, you’ll be well-prepared after reading this post. 

What is the “Why This Major” Essay? 

In the college admissions process, you’ll need to submit two main types of essays: the personal statement and supplemental essays. The personal statement is your main application essay that goes to every school you apply to. The goal of this essay is to share more about who you are and your development. 

On the other hand, supplemental essays only go to specific schools, and each school requests their own essays. The goal of these essays is to showcase your fit with the school. Common prompts include “ Why This College? ”, “ Describe an Extracurricular ,” and “Why This Major?” 

The “Why This Major?” prompt in particular asks you, unsurprisingly, to explain your interest in your intended major. Colleges want to understand where you’re coming from academically, what your intellectual passions are, and what you plan to do professionally (at least roughly). If you aren’t 100% sure about what you want to study, that’s totally fine, but you do want to show that you’re an overall curious, engaged student.

It’s also meant to gauge your academic fit with the college, so you should be sure to cover school-specific resources related to your intended major that will help you achieve your goals. In other words, this prompt should actually be considered “Why This Major at This School?” 

Examples of “Why This Major?” Essay Prompts 

Before we dive in, let’s first take a look at some real-life examples of these prompts. 

For example, Yale requests that students write a 200-word supplemental essay based on the following prompt: 

Similarly, Purdue asks applicants to write 250 words in response to the below statement:

Carnegie Mellon , another top college, requires students to discuss the evolution of their proposed field of study, in 300 words or less: 

Finally, the University of Michigan asks students to craft a slightly longer essay, up to 500 words, about the qualities that attracted them to the college or school they’re applying to and how the curriculum will support their interests.

Tips for Writing the “Why This Major?” Essay 

Answering the “Why This Major?” prompt may seem like a difficult task. However, there are tips to help simplify the process and ensure your response addresses the question fully and effectively. Here are three steps for writing a standout essay about your major of choice: 

1. Share how your academic interest developed.  

The first step in crafting an effective “Why This Major?” essay is explaining your emotional resonance with the subject, and your background in it. While you might be tempted to write about your passion for the subject in flowery language, it’s better to share specific experiences that show how your interest developed. You should cover both the coursework that you’ve done in the field and any relevant extracurricular experiences. If you have space, you can also add in the specific subtopics that interest you within the major (i.e. analyzing gender relations or racism within the broader topic of sociology). 

You might also consider sharing a short anecdote related to your interest in the major. This strategy is especially effective at the beginning of the essay, as telling a story will both draw in the reader and provide context for your academic interest. For example, if you’re interested in studying English at Yale, you could start your essay by describing a childhood ritual in which you and your dad went to the library every Saturday.  

However, while anecdotes are crucial components of a college essay, students should choose what details to include with care. The most impactful essays tell a story, so you should refrain from listing all of your extracurricular activities that relate to your chosen major. This is not a resume! Instead, find ways of connecting your initial anecdote with your desire to pursue your major. For example, perhaps your early experiences at the library led you to get a job at a local bookstore and organize author readings for the community.

2. Detail your reasoning and goals.  

It’s not enough to express your passion for a particular subject. You also want to describe your goals and explain how majoring in your chosen field will help you achieve them. Perhaps your early experiences with authors inspired you to start a novel. You can further explain how majoring in English will enable you to study the great works of literature, thereby providing you with the background and foundation needed to find success as a writer.  

3. Explain your school choice.  

Finally, a “Why This Major?” essay should reveal how the college in question will help you achieve your goals. Your reasons should extend beyond “the college is highly ranked for this major,” as no matter how excellent the school’s reputation is, there are assuredly other colleges out there that are also strong in this department. Instead, dive into the curriculum, teaching methodology, specific classes, professors who are doing work in your area of interest, or other resources that can be found only at that school. 

For example, if you’re passionate about becoming a writer one day, take time to explain how Yale’s English program will set you on the road to success. Perhaps you’re interested in studying British greats through the famed Yale in London study abroad program. Or, maybe you plan on pursuing the Creative Writing Concentration as a senior to further refine your abilities to craft engaging narratives with compelling characters. 

You could also mention a desire to take a particular course, study with a certain professor, or work on the school newspaper. Just be careful not to “name-drop” professors⁠—only mention a specific faculty member if their work is highly relevant to your interests. Otherwise, your interest will look disingenuous.

“Why This Major?” Essay Examples 

To give you a better idea of what these essays should look like, below are a few example responses to the “Why This Major?” prompt.

One Christmas morning, when I was nine, I opened a snap circuit set from my grandmother. Although I had always loved math and science, I didn’t realize my passion for engineering until I spent the rest of winter break creating different circuits to power various lights, alarms, and sensors. Even after I outgrew the toy, I kept the set in my bedroom at home and knew I wanted to study engineering. Later, in a high school biology class, I learned that engineering didn’t only apply to circuits, but also to medical devices that could improve people’s quality of life. Biomedical engineering allows me to pursue my academic passions and help people at the same time.

Just as biology and engineering interact in biomedical engineering, I am fascinated by interdisciplinary research in my chosen career path. Duke offers unmatched resources, such as DUhatch and The Foundry, that will enrich my engineering education and help me practice creative problem-solving skills. The emphasis on entrepreneurship within these resources will also help me to make a helpful product. Duke’s Bass Connections program also interests me; I firmly believe that the most creative and necessary problem-solving comes by bringing people together from different backgrounds. Through this program, I can use my engineering education to solve complicated societal problems such as creating sustainable surgical tools for low-income countries. Along the way, I can learn alongside experts in the field. Duke’s openness and collaborative culture span across its academic disciplines, making Duke the best place for me to grow both as an engineer and as a social advocate. 

This student does a great job of sharing how their interest in biomedical engineering developed. They begin the essay with an anecdote, which is more engaging and personal than simply stating “I want to study X major because…” and then smoothly take us into the present, and show how their understanding of the field has become more sophisticated over time. It’s also clear this student has done their research on how Duke specifically can help them achieve their goal of being an engineer and social advocate, as they’re able to name several relevant resources at Duke, such as DUhatch, The Foundry, and the Bass Connections program. 

I woke up. The curtains filtered the sun’s rays, hitting my face directly. I got up, looked from the bathroom to the kitchen, but my dad wasn’t there. I plopped on the couch, then the door opened. My dad walked in, clutching a brown paper bag with ninety-nine cent breakfast tacos. After eating, we drove to a customer’s house. He sat me in a chair, lifted the floorboard, and crawled under the house to fix the pipes. As he emerged, he talked, but my mind drifted to the weight of the eleven-millimeter hex wrench in my hand. My interest in mechanical engineering originates from my dad, who was a plumber. When I was fifteen, my dad passed away from cancer that constricted his throat. Holding his calloused hand on his deathbed, I wanted to prevent the suffering of others from cancer. Two years later, when I was given a topic of choice for my chemistry research paper, I stumbled upon an article about gold nanoparticles used for HIV treatment. I decided to steer the topic of gold nanoparticles used for cancer treatment instead, entering the field of nanotechnology. After reading numerous articles and watching college lectures on YouTube, I was utterly captivated by topics like using minuscule devices to induce hyperthermia as a safe method of cancer treatment. Nanotechnology is multi-disciplinary, reinforcing my interest in pursuing mechanical engineering as a gateway to participate in nanoscience and nanotechnology research at the University of Texas at Austin. I have learned that nanotechnology is not limited to stories like mine, but to other issues such as sustainable energy and water development that I hope to work towards. It is important for me to continue helping others without forfeiting my interest in nanotechnology, working in collaboration with both engineering and the medical field.

The narrative style of this essay engages readers and keeps us eager to know what’s going to happen next. In terms of content, the student does a great job of sharing personal and specific details about themselves, the roots of their academic interests, and their motivation to pursue them in college. While this essay is very strong overall, it is missing the “Why nanotechnology at UT Austin?” element of this kind of prompt, and would be even more successful if the student mentioned a particular professor at UT Austin doing research in their area of interest, or a lab dedicated to work in the field of nanotechnology.

I held my breath and hit RUN. Yes! A plump white cat jumped out and began to catch the falling pizzas. Although my Fat Cat project seems simple now, it was the beginning of an enthusiastic passion for computer science. Four years and thousands of hours of programming later, that passion has grown into an intense desire to explore how computer science can serve society. Every day, surrounded by technology that can recognize my face and recommend scarily-specific ads, I’m reminded of Uncle Ben’s advice to a young Spiderman: “With great power comes great responsibility”. Likewise, the need to ensure digital equality has skyrocketed with AI’s far-reaching presence in society; and I believe that digital fairness starts with equality in education. 

The unique use of threads at the College of Computing perfectly matches my interests in AI and its potential use in education; the path of combined threads on Intelligence and People gives me the rare opportunity to delve deep into both areas. I’m particularly intrigued by the rich sets of both knowledge-based and data-driven intelligence courses, as I believe AI should not only show correlation of events, but also provide insight into why they occur. 

In my four years as an enthusiastic online English tutor, I’ve worked hard to help students overcome both financial and technological obstacles in hopes of bringing quality education to people from diverse backgrounds. For this reason, I’m extremely excited by the many courses in the People thread that focus on education and human-centered technology. I’d love to explore how to integrate AI technology into the teaching process to make education more available, affordable, and effective for people everywhere. And with the innumerable opportunities that Georgia Tech has to offer, I know that I will be able to go further here than anywhere else.

This essay has a great hook—it captures the reader’s attention and draws them into the story right away. Through this anecdote, the student shows their personality and interests, and then deftly transitions into talking about why Georgia Tech’s computer science program is the right match for them. The student explains how the College of Computing at Georgia Tech fits into their future by referencing “threads,” which are unique to the College of Computing’s curriculum and allow students to apply their CS coursework to particular areas. 

Just because you haven’t decided on a concentration doesn’t mean you’re out of luck when it comes to writing the “Why This Major?” essay. Ultimately, schools care less about knowing that you have your whole academic career planned out, and more about seeing that you are a genuinely curious, engaged student who does have intellectual passions, even if you’re still figuring out which one you want to pursue as a major. 

If you’re still undecided, you can opt to write about 1-3 potential majors (depending on the word count), while detailing how the school can help you choose one, as well as meet your broader academic goals. For best results, include personal anecdotes about a few academic subjects or courses that have inspired you, and share some potential career paths stemming from them. For more tips, see our post on how to write the “Why this major?” essay if you’re undecided . 

Where to Get Your “Why This Major?” Essay Edited 

Do you want feedback on your “Why This Major?” essay? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.  

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

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College Success

8 Reasons Why Having a College Degree Is Important

11.07.2022 • 9 min read

Bob Patterson

Former Stanford Director of Admissions

Learn more about why a college degree is important by understanding the benefits and value of having one.

In This Article

What Does a College Education Provide?

Why is it important to have a college degree, frequently asked questions.

