Some people think the best way to succeed is to get a university education, while others disagree and say it is no longer true nowadays. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Decades ago, getting a

college

degree

was perceived as the only route to a successful

career

, significantly boosting one’s chances of securing a high-paying

job

.

However

, with rising tuition

costs

and an increasing demand for practical

skills

from

employers

, some argue that entering the workforce directly and gaining hands-on experience might be a better option. I agree with

this

perspective, as it is a more practical and financially sensible approach nowadays. There are several reasons why going to

college

and following a traditional

career

path can be seen as the only path to success.

Firstly

, by obtaining a

college

degree

one can prove to future

employers

that they have achieved a baseline understanding of the subject matter and developed a certain set of

skills

, including time and project management

skills

, research

skills

, and writing and editing abilities during their academic

career

. A 2016 research suggests that one-third of Americans without a

college

degree

had failed to apply for a

job

because of a lack of tertiary education. Beyond having a slew of marketable

skills

, a

college

education can guarantee a widened social network, participation in a community of like-minded people, and, in turn, increased opportunities for internships and

job

placements.

Thus

, having university credentials might still matter.

Nevertheless

, I think finishing

college

is no longer a guarantee of impressing

employers

, given tuition

costs

are rising and an increasing number of jobs that don’t necessarily require academic qualifications. Reports show

costs

have been on an upward trend for the

last

20 years, reaching a rate of 158%. Graduating from university, once seen as a solid investment, now contributes significantly to a student debt crisis.

Moreover

, in-demand

skills

,

such

as strategic thinking, problem-solving, data analysis, and the like, that companies need are not what students study now.

According to

Labor Statistics, more than 50% of jobs require on-the-

job

experience. Many students, already burdened with excessive debt, do not view unpaid internships- which could guarantee the acquisition of these technical

skills

- as a measure of success.

Therefore

, pursuing apprenticeship programs, vocational training, or attending community

college

following high school, which offers education and

skills

at a lower cost, appears to be a more viable path forward. In conclusion,

while

a

college

degree

has traditionally been seen as a critical step toward a successful

career

, the evolving

job

market challenges

this

notion, with the rising

costs

of tuition resulting in significant student debt, and the increasing number of

employers

requiring hands-on expertise. Given the demand for practical

skills

that are often best acquired through direct workforce participation, vocational training, apprenticeships, or community

college

programs present viable and more advantageous alternatives in the way of success.