American Dream Podcast Episode

The American Dream explores the relationship between a college education and success. The belief that anyone who works hard can succeed in America is fading. The cost of attending college is rising, causing increased dropout rates and student debt. Many students feel pressured to choose the college route, even if it's financially unmanageable. High school students should be educated about alternative paths after graduating, such as vocational or technical degrees. The stigma surrounding technical education needs to end. Facilitating opportunities for individuals to develop a sense of purpose, such as a gap year of national service, can help them discover their passions and goals. As individuals make conscious decisions and develop skills through real-world experiences, success will be more diverse and attainable. Higher education will regain its purpose and the American Dream will be renewed. Hello, and welcome back to another episode of the American Dream. I'm your host, Arianne Davies, and this week we will be exploring the wonders of higher education, or rather, the increasingly rocky relationship between a college education and How would you define success? Is it universal or individual? Or are the two codependent? The United States of America has been known as the destination for success for many years. Many hopeful people have come to the U.S. with hopes of a bright future. They, like those raised in this country, hold a common belief that in America, anyone who puts in the work can obtain success. For many, a vital part of the work they put in to create their success is earning a college degree. Higher education has been a cornerstone of this nation since its beginnings, and we've held the ideal that knowledge is power in high regards. However, in recent years, the American Dream has begun to fade. The ladder of success has become less and less accessible, as if the bottom rungs have been removed. So what does this have to do with college? The opinions and ideals of universities in past generations have limited the scope of success. There once was hope for success in many different ways, and now there's either obtaining a college degree or being deemed unsuccessful. What adds to this is the rising cost of attending college. The pressure to achieve success through the college route is very present, despite the incredibly high price for college education. The cost of tuition is causing many problems, including increased dropout rates, with the most current data collected by the National Student Clearinghouse illustrating that only 62% of students who start a degree or certificate program finish their program within six years. Not only that, there is a student hunger crisis, and an increasing number of young adults starting their careers drowning in student debt. The bachelor's degree is financially unmanageable for many, yet so many students feel pressure to choose this route. Last year, during my senior year of high school, I chose to attend university this fall with no prospective major and no defined plan or goals for a future career. I realized that many of my peers felt the same pressure to attend the university that I did. They thought they couldn't be successful unless they went to college. What can we do to fix this? First, we need to educate high school students about the opportunities available to them. Graduating students should be informed of the cost and benefit of various paths after graduating. Obtaining a bachelor's degree is not the only option for education after high school. There are many occupations that can be prepared for by receiving a vocational or technical degree. Beyond educating students, it is necessary to end the stigma surrounding technical education. One reason that tuition can be so high is because so many people attend college, even when they can't afford the costs. Attending university is seen as the most elite form of post-secondary education, dissuading many from pursuing a technical degree, even though this may be the best route to the job they desire, available at a fraction of the cost. Dan Fisher, CEO of ECMC, Education Credit Management Corporation, stated that more than half of students from undeserved communities are open to an alternative path of education and nearly 60% believe they can be successful without a degree. Yet most said they feel pressure, mainly from their parents, community, and internally, to go to a four-year school, even though community college or career and technical training may make more sense. The bachelor's degree has been incredibly helpful in the past, but this does not mean that it is the most viable option for all the people who want to be successful. Another aspect of fixing this problem is facilitating opportunities for individuals to develop a sense of purpose. As students are able to gain experience and purpose without pressure to go one way or another, Dr. Will Bunk introduced the idea of a gap year of national service, saying I would love to see the government find opportunities for people from these different backgrounds to work together, you know, on environmental projects. This time will allow young adults to discover their passions. They will be able to create goals for their future that they are motivated to work towards, increasing their ability to create success for themselves no matter what path they choose. As educated individuals make conscious decisions about their life and develop skills through real-world experiences, this will encourage the diversity of success. As these goal-oriented individuals strive for success in their own lives, we can support the diversity of talents and gifts of each person, encouraging them to discover their own passion and contribute that to the world. Specialization will help all to achieve their highest potential. As the rising generation enters the workforce as self-motivated and passionate individuals armed with their own goals and definition of success, the nation will be more successful. Higher education will regain its purpose and the obtainability of the American Dream will be renewed. Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of the American Dream. I'm your host, Arianne Davies, signing off. Until next time, remember, never stop dreaming. you