In my household my parents believed an education was integral to living a better life, Everyone needed it to make something positive of themselves. My parents never asked me “do you want to go to college” but instead they asked me “What college are you thinking about attending?” Even though my parents couldn’t pay for college they were sure we could find some miracle scholarship or just join one of the military, this idea my parents have ruled out the excuse that I couldn’t pay for college which. To my parents obtaining a degree was expected from me and my siblings. That was it, no argument, it was not a negotiation but an order.

My brother for example attended the University of Illinois for two years until he dropped out. He fell into depression for not making the D1 basketball team and feeling he lost his purpose and drive in college. My parents were devastated and frustrated to hear this. They then began to view him as someone who let their life go and someone who somewhat failed in life. My parents’ respect and expectations for my brother fell greatly. College for me is closer on the horizon and I picked business because what comes to thought is money and funds. It seems like most financial smart majors you pick, it even has a sub category which is called financial management. To me business seems like a universal degree that any company will hire you if you have credentials in that major.

I have felt pressure to select certain majors because I look at some and just think “how can you profit or make a living from these majors.” I look at the popularity of majors and think that means they are not profitable or they are rigorous majors that you have to have a strong passion or understanding for to even pursue. Education as a public good is supposedly a saying that is offered to citizens and it’s always available. To me this only applies from k-12, but as far as higher education goes this phrase does not apply. In today’s world a degree is the only tool that will maybe help people compete in the job market. College degrees are not worth as much as they were back then, the standard of living and income of people with college degrees lessened long after the rise of college admission during the Vietnam war. For the most part Spelic did make me realize how whether it’s a for profit or a non profit college degree they do not guarantee a person financial prosperity in the world. I’m beginning to wonder if some people are better off not pursuing college.