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A college degree was once seen as essential for career advancement, but Gen Z is challenging that belief. Recent reports indicate that Gen Z is losing faith in the value of a college education. In fact, only 39% of Gen Z respondents did survey said that advancing their education is important to them.
The reasons behind this change are various. A major factor is growth the cost of tuition. In the same survey, 46% of Gen Z participants believed that a college education is simply not worth the cost. Other surveys discover different insights: 69% of Gen Z students believe the college admissions process is done very competitive, 58% prefer learning practical skills over formal education and 49% think universities should update their curricula to prepare students for the future. It is clear that the traditional view of a college degree no longer holds the same value, especially as The entrepreneurs of General Z rise, preferring real-life skills over textbook knowledge.
Beyond the statistics, however, my experience as the Director of Admissions at Quad Education has shown that children whose parents have college degrees often follow suit. Despite changing trends, family background and opinions influence one's educational trajectory.
Therefore, our parents are responsible for encouraging our children attend higher education. While a college degree is not essential to success, it does play a vital role in shaping young adults.
Here are some top reasons why Gen Z should still get a college degree:
1. A time of careless maturity and growth
College serves as a transitional stage between childhood and adulthood, offering students a unique period of exploration and growth. During this time, student experience a newfound sense of independence while still being protected from the full responsibilities of adulthood. During college, their main pressures may revolve around academic deadlines and classes. Unlike the “real world,” where financial concerns often dominate, college allows individuals to expand their intellect, expand their perspectives, and discover more about themselves.
In the college environment, individuals of diverse backgrounds and beliefs come together, creating a melting pot of ideas and perspectives. Whether students come from a religious, evangelical, apolitical, or liberal background, college exposes them to different ways of thinking, challenges beliefs, and helps them define their values. It pushes them out of their comfort zone, introduces them to new people and fosters lasting memories. For this very reason, college is a time that is deeply valued and fondly remembered—a great reason not to miss the experience.
2. An opportunity to network
College is not just about getting an education; it's about building connections that can shape your future career. The college offers students a variety of resources for it develop a wide network, which is essential to post-graduation success and financial independence. like Harvard Business Review pointed out, today, networking has become paramount: “Professional networks lead to more job and business opportunities, deeper knowledge, improved innovation, faster advancement and greater authority.”
College students benefit from forming close relationships with professors, alumni, and mentors. They have access to career fairs, networking events, panels and webinars designed to connect them with industry professionals in their areas of interest. These connections are often inaccessible to non-college adults and provide invaluable support as students transition into the workforce.
Connected: How it prepared me to go to State College for entrepreneurship
3. A catalyst for building real-world skills
Learning essential real-world skills can be challenging in an age where Gen Z is heavily immersed in the digital world. College serves as a vital platform for Gen Z to develop these skills, such as independent thinking, effective communication, critical thinking, leadership and time management.
Through participation in clubs and extracurricular activities, students are encouraged to take on leadership roles, enhancing their ability to collaborate and lead effectively. Additionally, college exposes students to various challenges, teaching them how to overcome obstacles and make informed decisions. While mistakes are inevitable, college provides a safe environment for students to learn from these experiences, reducing their fear of failure and empowering them to grow and improve.
Colleges are also changing the game by offering more than just textbooks and lectures. They offer practical, hands-on courses and leadership-focused workshops tailored to prepare students for the challenges of their chosen fields. For example, colleges offer courses like “Entrepreneurship 101“or”Basis of enterprise,” where students learn to develop business plans, pitch ideas and navigate the startup landscape. These courses often include real-life case studies and guest lectures from successful professionals, giving aspiring entrepreneurs first-hand knowledge of the business world.
Colleges also allow students to gain practical experience through internships, co-op programs and research projects. This type of experiential learning can help students apply classroom knowledge to real-world challenges, build professional networks, and gain valuable knowledge in their chosen fields.
Final thoughts
It is important not to push our children into college if it is not the right path. Instead, we should empower them to make informed decisions by presenting all the facts and available options. The facts are that while a college degree is valuable, it is the experience and opportunities within the college environment that make it truly valuable. Despite Gen Z's skepticism about higher education, college remains a transformative space. It helps our children develop into better adults, fosters independence and readiness for the real world, and provides access to resources and mentoring that lead to successful careers and lives.