In 2016, the Pew Research Center found that 75% of Americans with bachelor’s degrees are happy with their lives. College graduates described their educational experience as having a truly positive impact on their personal and professional development, saying it:

Was essential for their intellectual development

Opened doors to exciting job opportunities

Provided them with indispensable skills and knowledge for their careers

In the world of work, the Bureau of Labor Statistics found that those with college degrees have lower unemployment rates and higher median earnings overall.

We’ll cover even more benefits of a college degree.

Source: https://www.bls.gov/emp/chart-unemployment-earnings-education.htm

College is about more than just gaining subject knowledge–it’s about finding direction. Consider how these US schools describe their mission:

Northeastern University “encourages its students to grow as innovative problem solvers and entrepreneurs.”

Sarah Lawrence College aims to graduate “world citizens who are diverse in every definition of the word, who take intellectual and creative risks, and who cross disciplinary boundaries, within a framework of humanistic values and concern for community.”

MIT seeks “to develop in each member of the MIT community the ability and passion to work wisely, creatively, and effectively for the betterment of humankind.”

Through a combination of classes, internships, global opportunities, and connections, a college degree can provide you with real skills to navigate your career path and the world.

1. You Can Discover Your Niche

Through classes, lectures, and connections with professors, you can find your academic passions. You’ll develop your knowledge of subjects that truly interest you. Your academic passions are highly valuable to society and can lead to growth in their respective sectors.

For example, computer science and artificial intelligence have real applications for national security . According to a McKinsey Global Institute report, these fields can add 16% ($13 trillion) to global economic output by 2030.

2. You Can Increase Your Career Opportunities

Finding a job is one thing. Finding a job that allows you to support yourself financially, emotionally, and physically in the modern economy is another.

Of the 55 million job openings over the last decade, many of the fastest growing occupations require higher education, including:

Community services

Many US companies still require degrees. An Employability Report released by Cengage Group shows 62% of employers believe a degree is necessary for prospective employees. This may change in the future , but for now, entry into the competitive job market often requires a degree.

A good job, according to the Center on Education and the Workforce , “meets the minimum earnings standard for economic self-sufficiency.” Finding a good job directly correlates with a college education: 80% of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher had a good job compared with only 42% of those with only a high school diploma.

Source: https://cew.georgetown.edu/cew-reports/pathway/#resources

3. You Can Develop Essential Skills

A 2020 survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers reported the top requirements for employees:

Source: https://www.naceweb.org/talent-acquisition/candidate-selection/key-attributes-employers-want-to-see-on-students-resumes/

Whatever major you choose , going to college ensures you develop skills for life, careers, and our ever-changing world.

4. You Can Increase Your Earning Potential

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to find that education is the key to unlocking higher earnings. The trend is clear: doctoral and professional degree holders earn the most, and high school graduates earn the least.

Source: https://www.bls.gov/careeroutlook/2022/data-on-display/education-pays.htm

If you’re looking for the highest paying degree options, read 20 Highest Paying Degrees: Get the Most out of College. For more detail about lifetime salary, check out The College Payoff .

5. You Can Experience a Positive Return on Your Investment

Speaking of finances, although degrees can be expensive, many college graduates find that the return on investment (ROI) of their bachelor’s degree is positive. In fact, 72% believe their degree has paid off —even those who have received federal aid, scholarships , or loans . There are many ways you can pay for your education and avoid debt later in life.

6. You Have Access to Networking Opportunities

It’s no secret that networking is an essential part of job success . Whether you’re looking for a better job or climbing the career ladder, building a supportive network around you is critical. A network not only helps you discover new jobs, but also connects you with people already working at organizations you’re interested in. It enables you to weed out the jobs that don’t provide the best benefits or opportunities and to tailor your resume or interview to the new job.

All colleges have incredible career resources and extensive alumni networks for you to take advantage of, like:

Career fairs

Internship listings

Resume workshops

Interview specialists

Alumni connections

There’s really nothing you can’t achieve if you use all the college resources available to you.

7. You Have Access to Diverse, Global Opportunities

Our world is becoming increasingly global. New technologies make it easier to communicate across continents, transfer information across borders, and discover new ideas. Colleges actively look to make their campuses more diverse , simply because the interaction between college students with different views and opinions shapes the world.

With exciting study abroad options, hundreds of diverse student communities, and ever-expanding curricula, a college degree gives you opportunities to engage in the global community. This sets you up for success after graduation.

8. You Feel a Sense of Accomplishment

If nothing else, dedicating four years of your life to one community, lifestyle, and location can bring you a huge sense of accomplishment. You will have faced challenges, failed a few times, succeeded a few more, made some amazing connections, stepped out of your comfort zone, and discovered who you are and what you want. Yet whether you’ve learned a new language, built a computer, or discovered a cure for a disease, your confidence in your abilities should be sky-high after college. The world is your oyster: go get it!

How does college help me get a better job?

It all comes down to life skills. Regardless of subject or major, college exposes you to an incredibly diverse community with opinions that vary substantially from your own–all with the purpose of learning and advancing your knowledge. Teamwork, leadership, communication, planning, time management, independence… all the skills you need for life and a career, you learn at college. Think of college as a mini working environment, but there’s a safety net to help you when you fail and encounter challenges, which, ultimately, helps you grow.

Is a college degree really right for me?

Despite all the benefits of a college degree and how many times you hear that it’s necessary, a college degree isn’t for everyone. Depending on your skills, finances, and passions, college might not be the right place for you. We are usually ‘Team College,’ but we do understand that it doesn’t apply to every student.

Maybe you want to get a job right out of high school or you can’t see yourself doing the traditional four-year degree–that’s okay! You can enjoy the benefits of starting your work life early. Later on, you could take professional courses, go to community college, or work toward an associate degree. Going back to school at 40 is completely possible, and you can succeed here too! Whatever you decide, it doesn’t have to be forever. You can always change your mind.

How do I apply to college?

Glad you asked! There’s a lot to consider. First, you want to research your options. There are almost 4,000 universities and colleges in the US alone! Once you’ve identified colleges that interest you, you can start thinking about the application. Applications are full of information, documents, and essays, but it’s all totally manageable! Our ultimate guide can help you get started: Applying for College 101: How To Do It & What You’ll Need . College can be a great investment and an exciting start to your future. Not only can you have a wonderful life experience full of friends, learning, and opportunities, but you can also find the career of your dreams, increase your potential salary, and achieve a level of success and happiness you might not otherwise. College may not be the only path, but it’s a popular path for good reason.

About the Author

Bob Patterson is a former Director of Admissions at Stanford University, UNC Chapel Hill, and UC Berkeley; Daisy Hill is the co-author of Uni in the USA…and beyond published by the Good Schools Guide 2019. Together, they have established MyGuidED, a new educational tool for students looking to apply to university (launching 2023).

Degrees+: Discover Online College Unlike Anything You’ve Experienced

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Further Reading

18 high paying jobs and the degrees behind them, 20 highest-paying degrees: get the most out of college, types of student loans: which one is better for you, 45 easy ways to save money in college, college accreditation: a complete guide, the 5 best at-home jobs for military spouses [2023].

Benefits of College Degree

This essay will discuss the various benefits of obtaining a college degree. It will cover the long-term career prospects, potential for higher earnings, and the personal and professional development opportunities that a college education can provide. The piece will also explore the broader impact of higher education on critical thinking, communication skills, and societal contributions. At PapersOwl too, you can discover numerous free essay illustrations related to College.

How it works

Everyone wants an equal chance to achieve the “”American Dream.”” The average person wants to attend college, find a great career, start a family, and own a house and car. College provides students with a steady path, control over their lives, and a secure future. It has become the new way of life for current and future millennials. College has plenty of great benefits even though the cost of it dissuades people away, it is a great investment towards people’s future.

In the essay “”Should Everyone Go to College?”” Stephanie Owen and Isabel Sawhill explains how college is one of the smartest, beneficial, and courageous choices any person could make. College is no longer seen as a prerogative; it is very essential towards life because it can provide job security, better career opportunities, higher financial stability, a stable future, and affordable colleges.

Although college has turned into more of a necessity than an option in the past it was not as important. My grandparents did not even attend college. They started working at a young age, college was not even an option for them. Most people had to start working immediately to provide for their families. At the time the most important task was to take care of their loved ones. However, nowadays, college is very important. As the world is improving and moving forward, so is education. College has had a huge impact on our future. Higher education is critical for the workforce. Companies would rather have people who attended college because they are more educated. The demand for college graduates in the workplace is higher and employers are willing to pay them more money. According to Owen and Sawhill when we look at a lifetime earnings the sum of earnings over a career is five hundred and seventy for a bachelor’s degree and one hundred and seventy for an associates degree. Colleges give students skills that are valuable in their careers. College is the smartest way to reach higher levels in the workforce.

For instance, college provides job security and opportunities for students to further their careers. No one wants to be unemployed or to feel like they are replaceable. Without a college degree that can become possible. An employee with a degree is more valuable than one with a high school diploma. In the article “”College Education,”” the author states that college graduates are “”more likely than others to be employed and to have job benefits.”” It is more difficult to be replaced. How likely is it that an employer will replace a college graduate with a high school student? The chances of that are slim. College students are seen as an investment to the company. This makes college students less vulnerable to unemployment. In addition, better career opportunities are more likely with a college degree. Employers want workers who are trained physically and mentally to complete their jobs. College teaches students self – discipline, organization, and task management. These are qualities that an employer most seeks. Better career opportunities are limited to high school students. There is an extensive range of fields that propose a higher maneuverability for college graduates. Having a secure job and better career opportunities result in higher pay.

In addition, college graduates are more likely to receive higher pay as well. Money is one of the greatest motivators to attend college, however, it is a big deter away from college as well. Most people do not attend college because it is generally too expensive and some students are not aware of the grants and aids that they can be rewarded to attend. Some people believe college is not worth the investment. In the article “” Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say”” Leonhardt states “”often focus on the undeniable fact that a bachelor’s degree does not guarantee success.”” It is true that some college graduates end up in debt, drop out, or are unemployed. Although it all depends on the field of study they desire and what degree they receive. Overall investing in college will be very rewarding. College students will receive much more money throughout their lifetime than the average high school graduate. Owen and Sawmill explains “”on average, college graduates make significantly more money over their lifetime.”” The higher the degree the higher the pay. The money a college graduate will receive from their career will trump the cost of the college he or she attended.

College can help people secure a steady future. For instance, everyone wants their lives on a steady path and the best way is to secure a great job. A steady job is very important so people are able to provide for themselves and their families. No one wants a temporary job, where they can be replaced at any moment. In the essay “”The 7 Benefits of Going to College & Earning a Degree,”” by Becton Loveless explains “”Millennials with a college degree have lower unemployment rate and poverty rates than those without a degree.”” A constant paycheck is very important. Imagine a workers boss decided to demote them and now the worker does not make enough money to care for their family. This is why college is a great option to make unemployment less likely. Loveless explains “”Millennials with only a high school diploma are suffering more economically.”” Being financially equip to own a home is one of the largest dreams most people have. My family owns a home and it is so difficult to manage. Humans need steady resources to survive. Resources such as food, shelter, supplies, and money. College gives students hope for a steady and successful future.

