Which STEM Major Should You Be?
STEM offers four similar yet different pathways to success. Find out which route you should take.
By BrainFall Staff - Updated: April 9, 2024
Millions of high school seniors are about to make one of the hardest choices of their lives. Should you go to college and get a four-year college degree (bachelor’s degree)? Should you go into a ton of student loan debt even if you aren’t 100% sure about your career path?
College grads are statistically going to get a higher-paying job. They may also have an easier time finding a job than someone with just a high school diploma. Going to a four-year university can open up a lot of opportunities. However, for many people, the decision isn’t so cut and dry. There are many factors to think about when deciding if you should go to college.
You might not want to study for another four years, but those who go to college sometimes end up finding a job faster, especially now that many require a bachelor’s degree. Let’s see how you handle time management and quickly take our quiz to see if you should go or not.
Should I Go to College
Should I go to college and get a four-year college degree or should I find a job right out of high school? It's a question many high school graduates ask themselves.
There are so many high school graduates that don't know if a college education is worth it or if attending a four-year school to get a degree is a waste of time. Going to college is a life-changing decision. A college degree does not guarantee you a happy life, and many people might not even want to get a higher education. Many people want to go to college, but getting a college education and becoming one of those college students takes more work than it may seem.
If a student wants the experience of taking a mix of online classes and in-person classes while learning what life is going to be like, then going to college might be the right choice.
Should I Go to College?
Embarking on the adventure of higher education is like standing at the crossroads of your very own Choose Your Own Adventure book. On one hand, we've got those glossy college brochures promising us the world—keg stands with Socrates, perhaps? On the other hand, there's the call of the wild unknown, a world where the term "pop quiz" is as extinct as our childhood Tamagotchis.
Let's face it, we all have that friend who's been rocking a killer job since high school and the only degree they sport is from the University of I-Have-Awesome-Connections. But for the rest of us mere mortals, clambering up the corporate ladder often means a college degree is part of our tool belt. Deciding to attend college is a comedy of errors for some and a no-brainer for others, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.
So, if you're doodling in your notebook, daydreaming of tossing that mortarboard into the skies or pondering if wearing a suit to your nine-to-five is worth the student loan saga, you're not alone. We're going on a head-spinning ride to dissect the 'should I' from the 'shouldn't I' of higher education. Buckle up, brainiacs, and let's figure out if college is the VIP ticket to your future or if the university of life has your name on the roll call.
To Degree or Not to Degree
Deciding to chase the parchment or to dive head-on into the work pool without it is a bona fide brain teaser. Let's unravel the pros and cons, shall we?
The Great Debate: College vs. Real World
Choosing between a traditional university adventure and grabbing life by the horns with immediate working experience can feel like picking a dessert in an all-you-can-eat buffet. We fancy both, but there's only so much room on our plates!
- Learning in a classroom versus real-world smarts? College gives us a road map, but nothing beats the school of hard knocks for some hands-on learning.
- Degrees often lead to higher paying roles, but let’s not forget that scholarship quest and the ever-lurking student loan debt. Anybody got a treasure map for that financial aid buried somewhere?
- Deciding your majors is like swiping through Netflix. So. Many. Choices. But don't worry, you won't be stuck in an 8-season saga if you change your mind.
Remember, every choice is like picking out a new outfit—what works for you might not fit your BFF.
Dollar Bills and Sense: Evaluating the ROI
Let's talk turkey—err, tuition. Weighing the investment of a college degree against the potential returns is like checking the stock market, but instead of stocks, it's your future!
- College can lead to a fatter paycheck, but that's not guaranteed. Keep that job market in spades; what's hot today might be as cool as a flip phone tomorrow.
- Piles of greenbacks or piles of debt? ROI isn't just about moolah; it's about being a happy camper in your career.
So, friends, whether you opt for that scholarly cap or you're itching to start earning your stripes in the workforce, remember: the real jackpot is finding what makes you hop out of bed in the morning, ready for action!
The College Kaleidoscope
Embarking on the quest for higher education? Strap in! We're about to whirl through the thrilling mélange that is the college experience, from twisting social mazes to custom-crafted academic escapades.
Navigating the Social Labyrinth
Remember that time you thought high school hallways were tough to navigate? Welcome to the university social labyrinth! We're talking a whole new level with campus clubs, fraternities, and sororities. You gotta finesse your way through these – there's a tier for tea enthusiasts to tech whizzes. Oh, and housing options? Dorm life can be a riot (the fun kind, usually), but choosing the right environment can make or break your study-sleep party balance. Choose wisely!
Choosing Your Collegiate Adventure
Now, let's pick that intellectual poison. Whether it's a rigorous trade school hammering down the specifics of a skill, community college offering a buffet of introductory courses, or a university boasting a smorgasbord of degree programs, the menu is lengthy. So, do you dive straight into a bachelor's degree or pivot towards a training program? One thing's for sure – we're not just collecting facts; we're crafting our very own knowledge arsenal.
Beyond the Books: Extracurricular Overload
Books closed, game face on! Extracurricular activities are the secret sauce, adding that zesty flavor to your college major. They forge skills, connections, and squeeze every drop of fun out of college life. Into sports? Athletic teams beckon. Fancy debates? Hit up the Model UN. And there's always that option of a gap year to juice up the ol' extracurriculars. It's the perfect prelude to chasing those career goals and, yes – let's admit it – those dreamy salaries.
