When is a college degree really necessary?

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When I was growing up, a college degree was generally considered a necessity for a successful and financially-rewarding career. It was common knowledge that the best way to make one's way in life was to finish school, attend college, get a degree, and start a career. Higher education was presented as the path to prosperity.

Now, I am no longer certain of this. While there are certain careers that almost necessitate formal education and some form of accredititation for such educators, I think we are seeing a bubble in the education industry - and it is an industry - that is on the verge of collapse. The cost of college has outpaced inflation due to many factors, including a demand that grows faster than the capacity to supply the service, and government subsidies that support increased costs. Meanwhile, the reward for a degree has been adversely affected by the economic instability of the past decade and a half while increased degree holders are competing for the same positions in overcrowded job markets.

I have two Associates degrees. I graduated in 2005 with a degree in architectural drafting just a few years before the local construction market collapsed completely. I later also gained a degree in mechanical drafting and design, but due to various factors, have not gained employment from it. These factors include health issues, car issues, and the simple fact that I like my current library work. I paid my way up front, and have no debt from these degrees. I do not regret the time and effort, either. But I do think it serves as two personal examples of factors one ought to consider before even going to a basic trade school, much less pursuing a doctorate degree.

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When to get a degree

I don't have a very simple explanation for when you should get a degree from an accredited college or a reputable trade school, but I can think of some easy examples.

Medicine
If you want to work in nursing, become a physician, or be a veterinarian, a degree is essential. These are high-stakes disciplines, and rigorous preparation is necessary. Even if you just want to become, say, a massage therapist, a good education from a reputable clinical massage training institute means you will learn anatomy, business ethics, and many other essential skills you wouldn't even think about otherwise.

Engineering
Whether pondering structural, chemical, mechanical, or any other branch of engineering, a degree is a must. Lives are on the line just as much as in medicine. Much as I like Khan Academy, I would advise a classroom education in applied calculus, statistics, and other higher mathematics. Chemical properties, material strengths, and other subjects are best studied in a proper laboratory environment under qualified supervision and guidance.

Education
You don't need a degree to home-school your kids, but if you want to teach in an official classroom setting at any level, you need to be taught properly yourself in order to handle the many complicated aspects of administering an education to others. I will say, however, that a library science degree probably isn't necessary to manage a small-town library. [/oblique allusions to workplace politics observations]

When to not bother with a degree

Entrepreneurial Prospects
If you're eager to be an entrepreneur, taking time for a college education may impede your progress rather than promote your goals. You may be better served studying independently. The internet has made many traditional education programs obsolete.

Skilled Trades
If you want a career as a tradesman, an apprenticeship may be a better option. Blue-collar jobs are nothing to look down upon, and those with a knack for making or repairing things are always in high demand. Welders, auto mechanics, plumbers, millwrights, electricians, and many others may not even need to attend a vocational school, although this may still be beneficial.

Creative Pursuits
The modern fine art world appears to have become an insular clique of insiders engaging in pompous yet empty self-aggrandizement. You need a degree AND connections to get anywhere there. Fortunately, thanks to the internet, opportunities for independent artists have ballooned. Steemit, Etsy stores, and more make it possible to earn a living by producing things the public actually likes, while the art snobs preen over their garbage and beg for grant money or try to con the wealthy. If you disagree with my contemptuous assessment of the fine art community, by the way, feel free to comment below.

Between Steemit and the opportunity afforded by e-books through Amazon.com and other services, not to mention print-on-demand companies like lulu.com, writers have new opportunities. This also means you need to work hard to rise above the rest, though, so get an editor who will work with you to make sure your writings are clear and concise. Practice incessantly, and read a lot in order to build an almost intuitive understanding of good prose or poetry. Instinct needs to be honed, and skills need to be learned and applied. It's hard work, but you can succeed if that is where you want to apply yourself.

Service jobs
In addition to these examples, many service jobs really require almost no specialized education, so explore your options. Even if you don't want to work long-term in retail or restaurants, it can be both a paycheck and a beneficial experience in ways you won't comprehend until much later in life.

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What to do when considering your future

Explore your interests and personal strengths honestly. Ask to shadow someone on the job if you are considering their field. Ask questions. Find out what someone found helpful in formal education, and what they learned on their own. See if the job is what you imagined, or completely different from what you expected. Never allow yourself to be pressured into making a decision before you are ready when it comes to your time and money.

On the other hand, as technology grows by leaps and bounds, new opportunities may arise, and an astute individual can jump in on something new to get started on the ground floor. This happened with early computers, the start of the internet, and now with the rise of blockchain technology. There is extreme risk, but also opportunity for extreme reward. Only you can know when you need to dive in and get started.

A note on accreditation: on one hand, there is a definite value to having a third party verify the education provided by an institution satisfies a set of establish standards. On the other hand, there is a real danger of a de facto cartel system arising, and I believe that is what we now face. Education is a racket. But this does not necessarily negate the benefits, so be wary of non-accredited institutions. Apply due diligence to the educational syllabus and investigate the job placement records of any educational institution, accredited or not. Don't be afraid to be nosy and obnoxious when your life is at stake.

If this has been helpful, please comment! If it has been more of an if-by-whiskey speech, let me know about that, too. Never forget that the most important tool for any kind of education is a curious mind paired with the drive to learn. If you cultivate that, success by whatever definition you choose is much more probable. It may sound pithy, but never forget that learning is a lifelong pursuit.