Community college is a good option if a student can not afford a four-year university. In the article “”Two Years Are Better Than Four,”” Liz Addison states, “”They offer a network of affordable future, of accessible hope, and an option to dream””. For instance, community college is an affordable alternative and students still get the same education for a lower price. This is a smart financial investment because it will cause less debt. However, students can only earn an associate degree. Which is better than a high school diploma, but the higher the degree the higher the pay, “”sum of the earnings over a career— the total premium is 570,000 for a bachelor’s degree and 170,000 for an associate’s degree”” (Owen and Sawhill 320). Transferring to a four-year University after finishing an associate’s degree is highly recommended. Even though you have to pay more to attend a university, a student who attended two years in a community college and transferred still has less debt. Everyone is allowed to attend community college so you do not have to pay for application or transcripts. Students should make community college an option even though it is looked down upon.

College can provide the life that many people wish and dream of achieving. Growing up most people are told college is the option to succeed and that they have to attend higher schooling to have a meaningful life. However, this is not an accurate assumption, people can maintain a standard way of living without attending college, but college provides many useful benefits. For example, college can provide job security, better career opportunities, higher pay, a stable future, and affordable schooling. Everyone should make higher education a priority because it can improve their future and provided them with skills they may need in their future careers.

Addison, Liz. “”Two Years Are Better Than Four.”” Graff, et al., pp 365-368.

Graff, Gerald, et al., editors. They Say I Say.W.W. Norton & Company, 2017.

“”College Education Linked to Higher Pay, Job Security, Healthier Behaviors and More Civic

Involvement: New College Board Report.”” The College Board – College Admissions – SAT – University & College Search Tool, 29 Mar. 2017, www.collegeboard.org/releases/2016/college-education-linked-to-hgher-pay-job-security-healthier-behaviors-and-more-civic-involvement.

Leonhardt, David. “”Is College Worth It? Clearly, New Data Say.”” The New York Times, The

New York Times, 27 May 2014, www.nytimes.com/2014/05/27/upshot/is-college-worth-it-clearly-new-data-say.html.

Loveless, Becton. “”The 7 Benefits of Going to College & Earning a Degree.”” EDsmart, 5 Oct.

2016,www.edsmart.org/7-benefits-of-college-degree/.

Owen, Stephanie and Sawhill, Isabel. “”Should Everyone Go to College.”” Graff, et al., pp 318-332.

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Why a College Degree is Important

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10 Benefits of Having a College Degree

Obtaining your bachelor’s degree used to be a way for students to stand out from others in a highly competitive job market. In the last five years, however, the number of job postings requiring the minimum of a bachelor’s degree has increased significantly. This new standard shows that job applicants having a bachelor’s or an even higher education are becoming more common.

Does this mean that a bachelor’s degree doesn’t have value? Is it even important in today’s world of start-up entrepreneurs and self-employed business owners? Is it a worthwhile investment considering that student loan debt may be involved?

The answer, ultimately, is that it really depends on you. Your unique life goals, including your career aspirations, will determine if the bachelor’s degree is a good fit. 

Is College Necessary for a Successful Future?

A common question people tend to ask themselves when deciding whether or not to pursue a college degree is, “Can I succeed without college?”

This question is based on the various stories of Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, and other successful business owners who did not acquire their college degrees. However, these experiences are the exception and not the rule, bringing into question if acquiring a degree is worth the investment for the majority of people.

To make this decision, it is important to know what you envision for your future career, the range of skills you would need to succeed, and the life experiences you would need to get there. The combination of all of these elements will inform whether or not time in college would benefit your professional journey.

If your ideal career cannot be pursued without some sort of higher education, there is little doubt that a college degree will provide the necessary resources to succeed in that chosen profession. As mentioned above, the amount of people with a bachelor’s degree or higher has significantly increased, making a bachelor’s more of a necessity. This is why, for many people, earning a college degree is important to their success in today’s job market.

Let’s look at the benefits of earning a bachelor’s degree, and how your personal educational goals and lifestyle choices should be considered in making this major decision.

1. Increased Access to Job Opportunities

Having a bachelor’s degree opens up rewarding opportunities that might have otherwise been inaccessible. For example, college graduates see 57 percent more job opportunities than non-graduates. A degree enables you to qualify for these additional opportunities and offers you more flexibility in where you choose to work.

Not only are there more jobs available to degree holders than high school graduates, but the existing jobs are also more accessible. According to a government report focused on job market analytics, the total number of job postings requiring a bachelor’s degree from 2019 to 2022 reached nearly 98.5 million.

For job seekers, these online job postings are a primary tool for finding and applying to available roles. While more than 80 percent of all job openings for workers with a bachelor’s degree or higher are advertised online , only 50 percent of jobs requiring a high school diploma are posted online, making it harder for these workers to connect with prospective employers.

Pursuing a college education also expands your access to opportunities by connecting you to a lifelong network of colleagues, advisors, professors, and mentors. Over the course of your career, this network can open doors and connect you to industry leaders with whom you can share ideas and explore new ventures.

2. Preparation for a Specialized Career

As the world changes, the job market changes with it. Technology, education, and health are three of the most rapidly growing fields for a good reason; they evolve so often that only the most accomplished individuals can do the work. Getting a bachelor’s degree will help you learn the specific skills and habits needed to make a living in these areas. 

While not all degrees offer a direct route to a particular job (English, philosophy, or political science, for example), many are created with a specific career path in mind. An educational degree, for example, is designed as a funnel for teaching jobs; some health degrees also have very specialized jobs waiting at the end for those who complete them.

3. Increased Marketability

Having a bachelor’s degree will keep you in demand as the need for skilled, college-educated workers continues to rise. 

Over 80 percent of jobs in four of the fastest-growing occupations—healthcare, STEM, education, and government services—demand postsecondary education.

On your path to earning a bachelor’s degree, you’ll gain skills that will give you a competitive advantage in the job market. Today’s employers are most interested in applicants with exceptional communication, leadership, critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills . 

In college, you’ll have access to rigorous coursework and experiential learning opportunities that will arm you with these skills to make you more attractive to employers.

4. Increased Earning Potential

There is plenty of data that suggests college graduate majors can expect their starting salaries to increase over time, giving them hope for their future earnings. The greater your level of education, the higher you can expect your salary to be.

According to government data, the average salary of a bachelor’s degree recipient is $67,500 per year. With the current national average just below $56,000 per year, individuals with a bachelor’s degree are rewarded with higher earning potential as compared to high school diploma and associate degree recipients.

This trajectory of bachelor’s degree graduates has been on an upward trend as well. According to that same government report, from 2020 to 2022 the average median salary of individuals with a bachelor’s degree increased by nearly 20 percent.

5. Economic Stability

Of the 11.6 million jobs created since 2010, over 8.4 million jobs—95 percent—have gone to bachelor’s degree holders . Meanwhile, jobs for high school graduates have only grown by 80,000. It makes sense, then, that bachelor’s degree holders have a significantly lower rate of unemployment than high school graduates . As of 2022, the unemployment rate for those older than 25 with bachelor’s degrees is 1.9 percent, while over 3.6 percent of high school graduates in that age range remain unemployed.

Consequently, individuals without a degree are three times more likely to be living in poverty . According to Pew Research Center, only six percent of bachelor’s degree holders live below the poverty line, while an alarming 22 percent of people without a college degree live in poverty. Earning a bachelor’s degree will help afford you economic stability and security for the future.

6. Networking Opportunities

In today’s job market, building and maintaining a professional network is critical to success. Certain aspects of getting a degree, from interning to volunteering, are designed to help you meet people who can help design your future. 

Taking advantage of the various job fairs and career development resources that college students have available is a great way to put that degree to work, as well. 

When you get ready to finish your degree and head out into the world, degree earners can expect a level of support from their mentors and professors that isn’t available anywhere else.

7. A Pathway to Advancement 

Have you considered a career as a physical therapist, head librarian, or nurse anesthetist? These popular jobs usually require a bachelor’s degree as the first step before going on to get another, more-advanced degree. 

You’ll also need a bachelor’s before any Master’s or PhD , as well as the ever-popular MBA . Even if you’re not sure you’re up for the entire career path, earning a bachelor’s degree now puts you in the driver’s seat should you decide to pursue it later.

8. Personal Growth and Improved Self-Esteem

If you aren’t looking for the type of career that often comes from a four-year education, you may be questioning the value of a bachelor’s degree. 

There’s more to it than the paper, however; many students have found the experience to be deeply and personally rewarding, as well. In addition to gaining skills like writing, time-management, and working on a team, there are opportunities to polish presentation skills and interact with professors and students who will, later on, become part of your valuable career network . 

Earning a degree is empowering; it boosts confidence and provides a sense of achievement. The pursuit of higher education also equips you to master complex challenges and overcome adversity, contributing to increased happiness and reduced stress. This may be why bachelor’s degree holders report higher levels of self-esteem than high school graduates .

College graduates are also more likely to be involved in their communities. Compared to non-degree holders, they are more likely to vote, volunteer, donate to charities, join community organizations, and participate in educational activities with their children. As more active citizens, bachelor’s degree holders contribute to a stronger, more engaged community to provide opportunities for future generations.

9. Higher Job Satisfaction

Research shows that having a bachelor’s degree leads to greater long-term job satisfaction . The differences between degree and non-degree holders are stark:

• Eighty-six percent of college graduates consider their job a career or a stepping stone to their career, while only 57 percent of high school graduates say the same.
• The majority of bachelor’s degree holders—60 percent—say they are highly satisfied and their job is more than just a paycheck. Only 38 percent of degree holders report the same level of satisfaction.
• Forty-two percent of high school graduates say their job is “just to get them by,” compared to 14 percent of bachelor’s degree holders.

Bachelor’s degree holders also enjoy more on-the-job perks that contribute to a sense of career satisfaction. In fact, 52 percent of full-time workers with a degree were offered retirement benefits, compared to only 43 percent of individuals without a degree .

10. Positive Return on Investment

The cost of a degree may be daunting, especially with many students on the news sharing student loan woes and not feeling like the job market is friendly to their specific degree. While no one can argue that some degrees aren’t that easy to employ, many college grads are finding the ROI of a bachelor’s degree to be positive. 

Young adults express that their degrees are a good value, with 72 percent believing that their degree has paid off, and an additional 17 percent believing that it will very soon. This trend stays steady among those who borrowed for school, as well. Plus, there are many programs available to help pay for higher education; scholarships , grants and tuition reimbursement programs are all designed to help students avoid debt.

