Some people believe that studying in a college or a university is the best way for students to prepare for their future career. However, others think they should leave school as soon as possible to develop their career through work experience. Discuss both views and give your own opinion.

Sample 1:

One of the most significant and challenging decisions one has to make is whether to go to college. In my opinion, while higher education is the right choice for some people, it is not for everyone.

Going to college straight from high school is the popular decision because statistically, those with a college degree earn more money and are less likely to experience unemployment. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), median weekly earnings increase with each level of education and unemployment rate is lower among college graduates. Higher education is also worth considering if high school graduates have selected an occupation that requires a bachelor’s degree for all or most entry-level jobs, which means without going to college, it would be impossible to enter the field. In addition to preparing themselves for a particular occupation, students can learn valuable and transferable skills, such as verbal and written communication, interpersonal, time management, critical thinking, and problem – solving skills, that can help them succeed in any career.

On the other hand, going to work after high school would be a better choice for those pursuing a career that does not require a degree, such as personal trainer, electrician, and massage therapist. People who struggle academically or cannot afford tertiary education should also consider working as it is expensive and time- consuming to obtain a degree. Besides, working individuals will be able to earn money, which would give them a sense of independence and confidence; it would also give them life experience and help them make a better decision about schooling in the future.

In conclusion, the decision to enter university or the work market is a life changing situation that requires investing significant time and resources; thus, one should consider some of these pros and cons to include in their analysis of determining what’s best for them.

Sample 2:

It is irrefutable that most people believe that a university degree is the only way to get a
good job. I believe this is true in certain areas whereas in other areas, it is not as useful.

To begin with, many people have ambitions to become a qualified professional, and there
is no doubt that becoming a doctor or a lawyer is only possible with a degree. Another
advantage of graduating from a university is that it gives you more choices when it comes
to choosing a job. Most employers will be more impressed by a candidate who has a
degree than they would be by one who only has high school qualifications because it
shows a certain level of intelligence and education, as well as the commitment and self-
discipline that is needed in order to study a degree course for three or four years.

On the other hand, there might be some benefit of starting your career early, especially if
your chosen field is one which does not typically require a university education. This
would apply to somebody who wants to become a car mechanic, or a fashion designer,
for instance, who would not gain anything from going to university. The hands on
experience you gain from your job while others are studying for a degree can give you a
distinct advantage. My uncle left school at sixteen and became a wealthy and successful
automobile dealer. He claims that he had learnt all he needed to know by working in his
chosen field and that he could not have done any better by getting a degree.

To conclude, it is possible to get a good job without going to university. Having said
that, some professions such as the law require you to have a degree and as stated above
a university degree could open more doors when looking for a job. 

Sample 3:

It is a common dilemma if enrolling in tertiary education is the most effective avenue for pupils to shape their future career, or they should leave school as early as possible to advance their career through practical experience. However, I put forward the view that hands-on experience that hones skills is crucial.

To begin with, tertiary education aims at how to extract knowledge from the existing arena and how to create new knowledge for adapting to the ever-changing work conditions. This means that the university’s learning methods encourage students to think, analyze, explore new ideas, and be creative. Subsequently, this expands their competences and knowledge, having a good grasp of abstract concepts and theories, expressing their thoughts lucidly in writing and speech. In short, higher education provides students with an impressive array of education and skill-building curricula that equip them to cope with new and challenging circumstances. A contemporary study by the labour economists founds that an executive with university degrees will give a competitive edge over his counterparts.

On the other hand, workplace experience provides youngsters with crucial know-how, personal attributes and skills that most companies look for. First and foremost, teenagers can learn how to work in groups. A student may get the experience of working in teams on assignments, but most workplaces are comprised of groups, and they need to acquire the competence to work well with colleagues and value each others’ contribution and strength. Secondly, the first-hand look at planning, organizing, coordinating and managing time can have a significant effect in their career. Thus, the practical experience offers the youth a chance to sharpen their skills such as team working, communicating, problem-solving and so forth. A recent study has shown that employers value soft skills rather than knowledge of an academic discipline and technical skills.

To conclude, knowledge and skills gathered from the university are essential in the incessant changing patterns of work but on the other hand, first-hand experience help master the skills that attract employers. All things considered; it seems reasonable to assume that real-world experience is a step up on the career ladder.