You Don’t Need a Four-Year Degree to Be Successful
Do You Use Algebra 2 Everyday
Today, I was in a department meeting discussing curriculum plans for the next school year. There will be two new teachers in my department for the next school year to make up for the shortage of teachers that will likely occur.
Everything was back to the status quo. The updated pacing guides are due at the start of the school year. Some teachers know who will be leaving after the year, while others secretly plan their exits to pursue advanced degrees or careers.
It seems every industry has adapted to the changes to remain competitive in their industry; the education system is back to the usual. I talked to another teacher who arrived on campus less than a year, and he was already planning his exit from teaching. My colleague is finishing his Master’s degree and moving into the technology industry when he completes his advanced degree.
Open transfers for teachers are ongoing for another week; therefore, we’re unsure what the department will look like next year. Yet, directives from the administration are already in place for all teachers.
The two areas driving teachers away from teaching are the working conditions at school and teachers’ pay. When my colleague gets his advanced degree, he hopes his starting salary will be closer to the $100,000 range for an annual salary. Because he is still a younger teacher, his teaching salary is around $50,000.
When I reached home from work, I wanted to find out the 14 highest paying jobs without a college degree. There are some on the list that I never expected. According to Oliver Dale from MoneyCheck, the 14 highest paying jobs without a college degree are here.
14 Highest Paying Jobs Without a College Degree [1]
1. Business Owner
2. Real Estate Broker
3. Sales Consultant
4. Air Traffic Controller
5. Virtual Assistant
6. Plumber
7. FireFighter or Police Officer
8. Site Manager
9. Information Technology Manager
10. Radiologist
11. Head Chef
12. Freelance Writer
13. Professional Athlete
14. Digital Nomad — e-commerce business
Of course, the list by the article author is not absolute because everything is dependent on many factors. The occupation that wasn’t a surprise to me was a plumber. I have had to call a plumber many times, and some of the plumbers have confirmed that they make decent money.
A freelance writer caught me off guard because I read there are a lot of writers who make a nice chunk of money doing freelance writing. With experience, effort, and grit, I can see writers making nice money.
The next occupation, firefighters or police officers, was also a surprise. I would think a thirty-year veteran firefighter or police officer would make closer to $100,000, but starting salaries would probably be closer to $50,000 — $60,000 in some areas.
I’m not sure professional athletes apply to the general population.
The Push for a Four-Year Degree
Public schools promote and advocate for students to enter a four-year university to receive a Bachelor’s degree. The very fact that Algebra 2 is a requirement for a high school diploma is evidence enough to show that the public school system sees Algebra 2 as the minimum course requirement to enter into a four-year university.
None of the occupations listed by the article’s author uses Algebra 2 in their profession, yet it is a requirement to graduate from high school. Some students naturally assume that a four-year degree is the next step after high school, but with the rising cost, inflation, and college education, it could be a no-win situation for many students.
It is a personal decision because college loans will weigh heavy on the students for many years after college. According to Melanie Hanson of the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of college is $35,331 per year; this includes books, supplies, and living expenses. [2]
Preparing For Next School Year
As we were preparing for the next school year, I couldn’t help but think that many students have no idea what they want to do when they grow up. The cost of education today is a lot more than when I graduated from college thirty years ago.
The stakes are higher now for students because college loans are closer to mortgage loans. If a student messes up, they’re flat broke for the next twenty years with college loans and no degree to show for it.
Knowing this today, why would a school system promote something so high stakes when there are a lot of jobs today that don’t need a college degree. Students can learn anything from the internet without attending college.
It leaves me to ponder today’s education system; why is the current school system still a part of the system?
Is it really for the students? Or is there another reason to keep the status quo?
Takeaway
The public school model is a losing proposition. For teachers, the working conditions are no longer worth the teaching salary. Yet, our primary goal is to teach students and encourage them to go to college and get a degree. I’m not sure if attending college is the right advice to give some students.
Final Thoughts
As I talked to my colleagues about the many scenarios we will be facing for the next school year, I wonder if we are giving some students a false impression that college is for everyone. Studying hard, going to college, getting a degree, and getting a good job is no longer good advice; a student following this advice could be bankrupt and in debt years from now, even if they did everything right.
The students don’t know any better because they are still learning, but the adults know better. The school system could push a generation into debt because some were encouraged and made to believe everyone should attend college.
The Algebra 2 requirement for all students to graduate high school says it all; the public school system assumes that all students attend college.
Reference
[1] https://moneycheck.com/high-paying-jobs/
[2] https://educationdata.org/average-cost-of-college
I write about my experiences as a high school teacher, writing, and anything that comes to mind. Sometimes I write about satire.
Don Sabado
Teacher | Author | Writer
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