Career Path or College Math?

As fall rolls around, a common question enters the minds of Aragon’s senior students: where am I going to college next year? However, perhaps the question should really be: should I go to college next year?

Signs hang around campus classrooms proclaiming the importance of a college degree, and counselors visit English classes to explain college requirements from freshman year forward. College has become the expected route for many Aragon students. However, the debt one might accumulate paying for a college education is enough to give one pause.

“The least attractive aspect of attending college was the money. There are a lot of expenses, though the two year route isn’t as bad as the four year route,” says Aragon graduate Alessandra DeVaughn, who currently attends College of San Mateo (CSM).

English teacher Robert Thurtle concurs, “The student loan thing is huge. You can keep [the debt] with you, and it won’t hurt you like some other types of debt, but for certain families it’s difficult.”

“Your piece of paper ends up being the same as everybody else’s,” adds Anthony Schurba, plumber for Steve Dempsey Plumbing Company, in reference to college degrees. Schurba, who graduated from Aragon in 2007, found that for him, college was not the right fit. He attended CSM for three months and says, “I couldn’t make it feel right. I was not moving myself forward in the world.”

Schurba left his minimum wage job at Smart & Final when he received the opportunity to work as a plumber.

Schurba now makes more than $100,000 a year and really enjoys his work. He says, “It’s great because you can always keep learning. There is always something new to do.”

Many vocational fields spark similar interest. Trades such as automotive mechanics and diverse management positions can be pursued.

Peter Thiel, a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, agrees that college is not always the way to go. Thiel has a fellowship called 20 Under 20, which gives hopeful entrepreneurs $100,000 to follow their business dreams and innovations. The fellowship’s main catch is that recipients cannot be enrolled in college during the two-year fellowship.

Even with programs like Thiel’s popping up around the country, many still think college is the only safe path.

Senior Camila Lastrilla, who attended Aragon for her junior year, says, “I cannot see vocation being a viable option. I believe that success is a fruit born from education.”

Senior Jonathan Pan concurs, “I want to go to a four year university. College is the first step to the careers I want to follow.”

“A high school education is not enough to get a good job. College opens up your freedom for work,” says senior Kathryn Miyahira.

Senior Paul Gonzalez agrees, “I thought of dropping out and being a mechanic, but I saw my brother go through a tough time when he dropped out.” Gonzalez wants to go to CSM or San Francisco State University. He adds, “I need a college master’s degree to get further in life and get a better job.”

However, many remain concerned that the promise of success after college is unrealistic.

Thurtle maintains, “There are all of these college graduates who can’t find jobs. Some of these students are going to college for the wrong reasons… they think they are entitled to a job.”

Counselor Laurie Tezak says, “My stance is that not everybody takes the same path… not everybody can go to college.” Tezak says that she has suggested both paths to students in past years. However, Tezak says, “All these doors open up [in college], suddenly. You get exposed and find what you truly love.”

History teacher Jennifer Seif concurs, “I inherently believe in education because I am a teacher, but I believe in other paths too. I want to wear both hats at the same time.”

Many students are influenced by the same expectations. “Going to college is more responsible than just going straight into a profession,” says senior Alex Achtar.

Whatever path one takes in life, be it college or vocation, Seif says, “You need to have an honest conversation with yourself and find the best personal decision.”

Schurba agrees, “You have to push as hard as you can in life. Get in there and get it done; be happy at the end of the day. You can’t second guess what you really want.”