Using a Bachelor’s Degree to Your Advantage

Whether you are looking for more upward mobility in your career, a new opportunity to learn and grow professionally, or a better life for your family through a higher annual salary, the reasons for exploring a bachelor’s degree program are many.

In today’s market, the cost of not having a college degree is rising, as non-graduates face a lack of job options and increased economic instability. 

While earning a bachelor’s degree is a big commitment, the rewards are plentiful and within your reach. A brighter economic future, more career possibilities, and a greater sense of personal fulfillment are all possible with the acquisition of a bachelor’s degree.

Take the next step and request information on earning your bachelor’s degree today.

How America Started to Fall Out of Love With College Degrees

B ack around 2010, soon after the financial crash tanked the economy, Americans unflagging faith in higher education started to falter. By 2011, more than half of college graduates were unemployed or underemployed. If a bachelor’s degree was a golden ticket for some, for many others it wasn’t much.

The economy rebounded and the popular conversation faded, only to be revived again by the epic fallout from a once-in-a lifetime global pandemic. This time, the college degree’s comeuppance has been more profound. It may also be more durable.

In 2019, Americans ranked “preparing for college” tenth on a survey conducted by Populace , a nonpartisan think tank, which asks respondents every year to rank answers to the question ‘what is the purpose of education?’ In 2022, respondents ranked it 47 out of 57 items.

“The value proposition of college may not be what it once was,” says Todd Rose, co-founder of Populace and author of Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions.

More from TIME

He’s clear that the data don’t say it’s not valuable but rather a prioritization of careers, and the pursuit of meaningful work has surpassed it. People want it to be on the menu, but not to be the menu.

“They want it to be an option, but not the point,” Rose explains. “They want more opportunities, they want their kids to have a wider range of outcomes.”

In 2009, 70% of recent high school graduates enrolled in college. In 2021, that figure was 61.8%, about where it was in 1994. What happened?

In the Populace study, the number one skill for the fourth year in a row was “students develop practical tangible skills” such as managing one’s finances and preparing meals. Other highly-ranked measures included thinking critically to problem solve and make decisions and demonstrating character. Being prepared for a career ranked sixth, up from 27 before the pandemic.

We’ve gone from pursuing the American Dream to pursuing more doing, perhaps because the act of doing different things helps us to better understand what kind of work we want to do. College is a necessary and valuable pathway for many careers; it can help learners expand their worlds and try out different identities in it. It can be transformative for individuals and families, especially first generation college students. And it should be a foregone conclusion that primary and secondary education prepares all students for the option of going to college.

But just as not everyone is cut out to be a pilot, or a plumber, not everyone needs to spend two or four years studying. Students’ interests vary widely, and their flourishing will require more recognition by all of us that human variation is a feature and not a bug. We got to 70% by way of social engineering, not choice. Campaigns extolling higher education as a way to work “smart” rather than working “hard,” with images of a dirty plumber next to a shiny college graduate did not factor in the price of tuition and the time and skills needed to complete a college degree.

There are also structural reasons underpinning our nation’s newfound hunger for skills. An unusually tight labor market means employers are less inclined to require degrees. What started with tech—remember Peter Thiel of PayPal telling everyone to ditch college and become a billionaire like him?—has now spread to reach even the public sector, with Pennsylvania being the latest state to drop the college degree requirement for most state jobs. Harvard Business Review last year estimated that 1.4 million jobs will be available to workers without college degrees in the next five years (“Jobs do not require four-year college degrees. Employers do,” the report says, noting employers are changing their minds.). Even Barack Obama is tweeting about “unnecessary college degrees.” Just under two thirds of Americans do not have a Bachelors’ degree, and many careers don’t require it.

The alternatives now available for learning and training are far richer than they used to be. Before the pandemic Coursera added about two million new learners a quarter; since the pandemic, that’s increased to five million per quarter, with 113 million registered learners. That platform offers courses in everything from computer science to the secrets to happiness; skills and academic training for businesses to offer employees; and degrees. According to internal search data at Google, over 50% of degree searches in 2022 were for nontraditional pathways.

“Degrees are only part of the landscape,” says Paul LeBlanc, president of Southern New Hampshire University, which educates 4,000 students in its residential campus and 181,000 online. “There are now a broader range of providers and of credentials.”

Too many Americans cannot afford the time it takes to get a degree, or the astronomical price tag of it. Affordability and employment are the top priorities for Americans when it comes to higher education.

The U.S.’s mistake was not in lionizing higher education, which is a noble pursuit, but in stigmatizing the alternatives. In Germany and Switzerland , half to nearly two thirds of students pursue vocational education. Classroom learning does not end, but changes.

If we want to focus on helping young people prepare for meaningful work, we don’t need to declare the college degree dead. Colleges are excellent at developing many of the power skills (formerly known as “soft” skills) that employers want to hire for : including analytical thinking, active learning and complex problem solving. Graduates advance science and build knowledge. And data continue to show that college graduates earn more, are employed at higher rates , and tend to have a stronger sense of identity than those with only a high school degree. A 2016 Pew Research Center report states that 77% of workers with a postgraduate degree and 60% of workers with a bachelor’s degree believe their jobs give them a sense of identity, versus just 38% of those with only a high school diploma or less.

Identity and purpose are not goals to be scoffed at a moment in history when despair and despondency seems the coat we wear too often. But the reality is that there are many ways to build identity and purpose, of which a college degree is one, and many pathways to good earnings, especially when the fastest growing jobs require specialized expertise (vaccine specialist; diversity and inclusion manager, customer marketing manager).

Even if the purpose of a degree is not simply to prepare for work, at the end of four years and tens of thousands of dollars spent, it is imperative students find sustainable work. Too many don’t make it through, and can’t get a good job afterwards.

A staggering 38% of students who start college or university do not finish, leaving them saddled with debt and no degree. The main reasons include costs, stress and uncertainty . One-fifth of college students are parents , and around 40% work , making the balance of work and study tricky. Plenty of people will still flock to university but those universities can certainly better help those who start a degree to finish it. They could also offer a broader range of credentials and in a more compressed time scale.

Rose also argues the data showing better earnings and life satisfaction may be lagging. “Sometimes there’s a pretty important threshold event that changes things pretty fundamentally either about what people want, or the value proposition of the thing.” He believes that threshold event was Covid and that the desire to prepare more thoughtfully for finding and securing meaningful work is a fundamental change in values that will not wane with the job market.

The college landscape may change as the economy does. Periods of high unemployment have typically tracked with higher levels of enrollment in higher ed. According to The Common App, the most common way U.S. students try to get to college, the number of applicant s is up 20% for 2023, compared to 2019.

But what COVID offered us beyond a sometimes-unsatisfactory view inside the black box of education was a rethinking of priorities. What’s an education for? If it’s to prepare for meaningful work, and meaningful lives, an arms race toward college, affordable for only the elite, is not a sustainable way forward. Young people are facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, the result of a global pandemic, a burning planet and the ubiquity of brain-addling technology. We should offer them a broader set of opportunities and pathways to realize their future selves—including, but not extolling, the college degree.

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Essay and dissertation writing skills

Planning your essay

Writing your introduction

Structuring your essay

• Writing essays in science subjects
• Brief video guides to support essay planning and writing
• Writing extended essays and dissertations
• Planning your dissertation writing time

Structuring your dissertation

• Top tips for writing longer pieces of work

Advice on planning and writing essays and dissertations

University essays differ from school essays in that they are less concerned with what you know and more concerned with how you construct an argument to answer the question. This means that the starting point for writing a strong essay is to first unpick the question and to then use this to plan your essay before you start putting pen to paper (or finger to keyboard).

A really good starting point for you are these short, downloadable Tips for Successful Essay Writing and Answering the Question resources. Both resources will help you to plan your essay, as well as giving you guidance on how to distinguish between different sorts of essay questions. 

You may find it helpful to watch this seven-minute video on six tips for essay writing which outlines how to interpret essay questions, as well as giving advice on planning and structuring your writing:

Different disciplines will have different expectations for essay structure and you should always refer to your Faculty or Department student handbook or course Canvas site for more specific guidance.

However, broadly speaking, all essays share the following features:

Essays need an introduction to establish and focus the parameters of the discussion that will follow. You may find it helpful to divide the introduction into areas to demonstrate your breadth and engagement with the essay question. You might define specific terms in the introduction to show your engagement with the essay question; for example, ‘This is a large topic which has been variously discussed by many scientists and commentators. The principle tension is between the views of X and Y who define the main issues as…’ Breadth might be demonstrated by showing the range of viewpoints from which the essay question could be considered; for example, ‘A variety of factors including economic, social and political, influence A and B. This essay will focus on the social and economic aspects, with particular emphasis on…..’

Watch this two-minute video to learn more about how to plan and structure an introduction:

The main body of the essay should elaborate on the issues raised in the introduction and develop an argument(s) that answers the question. It should consist of a number of self-contained paragraphs each of which makes a specific point and provides some form of evidence to support the argument being made. Remember that a clear argument requires that each paragraph explicitly relates back to the essay question or the developing argument.

• Conclusion: An essay should end with a conclusion that reiterates the argument in light of the evidence you have provided; you shouldn’t use the conclusion to introduce new information.
• References: You need to include references to the materials you’ve used to write your essay. These might be in the form of footnotes, in-text citations, or a bibliography at the end. Different systems exist for citing references and different disciplines will use various approaches to citation. Ask your tutor which method(s) you should be using for your essay and also consult your Department or Faculty webpages for specific guidance in your discipline. 

Essay writing in science subjects

If you are writing an essay for a science subject you may need to consider additional areas, such as how to present data or diagrams. This five-minute video gives you some advice on how to approach your reading list, planning which information to include in your answer and how to write for your scientific audience – the video is available here:

A PDF providing further guidance on writing science essays for tutorials is available to download.

Short videos to support your essay writing skills

There are many other resources at Oxford that can help support your essay writing skills and if you are short on time, the Oxford Study Skills Centre has produced a number of short (2-minute) videos covering different aspects of essay writing, including:

• Approaching different types of essay questions  
• Structuring your essay  
• Writing an introduction  
• Making use of evidence in your essay writing  
• Writing your conclusion

Extended essays and dissertations

Longer pieces of writing like extended essays and dissertations may seem like quite a challenge from your regular essay writing. The important point is to start with a plan and to focus on what the question is asking. A PDF providing further guidance on planning Humanities and Social Science dissertations is available to download.

Planning your time effectively

Try not to leave the writing until close to your deadline, instead start as soon as you have some ideas to put down onto paper. Your early drafts may never end up in the final work, but the work of committing your ideas to paper helps to formulate not only your ideas, but the method of structuring your writing to read well and conclude firmly.

Although many students and tutors will say that the introduction is often written last, it is a good idea to begin to think about what will go into it early on. For example, the first draft of your introduction should set out your argument, the information you have, and your methods, and it should give a structure to the chapters and sections you will write. Your introduction will probably change as time goes on but it will stand as a guide to your entire extended essay or dissertation and it will help you to keep focused.

