Tertiary Troubles
Do We Need to Go to University?
T. G. George
AS MY COHORT endeavours upon their final year of high school, for the vast majority of us, our academic efforts are centred around one perpetual goal. University.
“If I can get a __ ATAR, then I can go to __ University and do a __ degree.”
The importance of an ATAR in this ambition is an entirely separate conversation, as the pathways to university are becoming increasingly extensive and accessible. But is university the only route to success for our generation?
University is a well-established and solidified construct within Western culture. There are 41 universities in Australia, with over 1.6 million students, and for good reason. Broadly speaking, by engaging in higher education, you are challenging yourself by expanding your knowledge and stepping up your application to your studies. By completing your degree, you gain professional qualifications and increase your chances of success in today’s workforce, where skilled labour is in high demand. Professional connections are also a massive advantage, providing future career opportunities, advice, and resources.
Yet, despite the generational success of universities, the numbers are dwindling. Students studying for a bachelor’s degree have fallen by more than 13% since 2016, with university interest among high school leavers declining likewise. So, what is accounting for this shift?
The overarching reason is the cost. The average undergraduate bachelor’s degree ranges from $20,000 to $45,000 AUD per year. For most university students, this is an unrealistic financial burden. Waiting tables in between classes is not paying it off, and hence, many accumulate HECS/HELP debt. An indebted beginning to your career is not ideal, taking an average of 9.6 years to pay off. This, coupled with a high cost of living, means that 60% of those surveyed at the Melbourne Institute felt that expensive tuition is the main barrier to taking on university.
More shockingly, there is increased doubt surrounding the leverage a degree provides in the labour market. In the same study by the Melbourne Institute, they found that nearly 50% of people believed university does not lead to a better job, including those with and without a degree. For many high school leavers and employers likewise, the 3 to 4 years of gained experience in the workforce exceeds the value of a university education (and saves a bit of dosh). With an increasingly robust Australian job market, this sentiment may be justifiably gaining more traction.
Now, if you want to become a doctor or a lawyer, you obviously need a university degree. But, let’s be opportunistic for a second. Three in 10 billionaires do not have a degree. Most notably, Mark Zuckerberg, Steve Jobs, and the late Bill Gates. I am most certainly not saying that if you bypass university, you’ll become mega-rich. I’m just highlighting that university is by no means a prerequisite for success.
Mark Zuckerberg
So, with all this being said… why waste your time at university when I can teach you how to make MILLIONS!? Buy my online course today…
In all seriousness, I am not at all overstating the benefits of university. For many, it is the most suitable and advantageous pathway to commencing a rewarding career. However, with the plethora of potential hindrances, it is not a sure path to success. For my Year 12 cohort, there is a lot of uncertainty surrounding what our future entails. I encourage us to think deeply about what we want out of a university degree, and to consider the variety of options that are available post-school.