The College Fear Factor Chapter 3

Motivation to Attend College Question: Why do students remain in college in spite of all the adversities that encourage them to quit? The primary reason is Economic: College is an investment with purpose to achieve career goals Means to a secure a financial future College is the most direct route to achieve career goals

Two Primary Benefits of College Degree Occupational Benefits: most important reason A post secondary credential promotes career goal advancement Economic Benefits “The high school diploma is not going to allow the student to obtain the salary-paying job in order to support oneself.

Occupational Goals College is the means to improving occupational prospects Tired of menial jobs for minimal pay; but college offers a chance for better opportunities Sometimes the student does not know what they want to be; they just know that they want to be something.

Frustrations of College Required Gen Ed Courses (ex: math and English) prior to taking requirements for chosen area

Sources of Inspiration to Attend College Parents Parent may tell son/daughter: “You are not going to stay home and do nothing.” Parents encourage but it usually takes the student to realize that he/she will not be able to get higher paying job unless they get a post-secondary education. Peers Mentors

Student Expectations of sub-Baccalaureate Degree Most students see this as a “first step” in a longer career path: plan to continue on to a baccalaureate degree and even on to graduate programs Employers are looking for people who have education Initially the student’s goal is to have the security of an associate’s degree; perhaps with an associates degree and a better job, the new employer will pay for a bachelor’s degree Some saw a continuous path to a baccalaureate Some saw two years in community college, then transfer to 4-year college Some saw two years, work for a few years, then return to school

Short Term Costs of Postsecondary Degree

Conflict between Short term and long term Considerations Two Types of Costs: 1. Price of Attendance (tuition, books) compounded by lost Employment Income Even part time students lose short-term income 2. Decreased Ability to Advance in the present place of employment if they did not attend school Result: Going back to school is a gamble: risk of losing certain advancement in of greater (but less certain) increases in future income

Why wait to go to college? If student attends college right out of high school they may find themselves still without the ability to get a job Students may be forced by parents to register for college courses; they choose not to attend classes or complete assignments because they are not ready to attend Other students come back to school and don’t care what they get a degree in (EMT, nurse, lawyer), they just want to get a job that pays so that they can get out of debt

Career vs Financial Security Conflict between Long Term (good career) and Short Term (financial) Security: Part time job requirements may take priority over school Seasonal required increase in hours Overtime requirements This conflict affects: Whether and when to attend college How long to attend college What type of degree to pursue How that degree can be earned most efficiently

Getting an Education vs Enjoying It School is only to be endured for its long term benefits Classes positively associated with challenge and importance to future goals But do not facilitate enjoyment, positive affect, or motivation Student finds that attending will not be any more appealing as time passes Taking basic course like comp may be considered a “necessary evil” to prepare the students to write papers in other classes

Pitfalls of Chosen Career Path Future Financial Security Important: Student may choose an area based on future salary rather than on personal interest Realities of needing financial stability may alter educational and occupational plans Plan: gain financial stability and then return to the area of interest Problem: student may get a degree, go out into a career, and disliking the career Other students may find that they would rather get an education to learn to do something that they want to do

Community College: Narrow View of Utility Students view degree plans (and specific course requirements) as directly linked to a specific career path Student meets with advisor and is placed into a career plan immediately If student not sure about career choice, sent to career counselor, who would help them determine their major Basic course may not transfer to another career path if student changes Therefore each decision places constraints on future paths

Cost-Benefit Assessments College students regard efficiency, and consider strategies to win while minimizing consequences of losing Higher education is seen as the means to achieving a goal and at the same time an obstacle to getting a job and getting on with life Value of a course: is the student getting what they are paying for? Is the cost of the textbook worth the money? Student’s Value of a degree: “college is important as it applies to the financial and occupational future but the best college experience may be the shortest one” Sometimes can earn a certificate rather than an Associates degree, get finished sooner, and not have to take comp 1 and math courses

Getting Money’s Worth Sometimes the career goal does not require a diploma (ex radio broadcasting) Time and money are scarce resources Short term choices most important