The structure of  extended essays or dissertations will vary depending on the question and discipline, but may include some or all of the following:

• The background information to - and context for - your research. This often takes the form of a literature review.
• Explanation of the focus of your work.
• Explanation of the value of this work to scholarship on the topic.
• List of the aims and objectives of the work and also the issues which will not be covered because they are outside its scope.

The main body of your extended essay or dissertation will probably include your methodology, the results of research, and your argument(s) based on your findings.

The conclusion is to summarise the value your research has added to the topic, and any further lines of research you would undertake given more time or resources. 

Tips on writing longer pieces of work

Approaching each chapter of a dissertation as a shorter essay can make the task of writing a dissertation seem less overwhelming. Each chapter will have an introduction, a main body where the argument is developed and substantiated with evidence, and a conclusion to tie things together. Unlike in a regular essay, chapter conclusions may also introduce the chapter that will follow, indicating how the chapters are connected to one another and how the argument will develop through your dissertation.

For further guidance, watch this two-minute video on writing longer pieces of work . 

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Is a University Degree Necessary to Success? Essay Example

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In the past decade or so, the United States has been transformed from a manufactured based economy to knowledge and technology based world. Today a college education is just as important as a high school education was fifty years ago. A college degree is the foundation of a stable future. There are many reasons why a college degree is so important and necessary today. People who obtain a college education have a higher lifetime wages earned than people who do not have a college degree. This fact alone ensures a better quality of life for the college graduate. In today’s world, most employers prefer to hire persons who have a college degree or some type of technical certification. People without college educations are limited to the manufacturing and construction industries because these two industries are still based upon “working your way to the top”.  It is very possible that a person with only a high school diploma may obtain a job that pays well and provides great benefits; it is more likely that a college graduate will. A college degree is difficult to obtain for most, but it is well worth the difficulty in the long run.

A college degree provides one with the essential tools to compete in the world market for employment. The most important part of obtaining a college degree is the fact that one has a diploma that certifies that he/she is qualified to perform a certain job. When employers are in the process of hiring a new employee, they go through many resumes. Most employees are looking at the education section of the resumes to help them narrow their search. Most resumes without a college degree added will be discarded. Employers are looking for potential candidates that will be an asset to the company, but will require minimum investment of company money and training.

A college degree is beneficial because college students gain a wealth of experience and they have an opportunity to network with professors and fellow students. College professors often relay their personal experiences and failures with their students. Networking is so important. The old cliché, “It’s not what you know, but who you know”, is still true today. Often college students make lasting friendship through sororities and fraternities, campus organizations, work study appointments, and various other connections. College students have the opportunity to attend job fairs, research programs, and mentorships. These connections can be used later to secure jobs. In some cases, college students have a job secured before they even graduate. For example:

College also helps to discipline students. People who are lazy or procrastinators usually don’t make good employees. Likewise, these types of people don’t usually make good students. Most students who cannot manage their time and prioritize never obtain a college degree. So, the fact that a potential employee has received a college degree tells employers that the person has a drive to complete tasks. The college world is structured; students who are success are able to adapt to this world and meet deadlines and stay on task with various things going on around them. So, when a student has obtained a college degree it demonstrates that he/she has the ability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and produce quality work. These are three skills that a many employers are looking for.

In recent years, members of minority groups have expressed that a college degree is especially important to them. A survey conducted concluded that Asian, Latinos, and African Americans believe that a four year college degree is necessary for them to be successful in life. Some minorities even said that they believe they value a college degree more than non-minorities because they feel that they have to be twice as good to be chosen over non-minority candidates. Likewise, about 70 percent of Latinos agreed with the statement, while only about 47 percent of whites agreed that a college degree was necessary to their success ( Bower & Wolverton, 2009). One African American woman interviewed stated that she saw how hard her mother worked to take care of them, so she knew that she would have to find a better route. She knew that obtaining a college degree was imperative. Many of minorities agreed that they are treated differently when they interview for a job. They don’t feel that they are expected to be intelligent and are usually hired for only entry level jobs. Bower & Wolverton (2009) discuss how African American women view success and leadership. The book focuses on women who have reached great heights in their careers and how they credit a college degree with making their successful life possible. They discuss how difficult it is to be accepted as successful in a male oriented arena. For them, the measure of success is when they are able to acquire jobs that are usually dominated by men. For example, one woman interviewed said, “If it were not for my college degree, I know I would be doomed to a mediocre job that would not pay enough for me to provide for my family in a respectable way” (Bower & Wolverton, 2009 ).

Being a first generation college graduate is very important to students who have parents who did not have the opportunity to attend college. Minorities can especially relate to this because for African American, being able to read and write was punishable by death. As a result, parents and grandparents of African Americans stress the important of their children obtaining a college degree. Even within the African American communities, gaining a college degree is very important. When one has been a part of a community that was denied access to education, it becomes a community effort.  As the overall college graduation rates of minorities increase, groups that are typically underrepresented have a realistic goal to aspire to. So, when minorities receive college degrees, they are inspiring other minorities to do likewise. Cox (2009) discusses the fear that many college students have of failing because their communities and family members have invested so much in their success. Cox interviewed various students from universities and colleges across the United States that were enrolled in English courses. He noted that many of the students that he interviewed would be considered failures by society because they did not obtain a college degree or enrolled and dropped-out for various reasons. He discussed some of the self-undermining behaviors that college students have that hinders them from completing college. “I would never be able to graduate anyway, so I might as well drop out now”, ( Cox, 2009) is a common excuse that students tell themselves.  Many of them cannot commit to goals or miss too many class meetings. He feels they do this in order to down play how challenged they feel to complete college and obtain a degree. As a result, if they do fail they will be able to say that they just didn’t apply themselves. He also examined the views of people who about community colleges. He argues that colleges should address the fear factor that students face.

Although a college degree is necessary to success, there are some barriers that hinder or prolong the time needed to obtain a degree.  For example, poor high school academic success can become a major road block to students who want to obtain a college degree after graduation. Students who have not maintained a good grade point average may find that they have to attend a local community college before be accepted into a four year institution. This allows the student to work hard and strengthen their grade point averages. Nonetheless, this often wastes valuable time for the student because he/she is only taking basic courses in preparation for the four year college. So, it is wise if any student who intends to attend college maintain a solid grade point average in high school. On the other hand, some students are academically prepared for college, but are just financially unable. These students find themselves with a great dilemma. Many of them just decide to borrow the money; other students decide to work part-time and attend college. Some students may even work full-time and attend night classes. However, all of these produce other dilemmas. Some students find it difficult to manage their time between work and school. As a result, academics often go lacking. Some eventually give up and begin working full time and never finish obtaining a college degree. Also, there is the myth that some degrees are more apt for success than others. Dietz(2009) discusses the debate over whether or not certain major guarantees the success of a particular student. With the costs of college degrees gradually increasing nearly every year, parents, students, and counselors are trying to make sure that college graduates degrees are worthwhile in the future. Consequently, researchers are trying to determine if the choice of college major has any bearings on the success of the student or if any one major is more likely to be more successful than another. Finally, Dietz stated, Success truly depends upon the person, but having a college degree definitely decreases the odds of failure”( Dietz, 2009 ).

Non-traditional students face even more barriers when trying to obtain a college degree. Non-traditional students are those that don’t fit the ideal of what a college student is. These students are typically older and are carrying many family and personal responsibilities that ideal college students are not. However, it has been documented that non-traditional students have success just as traditional students. For example, “Nationally, non-traditional students have lower completion rates than traditional students. However, a longitudinal study proved that , five years after enrolling, only 26.7% of non-traditional students had achieved their objective of an associate degree compared with 53.4% of traditional students” (Dietz, 2009) Barrow & Rouse(2012), examine how financial incentives can motivate students to work more diligently in class. They noted that females tend to be more enticed by financial benefits; however, male students were less motivated by financial benefits. The authors insist that this rule is true for adult life and success too. They believe that students who equated money with success were more apt to do well if the reward was monetary. While for most males, success is equated with self-efficacy and personal satisfaction. Likewise, some students drop-out of school when they begin working because they feel the money they are making will be efficient for what they want at the time.

A college degree is the ultimate foundation for one’s future. A proper education helps one to reach goals and become an effective member of society. With a great education comes more choices and opportunities to live a successful and happy life. Earning adequate money to provide for one’s family is the number one reason why so many people choose to obtain a college degree. For minorities, obtaining a degree is very important because they have lived firsthand the barriers caused by being uneducated. Consequently, minority communities’ support and influence young people to obtain college degrees. People without college degrees are limited to the types of jobs and incomes they can obtain. While those with college degrees have many choices and earn much more money than those without college degrees. There are so many advantages to obtaining a college degree. College graduates have a better income and access to healthcare services, which ensure a healthier, more productive life. The 21 st century is called the knowledge economy. Jobs that pay great wages, especially those in the manufacturing field, require manual labor, long hours, and often dangerous circumstances. The jobs that people worked 50 years ago are constantly being phased out through the development of new technology. A college degree does not guarantee success, but it definitely makes success more possible. Consequently, anyone who can obtain a college degree should. It requires hard work, diligent study habits, time, and devotion, but it is worth all of that. Education ensures a great future is possible.

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Essay About Importance of University Degree

As the world advances, there is a need for students to embrace university education. Parents and teachers need to motivate their children on the importance of a university degree. Many students work hard to attain their goals in certain professions when they receive motivation to keep pressing on. There are various motivators to students achieving their targets in life and having a university degree essay. Parents should ensure that their children get fired up for their academic life. The prime purpose of university education is the provision of knowledge and skills required for the job market. 

University education may take a lot of time and resources to attain the skills and knowledge needed by an employer but also valuable for getting a good life. University education is a valuable asset that we need in life. A degree opens doors for numerous required benefits in life to become productive and attain personal objectives and financial goals as you broaden your intellectual curiosity. A university graduate has various benefits because of the broad knowledge that they acquire. 

The people who desire to join universities find university experience more enjoyable and beneficial because the expertise prepares them for a better life and productive people in society. University education guarantees employment opportunities and has numerous benefits, such as maintaining good team cooperation, networking with other people, and being open-minded. The universities teach on various developments, and students open up their minds and understand the world. An open-minded student has wider employment opportunities and knowledge of the world. 

The main reason students attain university education is to get the knowledge and skills required by an employer and achieve their financial goals. A university graduate in English has a high chance of traveling worldwide to share the knowledge and skills that they require to succeed in life. A degree holder can contribute to developing other people through education. University education is not valuable for anyone who needs to have financial freedom or change their living standards because they will have to share their knowledge with other people they interact with. 

