The Declining Value of A College Education In America

The Declining Value of A College Education In America

AMERICANS throughout the nation are feeling the burn of arguably the worst economic down turn in U.S. history. The job loss rate is at an all time high in most states with no clear projection as to when the economy will turn around.
What has happened to the value of a college degree obtained at a creditable university in the United States of America? More and more college graduates are finding it extremely hard to land a position in any company throughout the US today. After years of personal and family sacrifice, as many matured aged individuals are retuning to the classroom with the hopes of improving upon their overall quality of life, the reward for their efforts are shallow or non-existent. No one ever said that a college degree was a sure and solid path to a great career, but not having a college education is a sure path to being career less in the future for most people.
The way the economy is today, “TGIF” is no longer the “It” day of the week for many working class Americans. Friday has now become the “day” for many individuals, that will begin the weeks, and months, and even years, for some, of hunting for work and sending countless resumes to a countless number of employers that simply will never call or offer them a job.
Every day Americans are being encouraged, in some form or fashion, to return to school to get the knowledge to get a great job or that long awaited promotion. We are told, sometimes even by the President of the United States, that a good education is the key to a successful life and a more educated nation, yet more and more highly educated Americans are losing their jobs, their ability to afford their homes and the means to provide for their families.
Student from all over the world travel both near and far to have the opportunity to study in the United States. This is a fact because some of the worlds finniest universities are located right here in the USA. These institutions are being attended by foreign students from across the globe. However, both foreign and American born degree holders from the top public and private schools are questioning the power of a BA, MA, MBA and even a PhD..
Jobs are scarce and the opportunities in this great land are dwindling away it seems. The economy continues to tighten, many educated minds continue to go unused by employers looking to maximize profits while operating on a very thin budget. The term “over qualified”, is arguably, becoming the tag of the year for those degree holders looking for a position one step above the unpaid internship offered by more and more employers today. Straight commission jobs are at an all time high in the classified section of the paper and on most job search sights. The evidence of a decline in the value of a college education is undeniable.
Educated Americans, are finding themselves in a state of shock after graduating simply because there are little to no jobs available to pay them for their hard work and newly acquired expertise. Those graduates who were fortunate enough to have landed a job in years past, are receiving a pink slips at the end of the week from their employers in record numbers. Some are being told that there services are no longer needed, or that the company is downsizing and can no longer afford to pay for their contributions.
This may be slightly exaggerated, however you get the point, many employees across the U.S. are being canned, for lack of a better word, because of the economic state in the U.S. today. If one makes it to Friday its a blessing, because pinks slips are going out in the middle of the weak in some companies. For many individuals and entire departments, as seen in Los Angeles when the mayor shut down two entire city departments in weeks past, this Friday will be their last day on the job.
With all of the stimulus packages and government bailouts, one could easily be lead to believe that business, and the Americas economic situation is on the up swing. This is simply not the case! The reality for many educated individuals across the country today is quite sad and different from what it was just a few short years ago. How valuable is your college education today?


By Charles DuBois Rucker