09-13-2019, 09:57 AM
I'm a young adult myself, but my path is a bit different than others. I attended community college after high school, took a gap year for work, then decided to enroll at TESU. My boyfriend also graduated from community college with me, but took a more traditional path afterwards by enrolling in a 4-year public university. I'd like to think that we both have equally strong work ethics, considering we both hold corporate jobs within our fields, but there are notable differences:
(begin rant)
On the other hand, I've known people who graduated but spent the entire time neglecting their studies for partying and drinking--not saying those activities are inherently bad. Staying social keeps you sane! But when you lose focus on your academics, it feels even worse once you're tens of thousands of dollars in debt and you can't get a decently paying job. After working in corporate for a few months, the disconnect between the academic and corporate worlds are drastically different. I blame a broken educational system for not teaching students how to prioritize well.
(end rant)
All in all, I really think balance, discipline and staying proactive is key to success. Employers are raising the minimum requirements and a Bachelors is almost a necessity in many fields, and college tuition is only increasing. If you take the opportunities that college provides you, it'll definitely be worthwhile.
- I am one of the less financially-savvy TESU students, so I have paid a few thousand dollars to TESU. That being said, he still pays a couple thousand dollars more to his college than me.
- We are graduating at the same time, but I took a gap year
- He has been given way more networking opportunities than I have with career fairs, organizations, etc...however, I have the time to do this myself by sitting in on two graduate-level courses this semester
- He had to cut down his work hours to 25 hours/week, whereas I still work a full 40 hours
(begin rant)
On the other hand, I've known people who graduated but spent the entire time neglecting their studies for partying and drinking--not saying those activities are inherently bad. Staying social keeps you sane! But when you lose focus on your academics, it feels even worse once you're tens of thousands of dollars in debt and you can't get a decently paying job. After working in corporate for a few months, the disconnect between the academic and corporate worlds are drastically different. I blame a broken educational system for not teaching students how to prioritize well.
(end rant)
All in all, I really think balance, discipline and staying proactive is key to success. Employers are raising the minimum requirements and a Bachelors is almost a necessity in many fields, and college tuition is only increasing. If you take the opportunities that college provides you, it'll definitely be worthwhile.
BS in Data Science & Analytics and BA in Computer Science and Mathematics at TESU (June 2019 to June 2020)
In-progress:
MS in Cybersecurity at NYU (January 2021 to December 2022?)
MCIT in Information Security and Assurance at NAU (September 2020 to March 2021)
In-progress:
MS in Cybersecurity at NYU (January 2021 to December 2022?)
MCIT in Information Security and Assurance at NAU (September 2020 to March 2021)