Financial freedom gives people a chance to travel around the world and contribute to the wellbeing of others through volunteers and donations to other less fortunate people. Universities may be expensive because of their high fees and other expenses such as travel, food, accommodation, and tuition fees. The job market requires people employees who are fully-baked to meet the requirements of the job market. The people who need to get higher salaries should move to pursue a university degree. Hard work and focus is the necessity to attaining the goals that we need in life. 

The lecturers in the universities are well trained and equipped to offer knowledge to the students to ensure that they attain good education, knowledge, and skills to counter anything in their lives. Lectures are the motivating factor to ensuring that students are well equipped for the job market. They encourage students to work hard, stay simple, honest, and transparent in their work. Employers look for employers with university degrees who are also open and well equipped with integrity, knowledge, and skills to handle the job and tasks assigned to them. 

Students who attend universities get equipped with various skills and knowledge to tackle life’s challenges. There are numerous opportunities for university graduates. We need to read of an essay about importance of university degree.

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IELTS Band Nine Sample: Does University Guarantee You a Good Job?

Two common topics in the IELTS writing exam are work and education. On this page, you can look at an IELTS band nine sample of an essay that covers both topics. Keep scrolling at the end of the essay for a breakdown of the vocabulary I've used. If you want to improve your writing, you…

Band Nine Sample Answer

Some people believe that a good university degree is a guarantee of a good job. what is your opinion.

As the job market gets tougher, many students are hoping that a strong undergraduate or postgraduate diploma will secure their career success. In this essay, I will argue that a good degree is not necessarily enough to secure a dream job. First, because it is important for applicants to distinguish themselves from their peers through extracurricular activities. Second, because career success requires a range of non-academic skills.

First, if students want to work at a top company, they need to demonstrate other experiences to outcompete other well-qualified candidates. As the amount of funding for university students has increased, a greater percentage of young people have achieved good degrees. As a result, it is likely that for the best jobs, all applicants will have a good degree as a minimum. If students want to stand out, they will need to demonstrate additional experience. For example, all other things being equal, a student who was the president of a university sports team will be more employable than someone without this type of experience.

Furthermore, while employers in the past may have prioritised educational background, modern hiring managers take a more holistic view of the skills necessary to succeed. Although a strong academic background shows intelligence and communication skills, companies recognise that other skills are just as important. For example, companies know that a book-smart employee who is not able to work as part of a team or take initiative may end up being a liability . Consequently, to secure a good job, it is essential to find ways to demonstrate these other skills.

In conclusion, I do not believe that a good degree is enough to guarantee a good job. To distinguish themselves from others, applicants need to have experience and non-academic skills.

Vocabulary Breakdown

This list contains some of the rarer language from the sample essay. Several of these words have more than one meaning. To keep things short, I have only given the relevant meaning for this essay.

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You Don’t Need a College Degree to Land a Great Job

Four social media strategies you can use to stand out.

Not having a college degree shouldn’t diminish your chances of securing a good job. One of the best ways to move forward is to create a strong social media presence. It will help you stand out, get noticed by potential employers, and find a job you want.

• Start by auditing your social media profiles. Make sure your profile picture looks professional and real. When you share your work experiences, ensure that they match your résumé. Don’t hesitate to include any additional details about your jobs (such as additional responsibilities, awards, etc.) that you couldn’t fit on your résumé.
• Pay attention to the people you follow. Connect with industry leaders and potential employers, especially on platforms like LinkedIn. Like, share, and respond to their updates.
• Prove your passion. Follow hashtags and discussions and stay abreast with the latest industry news. Focus on the content you share, write, and post. When you see an interesting topic, repost the articles and share your commentary or thoughts.
• Finally, learn new skills and show them off on social platforms. Did you just learn Adobe Illustrator? Share a certification or a new project you completed as part of the course. Know that you don’t have to be an expert to share your skills. If you’re a self-taught baker, you can create interesting video content using Instagram Reels and TikTok to share your knowledge.

Where your work meets your life. See more from Ascend here .

In the 19th century, Horace Mann, a pioneer of American public schools, famously called education the “ great equalizer of the conditions of men .” But for decades now, the education system has revealed — and amplified — existing social inequalities.

• JM Jeff Mazur is the executive director for  LaunchCode , a nonprofit aiming to fill the gap in tech talent by matching companies with trained individuals. As one of the winners of the  2017 MIT Inclusive Innovation Challenge , LaunchCode has been recognized for expanding “the tech workforce by providing free coding education to disadvantaged job seekers.” Jeff lives in St. Louis with his wife and twin girls.

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Having a good university degree guarantees people a good job To what extent do you agree?

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Fully explain your ideas

To get an excellent score in the IELTS Task 2 writing section, one of the easiest and most effective tips is structuring your writing in the most solid format. A great argument essay structure may be divided to four paragraphs, in which comprises of four sentences (excluding the conclusion paragraph, which comprises of three sentences).

For we to consider an essay structure a great one, it should be looking like this:

• Paragraph 1 - Introduction
• Sentence 1 - Background statement
• Sentence 2 - Detailed background statement
• Sentence 3 - Thesis
• Sentence 4 - Outline sentence
• Paragraph 2 - First supporting paragraph
• Sentence 1 - Topic sentence
• Sentence 2 - Example
• Sentence 3 - Discussion
• Sentence 4 - Conclusion
• Paragraph 3 - Second supporting paragraph
• Paragraph 4 - Conclusion
• Sentence 1 - Summary
• Sentence 2 - Restatement of thesis
• Sentence 3 - Prediction or recommendation

Our recommended essay structure above comprises of fifteen (15) sentences, which will make your essay approximately 250 to 275 words.

Discover more tips in The Ultimate Guide to Get a Target Band Score of 7+ » — a book that's free for 🚀 Premium users.

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Some university students want to learn about other subjects in addition to their main subjects. Others believe it is more important to give all their time and attention to studying for a qualification. Discuss both these views and give your opinion.

The tv and the internet provide opportunity to ordinary people to become famous.is this a positive or a negative development, some people think that economic progress is the only way to measure a countries success, while others think that other factors can be used to measure a countries success. what are these factors which do you think are most important, some people believe that it is possible for a country to be economically successful and have a clean environment. others argue that these two aims are not compatible. discuss both views and give your opinion., nowadays most green energy is becoming ever more prevalent in both developed and developing countries. some argue they greatly reduce costs and are better for the environment, others believe they are a serious threat to energy security. discuss both views and give your opinion..

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Having a good university degree guarantee people a good job. To what extent do you agree or disagree? v.2

Ielts essay having a good university degree guarantee people a good job. v. 2.

• Structure your answers in logical paragraphs
• ? One main idea per paragraph
• Include an introduction and conclusion
• Support main points with an explanation and then an example
• Use cohesive linking words accurately and appropriately
• Vary your linking phrases using synonyms
• Try to vary your vocabulary using accurate synonyms
• Use less common question specific words that accurately convey meaning
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• ? Present relevant ideas
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• 7 band Having a good university degree guarantee people a good job. v. 1 It is increasingly common for people to work at home, rather than going to the workplace. While it is thought by some people that this will bring stress to the home, I would agree with those who argue that working from home is beneficial to both the workers and their families. On the one hand, thos ...
• 7 band University experience is more important than a university’s degree. Some people argue that university life is much more important than an educational degree in job market. Do you agree or not agree? v. 1 There is a significant change in buying trends of people in some developing countries over the last few years. People tend to invest more on modern and new products to avail maximum benefits associated with them. I agree to some extent that economic prosperity, high wages, attractive advertisements ...
• Language is not a genetic gift, it is a social gift. Learning a new language is becoming a member of the club – the community of speakers of that language. Frank Smith
• 7 band University experience is more important than a university degree some people argue that university life is much important than an education degree in job market. do you agree or not agree v. 1 Globally, it has been observed that the university participation training is more significant part and more than a university degree and in resent years, governments have provided a lot of money for learning to produce a greet generation to be right position of jobs. They design collage and universi ...
• 6 band University experience is more important than a university’s degree. Some people argue that university life is much more important than an educational degree in job market. Do you agree or not agree? v. 2 Recently, the phenomenon of university experiences and its corresponding impact has sparked a heated debate. Although contested by many that the matter of university’s discoveries is highly beneficial, such an issue is regarded thoroughly both constructive and positive by a substantial number of ind ...
• Learn a language, and you’ll avoid a war. Arab Proverb
• 6 band Some people believe that students should study at schools are better than studying in groups. However, others argue that students study at schools are better than they study on their owns. v. 1
• 5.5 band In the past, lectures were used as a way of teaching large numbers of students, but now with the development of technology for education, many people think there is no justification for attending lectures. v. 5
• Knowledge of languages is the doorway to wisdom. Roger Bacon
• 6 band Nowadays, job satisfaction is an important key to workers mental health, since most people spend the majority of their time at work. Many factors can lead to satisfactory in a job, but it is also unrealistic to expect all employees to feel satisfied in th v. 2
• 6.5 band Some people think that the internet will replace traditional books in the future. Do you believe this would be positive or a negative development? v. 2
• Learn a new language and get a new soul. Czech Proverb

More From Forbes

A college degree contributes in a major way to a healthier, longer life.

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Graduates wear a black hat to stand for congratulations on graduation

This story is part of a series on health inequities in the United States and their impact on length of life. These articles will focus specifically on factors related to poverty, race, and geography.

In an increasingly competitive job market, many recent studies have found that a college degree, which was once an entry level requirement for a well paying job, may not be as important as in years past. In fact, many workers without higher education degrees are finding that they’re able to enjoy comparable salaries to those with degrees without the ever growing burden of student debt. According to a recent LinkedIn study, nearly 70% of American jobs require a bachelor’s degree, while only 37% of the workforce has one. Some states, including the state of Maryland, have stripped bachelor’s degree requirements from job postings altogether, including those for government positions.

These trends, however, may be overlooking the large impact a college degree has on personal health. Studies of health inequities have shown that college graduates have tend to have greater access to healthcare, greater salaries, safer jobs, and safer housing than those without which contributes to longer, healthier lives.

Education and Employment

Although those without degrees are increasingly finding broader employment opportunities, those who hold college degrees typically have greater access to healthcare because they have jobs with higher incomes and better health insurance.

As many health inequity studies show, poverty and lack of health insurance can have very large negative impacts on health. Those with higher degrees often have higher self reported health ratings and lower rates of heart disease, depression, and diabetes than those with up to a high school diploma. Those who live in poverty, however, tend to have worse health outcomes and are often unable to pursue college degrees due to the rising cost of education. In 2020, about 25% of adults without a high school diploma were in poverty, compared with just 4% of those with at least a bachelor’s degree. During that same period, about 30% of adults with less than a high school degree were uninsured compared to only 5% of those with a bachelor’s degree or higher.

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Education not only affects your salary and health insurance status, but also the industry that you work in. During the early years of the COVID pandemic, those without college degrees were most likely to be essential workers and have greater exposure to the virus and therefore, a greater chance of getting sick. One study found that during the first year of the pandemic those with less than a high school degree had five times the risk of dying from COVID than those with postgraduate degrees.

