It is a rude awakening to be hit smack dab in the face with the realization that a lot of people just don’t understand much about higher education beyond signing up and paying for classes. This is what happened to me this week.
I’m a college professor in addition to a grad school coach. Every semester I see over one hundred students in my courses. I teach mostly introductory courses – those filled with first and second year students. These are students who are still deciding what they want to do with their life, who may change their major once or twice or three or four times before they settle on a career path, and those have not a single solitary soul who has ever been to college in their family.
Misinformation, Misrepresentation, and Assumptions
I come face to face with a lot of misinformation and assumptions that unwittingly lead people astray in their pursuit of higher education. Most of my students are on the road to earning an associates degree. Many students have aspirations to move beyond, some even expressing interest in a masters or Ph.D., and there are tons of questions on how to get from HERE to THERE in less time, less money, and with the least confusion. Without a reliable source of information, students are left to draw their own conclusions (some of them incorrect) about college and life after college, especially their careers.
Here are just a few of the assumptions that I’ve encountered throughout the academic year:
- If I stay here and finish my A.A. rather than transferring to a 4-year-college now, I’ll be setting myself back
What I explained to this student is that an associates degree covers the general educational course requirements that you would have to take on the road to earning a bachelors degree. Regardless of WHEN you transfer, it will typically take the same 4 years to earn a bachelors degree. (Unless there are other setbacks like changing majors or taking a semester off, of course).
Where this student went wrong was, in her mind, she was going to have to do 2 year for an associates at the community college level and then another 4 years at a 4-year institution for a bachelors degree. Not so.
- I don’t know how I will be able to pay back $100K in student loans as a teacher when I will barely make enough to pay my bills
It is an excellent idea to look to the future and determine how you’re going to pay back your educational expenses, you don’t ALWAYS have to assume the entire costs.
Although what exists today may very well be an anachronism tomorrow, for now, loan forgiveness programs exist for K-12 teachers! Barring any major legislative or policy changes, working in public service, such as being a teacher means that you are eligible to have the government pay back your student loans after working in the field for a specified number of years.
Might I also mention that graduate degree recipients who go into public service are also eligible for loan repayment programs? The National Institute of Health, for example, offers a loan repayment program for researchers in the medical field.
- I have to get a masters degree then spend another 5 years working on a Ph.D.
Not necessarily. If your academic resume is just that good enough and admissions committees agree, you can go straight from undergrad directly into a Ph.D. program. This is why there are some 25 year old Ph.D.s out there. They really do exist – I’ve met a few in my lifetime!
So the moral of the story is… don’t ASSUME that you have to complete a masters degree then apply for admission to a doctoral program.
From Assumptions To Solid Information
As serious as education is (and its overall impact on your life), it is a smart idea to make sure that your assumptions aren’t costing you! Discuss your career goals with someone who has once stood in your shoes. Bring a notebook. Write down whatever information they might be able to share with you. Take note of their advice and follow through.
Expert advice pays off exponentially
Sound off – Who do you/would you turn to for expert advice on your plans after college?
