Like most sales people, college recruiters are responsible for selling their business. And it is crucial, when making the college decision, that you do not fall for their sales pitch.
You might attend ceremonial affairs hosted by the university such as fundraisers and commencements. At each affair the President of the college is responsible for selling his university the same way a CEO is responsible for selling his business. He has a sales pitch also.
In almost every case the sales pitch is education. This is generally seen as the primary role when "selling" the university to us. The education role is obviously one that is also a priority to students, parents, and benefactors. There is nothing wrong with that. Education is important and we have seen what an excellent job elementary and secondary schools have done in educating our sons and daughters. But when it comes to higher education...
Don't be fooled
Education was the most important part of the college experience in the 1960's and 1970's. Then the cost of a college education was relatively cheap compared with today's sky-high prices. And after you graduated you could get a professional entry-level position. Think of it. You could attend college, receive a great education that was the envy of the world, and actually be able to use that education to start a career.
Today you are neither educated nor employed
Many corporations today only recruit seriously from top-tier universities and foreign colleges. It is from these schools where professors who have spent years in their chosen fields of endeavor teach students. On the other hand, most professors in our second-tier schools are academically qualified but lack significant professional field experience.
(Note: I refer to top-tier as only one to two dozen élite colleges across the nation. These are Ivies and several select colleges such as MIT and Johns Hopkins. Second tier colleges are all the rest, well over 99% of all colleges.)
American corporations have little time to waste on college graduates who graduate from honors programs and have trouble reading and writing grammatically correct sentences. So don't expect them any time soon to seriously recruit from the college you attend to hire entry-level professional employees.
But you are paying $200,000 for a four-year college education that for many students is close to valueless. This is $200,000 that you could spend on other things.
Unemployed four-year graduates may even decide to go to graduate school to delay paying back student loans. After graduation, you scrape as much money together as you can, and try to pay it all back. And after it's all done what do you have? Whatever it is, for most graduates, it's not enough.
What should the sales pitch be?
Here's the sales pitch that all colleges should use today: A degree from our college will help launch your career. 75% of our graduates, within one year, are earning $50,000 in the field of their choice. Now that's a great sales pitch!
So what's your point Professor Roberts?
My point in all this is that you must change the way you think about a four-year degree. Success in a professional field generally requires a college degree. But when selecting a college, you must select a university that you can leverage for your own personal success. If the university you select neither educates nor provides the starting point for a professional career you should look elsewhere.
And above all, understand that in making the college decision, you must look to generate a return on your investment. You must demand a return on the money and time you invest. That means selecting a college that gives you value. Look closely at the university. Spend time making your decision. And do not be fooled by the college recruiters' empty sales pitch.
This article was created by J Roberts also known as Professor Roberts. He is a noted counselor to parents and students alike and is the author of the book "Colleges Behind Closed Doors: What You Need to Know (Long) Before You Go." He is an authority on the inner-workings of colleges, college preparation, selection, and finances. Visit him at http://www.professorroberts.com/.
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