Most essential occupations are low-wage and have a high share of workers below or near the poverty ... [+] line.

Education and Housing

Higher levels of education also come with safer and more secure housing. Adults with less than a bachelor’s degree are more likely to live in substandard housing which can increase exposure to toxins including lead and mold. Those with less education are also more likely to live in heavily polluted areas such as those near airports and major highways. The poorer air quality and increased exposure to toxins often lead to higher rates of respiratory illness. One study found that residents who lived within six miles of a major California airport had 17% more hospital admissions for asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) than the state average.

Education, Health Literacy, and Self Advocacy

Higher education is also associated with greater health literacy or the ability to find, understand, and use health information to make healthier decisions. Greater health literacy is associated with behaviors including higher vaccination rates and better consistency in taking prescribed medication. Health literacy also helps patients advocate for themselves and their needs. In some cases, the ability to make your own health decisions can be the difference between life and death. Research studies have found that women who advocate for the inclusion of doulas and midwives in their medical care team are up to 40% less likely to have a cesarean birth. This greatly reduces the chance of deadly post birth complications including blood clots, which are three times more likely after a cesarean birth.

Along with other social determinants of health including poverty and health insurance access, inequities in education are closely tied to inequities in health. As the landscape of the United States economy changes, however, many who have been systematically barred from pursuing higher education are now finding Bachelor degrees increasingly obsolete. Still, this shift has not been enough to overcome the poverty gap and its resulting health inequities. As such, ensuring equal access to education by expanding affordability of college and providing students with better resources will be an important tool to close that gap.

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Nearly all members of the 118th Congress have a bachelor’s degree – and most have a graduate degree, too

More than nine-in-ten U.S. representatives and senators have a college degree, continuing a decadeslong trend. In the 118th Congress, 94% of representatives and all but one senator hold at least a bachelor’s degree, according to a Pew Research Center analysis of U.S. House and Senate biographical data .

The share of voting members of Congress with a college education has steadily increased over time. In the 79th Congress (1945-46), for instance,  56% of House members and 75% of senators  had a bachelor’s degree or higher. By the 103rd Congress (1993-94), this share had risen to 90% of members or more in both chambers. In each Congress since then, nine-in-ten or more members have held at least a bachelor’s degree.

The share of members in each chamber with at least a bachelor’s degree peaked in the 116th Congress (2019-20), when 96% of representatives and all 100 senators had one. Although both shares have remained high, they have slightly declined since then.

This analysis includes the 534 voting members of Congress seated as of Feb. 2, 2023.

This analysis builds on earlier Pew Research Center work to analyze the educational attainment of lawmakers in the U.S. Congress. To determine the educational background of lawmakers in the 118th Congress, we used U.S. House and Senate biographical data . Data on the educational attainment of U.S. adults overall comes from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Our analysis reflects the 534 voting members of Congress as of Feb. 2, 2023, not including one vacant seat in the House following  the death of Democratic Virginia Rep. Donald McEachin . Independent members of Congress are counted with the party they caucus with.

Those with at least a bachelor’s degree include a small number of members who do not hold a bachelor’s degree but have an advanced degree in a field that does not require one. For example, Republican Rep. Diana Harshbarger of Tennessee completed some undergraduate coursework at East Tennessee State University before going on to receive a doctorate in pharmacy from Mercer University.

In total counts of 118th Congress’ most-attended universities, lawmakers with multiple graduate degrees are counted once with each of the schools they have a graduate degree from; medical residencies are not included.

In the House, nearly two-thirds of representatives (64%) have a graduate degree. Five representatives (1%) have an associate degree but no bachelor’s. Another 22 members (5%) do not have a degree. This group includes one member who has a professional certification: Democrat Cori Bush of Missouri has a registered nursing diploma.

Among the 100 current senators, 78 have at least one graduate degree. Republican Markwayne Mullin of Oklahoma is the lone senator without at least a bachelor’s degree. He holds an associate degree from Oklahoma State University of Technology. Sen. Rand Paul, a Kentucky Republican, earned a doctorate in medicine from Duke University Medical School but does not hold a bachelor’s .

The educational attainment of the current Congress far outpaces that of the overall U.S. population. In 2021, around four-in-ten American adults ages 25 and older (38%) had a bachelor’s degree or more education, including 14% who had a graduate degree, according to  U.S. Census Bureau data . Another 10% held an associate degree, while the largest share (52%) did not have a college or associate degree.

The educational attainment of members of Congress differs somewhat by political party, at least in the House. While 95% of Democrats and 93% of Republicans in the House hold at least a bachelor’s degree, Democrats are more likely than Republicans to have completed a graduate degree (73% vs. 55%). Fourteen of the 22 representatives without a college degree are Republicans. In the Senate, similar shares in both parties have undergraduate and graduate degrees.

Some universities are especially well represented in Congress. For example, about three dozen members of the House (9%) have at least one degree from Harvard University. In the Senate, 13% of senators have at least one degree from Harvard, while 9% have a degree from Yale University and 7% have at least one degree from Georgetown University.

House members are more likely than senators to have completed a degree at a college or university in the state they represent. About two-thirds of representatives (64%) have at least one such degree, and 21% received both an undergraduate and a graduate degree from an institution in their state. Among senators, nearly half (48 of 100) have at least one degree from a school in the state they represent, including 20 senators who have both a bachelor’s and an advanced degree from a school in the state they currently represent.

• Educational Attainment

Katherine Schaeffer is a research analyst at Pew Research Center

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Walmart US CEO talks inflation, self-checkout, and non-college degree workers

In an exclusive and far-reaching interview with ABC News, John Furner, president and CEO of Walmart U.S., talked about the retail giant’s push to hire more non-college degree workers for high-paying corporate jobs at the company.

Currently, 75% of Walmart’s salaried managers began as hourly associates. High-performing Walmart managers at the store’s Supercenters now have the ability to earn more than $400,000 a year, which includes a new stock grant rewards program. Some of those managers have college degrees, while others do not – it is not required for the job.

“While college is great for some, it’s not exactly the right answer for everyone,” Furner told ABC News.

This year, Walmart says it has doubled the number of skills certificates it offers to help people move into higher-paying careers within the company, such as software engineers, data scientists, and opticians. Walmart says certificate programs take associates about four months on average to complete, compared to years for a degree.

“Let's say you wanted to be a technician and work on HVAC, or if you wanted to be a truck driver, or robot tech, or a pharmacy tech. We have those programs where you can do that on the job while you're working, and they lead to great careers,” Furner said.

Businesses are increasingly removing college degree requirements from some job descriptions and shifting to skills-based hiring. But a recent report from the Burning Glass Institute and Harvard Business School found that most companies that say they are adopting skills-first hiring are not actually translating that into practice.

The report found that Walmart was among the 37% of firms analyzed that, on average, hired 18% more non-degree workers for roles for which they removed the requirement for a college degree. Other so-called skills-based hiring leaders included Apple, Cigna, ExxonMobil, General Motors, Target, Tyson Foods, and Yelp.

In a first for the company, Walmart hosted an Opportunity Summit in Washington, D.C. this month, where it brought together executives from over a dozen major companies – including Accenture, Home Depot, McDonald’s, PepsiCo and Verizon – to discuss how they can coordinate efforts and make good on their promise to offer higher-paid jobs to non-degree workers.

The shift to skills-based hiring comes as the cost of a college education continues to rise. Boston University, Tufts and New York University are among the schools that now cost nearly $100,000 a year to attend.

“A lot of the skills that we're talking about are also applicable across a number of companies in a number of industries,” said Furner. “What we hope for is that our associates learn more and stay with us, but we know sometimes they're going to go on to other things, and if they can take those skills with them collectively, we'll all be better off.”

Job growth is expected to continue at Walmart as it looks to open its first new stores in three years. The retailer plans to open 150 new stores and remodel 650 existing locations over the next five years.

Retail theft and the future of self-checkout

Furner acknowledged that the prevalence of shoplifting and organized retail crime across the country remains a challenge for retailers of all sizes. He says shrinkage – the industry term for merchandise loss due to theft – has increased at Walmart over the past two years. In response, the big-box retailer has been selectively removing self-checkout counters from some locations where there are more instances of shoplifting and mis-scanned items, but Furner told ABC News that self-checkout is not going away at Walmart.

“There are a few stores where we've made the decision that they'll come out of, but we haven't made that decision in every store,” he said. “Over the next few years, we're really going to lean into new types of technology that can make the checkout process even better for customers.”

Target recently announced it would limit the number of items shoppers can buy at self-checkout lanes, while Dollar General plans to pull self-checkout counters from 300 of its stores.

“For the industry, the concern is it causes prices to go up and it can cause stores to close,” Furner said of the problem. “Retailers need to work with state and local law enforcement, with federal enforcement to keep our communities safe for our customers and to keep the cost of goods down."

"Deflation" is showing up at Walmart

On the inflation front, Furner says he continues to see improvement: “At Walmart, we are now seeing prices that are in line with where they were 12 months ago. I haven’t been able to say that for a few years now.”

Furner also sees deflation in big categories like general merchandise, where some prices are below where they were a year ago. “The last few weeks, we've taken even more prices down in areas like produce and meat and fresh food," Furner said.

Yet despite a recent rise in overall inflation in the past three months, Furner says he remains optimistic.

“What I've learned in the last few years is, it's really hard to predict," Furner said. "I’m feeling much better about inflation in terms of pricing versus a year ago, but we're not finished.”

Denied a Second Chance at a Normal Senior Year

After Covid ruined high school graduation for the class of 2020, the response to campus protests might upend their college commencements.

Divya Jakatdar, 21, the student body president at the University of Southern California, called the changes to her college graduation a “big hit to morale.” Credit... Philip Cheung for The New York Times

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By Callie Holtermann ,  Sandra E. Garcia and Frank Rojas

• April 26, 2024

Divya Jakatdar imagined that she would spend her senior year of high school celebrating college acceptances with her friends, attending prom and walking across the stage at graduation to the cheers of her family members.

Instead, her senior spring arrived at the same time as the coronavirus pandemic. She said goodbye to high school classmates over Zoom; her graduation was a drive-through.

Ms. Jakatdar, 21, thought her senior year at the University of Southern California might be a kind of do-over. But it has erupted into unrest in recent weeks after the school initially canceled commencement speeches by its valedictorian , Asna Tabassum, the director Jon M. Chu and the tennis star Billie Jean King, citing safety concerns related to the Israel-Hamas war, and then went a step further on Thursday, canceling the university’s “main stage” commencement ceremony entirely .

“It’s a very big hit to morale for the exact class that felt like they lost their high school graduation,” Ms. Jakatdar, the student body president of U.S.C., said a few minutes after getting news that the commencement was off. “We’ve missed out on enough.”

