9781422274873

school graduates do end up going to a two- or four-year college, but not all. In 2016, nearly seven out of every ten students in the United States who graduated from high school went on to attend college, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDL). The other 30 percent participated in an apprenticeship, joined the military, or went right into the workforce instead. College can be a great way to learn new things, build your independence, and start a career. But it isn’t for everyone. Some people learn better outside the classroom, and some just can’t afford to go to college. A postsecondary education can be very expensive. A year of college can cost anywhere from a few thousand dollars to more than $50,000, depending on the school. Huge student loans can be a real problem for people who do go to college. Student loans provide money that students borrow to pay for their education and must pay back after graduation. The Wall Street Journal reports that students who graduated from college with debt (money owed to a person, company, or organization) had average debt of $37,712. This much debt takes more than ten years to pay off! Some young people just aren’t willing to take that risk. They would rather work and make money than pay for college. Additionally, studies have shown that some college graduates cannot find a job that is a good match for their degree or they can only find jobs that don’t require a university degree! Whatever you decide, you should think about your decision long and hard before you make up your mind. Choosing to go to college, or skipping college and going straight to work or other training, is an important step. Gather as much information as you can find; talk to your school counselors, teachers, and other adults; and check out colleges or potential jobs so you know what you’re getting yourself into.

14 CAREERS WITH EARNING POTENTIAL: CHEF