College: It’s the best four years of your life. It also often doubles as the most stressful time of our lives. As we dream big, we can’t help but feel apprehensive about finding a well-paying job.
Although the employment rate of college graduates is slowly improving – the unemployment rate among those over age 25 with a Bachelor’s degree or higher is at 2.4 percent – the numbers are far from promising.
Temple University offers students tremendous opportunities to get a feel for what the “real world” has in store. Sure, you’re free to use your time taking classes like the Chemistry of Wine or UFO’s in American Society, but they won’t teach you how to be functional member of society.
The interview
Cody Blodnikar, a 2013 Temple University graduate and current Passenger Conductor for Amtrak, spent his college career studying the art of criminal justice with dreams of someday joining the police force. Upon graduating, Blodnikar was hit with the realities of today’s work force and had to adjust his path as so many often do.
“As a transfer student, I regret not involving myself more in extracurricular activities, however, I had the time of my life at Temple. I was involved in the intramural basketball league where I created memories I’ll never forget. I stayed on the path laid out, rarely leaving the trail laid out for me. As for preparation, I elected to take “Investing for the Future,” which to this day, I can still quote my professor.”
“Investing for the Future” is a course that teaches seemingly complicated financial topics in an understandable manner in an effort to assist students when it comes to making financial decisions. Blodnikar recommends all students take a similar course before graduation.
“When I was actually paying attention in class, I learned a great deal on investing, retirement, money management etc. I would recommend anyone who is not a business major to take a class like this or pick up a money management book immediately. You might not feel it yet, but the debt over your head can cause you to act abnormally and affect your relationships. It can change who you are and directly affect your lifestyle.”
We all hope to find our dream job right outside of college. Unfortunately, it’s not common.
“I didn’t get the position I have right out of college. I had to interview four times in multiple states for a job that requires only a high school diploma. I knew I was over qualified but those rejections were so painful because I was fresh out of college trying to obtain an entry level job paying 50k a year and yet I couldn’t.”
Rejection is discouraging, But rejection is inevitable and it’s perseverance, Blodnikar states, is that will allow you to overcome.
“I got the job almost two years out of school. I like to believe my degree put me in a hierarchy of potential employees for companies. Experience trumps book smarts and a Bachelor’s degree 99% of the time.”
With the help of financial aid, Blodnikar was able to graduate with just under $50,000 in debt, but his two-year job search added to his debt.
“Interest rates only helped me occur more debt during my job search. Instead of driving a new F150 with a monthly payment of $500, I’m stuck sending money to Uncle Sam.”
With this overbearing debt in mind, sometimes higher education – such as graduate school – is simply not an option.
“Post grad, I find myself working on the railroad, an industry I never even considered before. It does however pay much more than law enforcement, the path I originally saw myself taking. I would only consider going back to school if it was paid for by my company.”
What Blodnikar was referring to is a program like Tuition reimbursement, an opportunity many employers offer that pays for their employee’s educational expenses. Those who choose to participate still have to pay out of pocket for the courses they take, but when the course is over, the employee may be reimbursed for some or all of the tuition expenses.
“I actually considered the tuition reimbursement program and started weighing the options in getting a degree in transportation or business which I would love to do. You need to keep your brain working in life.”
Our take
While millennials are socialized to associate going to college with professional success, it doesn’t just magically work out that way. Pursuing a degree is a large investment, and if managed poorly you could be left struggling to make a living or paying off debts.
As students, it is absolutely necessary to understand the weight of the debt we are accumulating, and not only that, but know that simply taking some tough classes isn’t going to equate to landing a good job. With that, it is our responsibility to take full advantage of everything Temple – and all colleges for that matter – has to offer.
The path we envision may not be paved the way we expected, but you’re not doing yourself any favors if you don’t plan for the speed bumps.
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