But as was the case during Covid, Ms. Jakatdar does not feel quite right about moping: “It seems sort of ridiculous for us to complain about graduation when people’s lives are on the line.”

It is a story that is playing out across the country. Millions of high schoolers had their senior years upended by Covid in 2020, being left to celebrate their momentous occasion in isolation. Four years later, many of those same students have had the traditions of their senior years foiled once again, this time in response to the Israel-Hamas war, and the attempts by universities to shut down or contain widespread protests.

At Columbia University in New York City, the university president called the police to clear an encampment of pro-Palestinian demonstrators, resulting in the arrests of more than 100 protesters. Classes were moved online for the remainder of the spring semester. At U.S.C., students protested for days, calling the administration to reinstate Ms. Tabassum as speaker. The wave of student activism extends to pro-Palestinian protests at schools including Yale University, the University of Michigan, the University of Texas at Austin and M.I.T.

Members of the class of 2024 say they are once again juggling an altered personal milestone with feelings of anxiety and frustration about the state of the world that lies beyond college. Many of them say they are keeping their own inconveniences in perspective, but the fact remains: The class of pandemic graduates seems destined never to know a stereotypical senior year.

“A lot of our milestones have had some big, looming global atrocity over us,” said Sophia Pargas, a senior at Emerson College in Boston. “It’s almost like we’ve been conditioned for it at this point.”

Ms. Pargas, 21, has spent recent months covering protests on campus and arrests of her fellow students for her school paper, The Berkeley Beacon. Still, she said she is trying to find moments of celebration. She plans to attend a makeup prom that her class is hosting for seniors who never got to go the first time.

Maideh Orangi, 22, a senior at U.S.C. and an executive director of its Middle Eastern North African Student Assembly, has spent much of her year organizing demonstrations and vigils for the Palestinians killed in Gaza since Israel’s invasion.

“I expected it to be more typical senior year things,” Ms. Orangi said. “But I’m not upset that this has been a defining aspect of my senior year.”

Ms. Orangi said she and other students were shocked when the university-wide commencement ceremony was canceled. “The one glimmer of hope, the one bright side that I was looking forward to in all of this was that one commencement, and now it’s just all gone,” she said. “It feels like the whole end to my senior year is surrounded by a really sour feeling.”

For Rachel Burns, a senior at Barnard College, a proper graduation has been a long time coming. When she graduated from high school four years ago, in Portland, Maine, she did so from her car in the school parking lot. This time around, her only plan is to make sure that her and her fellow protesters’ demands are met by the university.

“I think that what’s most important right now is that we stick together and put up a united front against the administration and if that means sacrificing my graduation, then I’m willing to do that,” Ms. Burns, 24, said while wearing a kaffiyeh around her head and dark sunglasses in front of Butler Library.

Not every student feels that way. Ruby Cayenne, 23, a senior at California State Polytechnic University, Humboldt, in Arcata, Calif., said she was heartbroken by the prospect that protests might disrupt her graduation. “I have put my blood, sweat and tears into getting this degree. The family on my father’s side are Cuban immigrants and they fought hard to get into this country and to provide a life where their future generations can get an education.”

Ms. Cayenne, who is Jewish and identifies as a Zionist, said that she had felt personally harassed by the individuals from the Humboldt for Palestine group. “They sought me out. They called me a genocide supporter, a baby killer, a fascist,” Ms. Cayenne said. “They don’t know me, they don’t know what I support. So to know that those people are potentially going to take away my opportunity to experience my hard-earned graduation is a horrible feeling.”

The emotions range widely among other affected students.

Neeve Levy, 24, who started at Columbia in 2020 after a couple gap years, was crushed when she realized classes would be remote because of the pandemic. Now a senior, she said she understands the protesters and struggles with not protesting herself but she sees how polarizing the topic has been.

“I have a lot of respect for the protesters and what the students are doing,” Ms. Levy said from Butler library. “I struggle with seeing how it’s affecting many of my Jewish friends.”

Ms. Levy’s grandparents live in Israel and have been excited to see their granddaughter graduate, but now that might not happen.

“At the beginning there were questions of whether or not they could make it because of airlines canceling after Iran bombed Israel,” she said. “It’s crazy to me, the fact that I’m actually graduating from here — or that I even got here — and the thing that’s stopping it is not me.”

Sofia Ongele, 24, was also not part of the 2020 pandemic class of high schoolers, but her own senior year wasn’t exactly what she expected. Her small charter school in Santa Clarita, Calif., closed around the time of her graduation, so the ceremony was small and disappointing, and a gap year was spent at home.

Now a senior at Columbia, her spring is being dominated by world events of a different kind. Speaking from inside the protest encampment on the south field of Columbia University’s Upper Manhattan campus, she said she couldn’t think of a better way to spend the last few weeks of her college years than taking part in a protest with her fellow classmates.

“Unfortunately, being Gen Z means dealing with repeated states of the world that are in absolute hostility and turmoil,” Ms. Ongele said, while standing in front of a community guidelines board in front of the encampment, wearing a black face mask. “We are the generation of school shootings, the generation that is tasked to deal with climate change. We’ve just been dealt the short end of the stick time and time again. I’m not going to say that it feels expected because I feel like at some point of our lives we should know normalcy but it’s been a lot.”

Having an actual commencement ceremony means a lot to Lindsay, 21, who requested to be identified by only her given name to protect her employment opportunities after college. Her graduation from a private high school in Manhattan, four years ago, was “anticlimactic,” she said, and she is now worried she may not get to celebrate her graduation from Columbia either.

“It’s a lot of emotions,” she said while standing in front of bleachers installed near Low Library in preparation for commencement. “Graduation from college is a pretty big deal.”

She said she was hopeful that commencement would go on at least in some capacity, even if she struggled to envision it.

“I am not sure how that would go on,” she said, glancing over at the encampment. “I would just hope that anybody who wants to protest gives space to people who are graduating and let it be about us seniors and not about anything else.”

With graduation less than a month away at Cal State Humboldt, a campus closure and student protests have triggered a wave of memories in some students.

Jacqueline V. Espinoza, 21, a senior at Humboldt, said it was around this time four years ago that she last experienced this kind of intersection of personal and global history.

“It was a surreal moment when I think of the class of 2020,” said Ms. Espinoza, an English major. “I remember like a bunch of the B.L.M. protests going on during that time, and now that I’m graduating in 2024, I can definitely see the parallels.”

Dezmond Remington, 20, also of Cal State Humboldt, said that while he was excited to finally graduate, he was hoping to finish in a more low-key fashion.

“I was really looking forward to an easy couple of last weeks where my whole family could be here and I could graduate and get on with my life,” he said.

At U.S.C., Mustafa Ali Khan, 21, had been looking forward to his graduation, especially after transferring there following two years of community college. “One puts a lot of weight in these moments. It’s kind of like a culmination of a lot of work you put in.”

He said the decision to cancel U.S.C.’s main commencement would be especially painful for family members, many of whom had already made plans to come to campus.

“My mom’s saying she can’t wait for my grad school graduation now,” he said.

Callie Holtermann reports on style and pop culture for The Times. More about Callie Holtermann

Frank Rojas is a 2023-24  reporting fellow on the Styles desk at the Times.  More about Frank Rojas

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Having ChatGPT experience could trump a college degree, nearly half the business leaders in a survey said

• In a survey, 49% of business leaders said knowing how to use ChatGPT could top having a degree .
• About three-quarters of leaders say mandating the use of the AI tool can boost worker productivity.
• Despite this, 36% of respondents didn't see ChatGPT experience as more valuable than a degree.

If you ask ChatGPT whether it makes more sense to learn how to use the artificial intelligence tool or go to college, you get a version of "It depends."

If you ask corporate types, you get a more surprising ambivalence: In a recent survey, 49% of business leaders said that knowing how to chat up the chatbot could, in some cases, amount to more than four years of lectures and term papers .

The early April survey of 800 senior managers, directors, and execs by Intelligent.com also found that eight in 10 regard ChatGPT experience as valuable for entry-level gigs.

The results illustrate how quickly some bosses expect the technology will redraw the way work gets done, and also how readily some of them are rethinking degree requirements in favor of a show-me-what you-can-do approach.

Huy Nguyen, chief education and career development advisor at Intelligent.com, told Business Insider that many execs see AI as a speedy way to boost productivity.

"They're thinking that if people have experience with chatGPT — generative AI — they can come in there and have an immediate impact on the business," he said.

About three-quarters of respondents said they required ChatGPT experience for some entry-level jobs to increase how much workers could accomplish and to help employees learn. Sixty-eight percent said it was to promote creativity.

AI could close a skills gap.

In polls, some workers have said they're worried AI will push them out of a job. Yet many bosses appear focused on how the technology could amp up the abilities of their employees , especially those just starting out, Nguyen said.

"They may not have the same experience or skillset as others," he said, adding AI might make it "easier to close the skills gap" between new workers and veterans.

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With more seasoned workers, Nguyen said there's often less need to worry about how technology could supercharge people's abilities because those who have been at it for a while have had time to build up expertise. "You're hiring for experience," he said.

It's also possible that some business leaders expect that newer — and presumably younger — workers might have more exposure to AI , Nguyen said.

Regardless, a greater focus on what someone can do and less on formal training reflects a certain pragmatism among employers, he said. For many young people in the US, scaling a mountain of debt in pursuit of a degree might not be worth it . And workers can be hard to come by in many fields, so doing away with degree rules can widen the pool of candidates.

"What's more important is actually demonstrating the skill," he said. "If you're a programmer, you either can program or you can't."

Don't drop out just yet.

Not all leaders are ready to skip over the education sections of résumés, however. In the survey, 36% of respondents didn't see experience with ChatGPT as more valuable than a college degree, and 12% were unsure.

While some employers set aside degree requirements, not all have made good on promises to hire more people who didn't attend college , one study found.

Nguyen said that regardless of how it's done, what's important is that workers keep learning. Nearly all of those polled endorsed that idea.

Just under nine in 10 leaders said that having taken courses on ChatGPT could make job candidates for certain roles more attractive. Nguyen said he suspects what many leaders are really after — more than those who took AI 101 — is workers who are conversant in using the technology.

"ChatGPT is still quite new," he said. "The course that you took 12 months ago may actually be irrelevant. And you may not be using ChatGPT in the future — and may be using something else."

For now, though, workers with an eye on an entry-level role might need to get used to working with AI. About six in 10 companies require experience with ChatGPT for at least some entry-level jobs, particularly in tech, according to the survey. That includes 7% of companies that require it for all jobs.

Some eight in 10 execs said knowing how to use AI would be even more important for entry-level workers in 2025.

"I don't think that people fully understand the business impact of it yet, but it's moving quick," Nguyen said.

Axel Springer, Business Insider's parent company, has a global deal to allow OpenAI to train its models on its media brands' reporting.

Watch: What is ChatGPT, and should we be afraid of AI chatbots?

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