The Author
As a former college recruiter, I can tell you the secrets to self-education and career preparation without spending a fortune on a conventional (and oftentimes useless) college degree.
April Norhanian
Like many people, I naively followed the path of a costly four-year college education without knowing if a college degree would actually help me be successful. As a result, I (like many others) owe a butt-load of money to student loan debt. From my experience as a student and college recruiter, I have come to see American colleges as a commercial product that’s not always relevant or effective for the pursuits of career seekers.
Hey, I’m all for higher education. My mission is not to deter you away from going to college, but to challenge you on your reasons why and make you think twice about the massive debt you may incur. There are many options (other than the traditional four-year college) for obtaining skills, credentials, and experience that lead to rewarding careers and an enriched, well-rounded life.
I live in Atlanta, Georgia with my husband and our two dogs.
Just who do I think I am telling people that college is for suckers!?
I have a BA in French and a Masters degree in Technology (whatever). As a two-time college graduate and former college recruiter, my opinion comes from my personal college experience -as well as my job experience selling college to other suckers like me.
As a College Recruiter…
While employed as a recruiter for a fancy-pants art school in Savannah, Georgia, I was responsible for meeting the school's monthly application goals for international students. They sent me around the world to attend college fairs, set up trade shows, and give presentations to starry-eyed young artists. As a college recruiter -selling college to an international market, I quickly learned how to hustle higher education as part of a huge, money-generating outfit.
Of course there is nothing wrong with colleges making money. But when you witness first-hand how they market college, sell college and brainwash the masses, its pretty disgusting.
As a College Consumer…
After two years of pushing art school, I decided I wanted to be a web designer (something I had been teaching myself). So I went to a local college to see about taking some web design classes and got suckered into pursuing a graduate degree. After two years, I ended up with a Masters Degree in Technology (whatever.) During those two years I saw yet another side to higher education that frustrated me; grad school.
I found it interesting how freely students were admitted to graduate programs, yet how difficult it was to obtain the classes I really wanted or needed. Because of a shortage of web design classes, I was reduced to paying for an "independent study course". Basically, I ended up teaching myself while paying the school for the credit hours. I guess I thought it was worth the degree.
In graduate school, I was surrounded by other professional adults who were working full time and relentlessly pursuing their MBA in order to advance their careers. I became friends with a number of people who were becoming over-educated and under-employed. It seemed that people were disappointed with the result of their first degree. The solution? Acquire another degree.
My hard-working peers were buying into the notion of obtaining career advancement through education. Unfortunately however, most of my graduate peers earned their master's degree in vain; without a promotion, raise, or even a handshake from their employers.
So where have my college degrees gotten me?
Several thousand dollars of student loan debt and a recent layoff.
My professional background encompasses a wide range of vocations including; cocktail waitress, real estate agent, actress, collections agent, fitness instructor, college admissions representative, dot-com marketing manager, web designer, ESL teacher, activity director, writer, professional blogger and blackjack dealer. None of these jobs (except college recruiter) required a college degree.
I know from my own experience and by observing many of my peers that most people with a college degree rarely work within their field of study. Not only is a college degree often times irrelevant to your career, it is never a guarantee of securing a job -especially in this economy.
Didn't college make me more WELL-ROUNDED and teach me HOW TO THINK?
Nah, not really. Most Liberal Arts academics would disagree. I can see their eyes burning a hole in the computer screen right now.
I'm not saying that this is the case for everyone. But it my case, I feel that I gained more knowledge and culture on my own. I learned more about the world by being an exchange student and living abroad than any amount of hours I spent in a classroom. (You do not have to be a college student to do those things)
Professionally, I teach myself new things everyday. Education and acquiring experience and culture is an ongoing process. It doesn't end after Western Civ 101, a few football games, or half a dozen tail gate parties.
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