Many students believe attending a prestigious college is the key to a successful career. However, a successful career depends not only on the university a student attends but also on their capabilities and experience.
Beginning a career with a degree from a respected institution does help in the early stages of the career due to the connections it provides for students. “I am trying to go into a very competitive field and so I believe that getting into a prestigious university will greatly help me out against the competition and also help me gain important connections,” said senior Reetham Gubba.
However, with experience, a candidate from any university can receive the same job opportunities as an Ivy League graduate with zero experience. Students have many opportunities to gain hands-on experience through internships and research, which are available to them regardless of the choice of college.
Only 0.21 percent of the population has an Ivy League degree. In comparison, 14.4 percent of the population has a household income of 200,000 dollars or more showing that many people have successful careers without a degree from a prestigious college.
“While I believe getting a degree from a prestigious university will help me at the start of my career by giving me an advantage over the competition, the experience will in most cases be more important,” continued Gubba. Students attending a less reputable school may have to put in extra effort compared to their Ivy League counterparts, but they can even the playing field by taking advantage of the opportunities available to them to develop their resumes as most recruiters find skills and experience most important.
“Many prestigious universities are costly, and I believe that a degree is a degree it does not matter which university I get it from,” stated Senior Prajay Gutti. In comparison, in-state colleges cost significantly less for students and still provide a rigorous education.
Regardless of their college, students should use their time at university wisely to build themselves a successful career. Forging connections and networking are important in the job market, and starting in college is a great way to get a head start. Students can also start building a portfolio of their work and working on developing their soft skills.
Success is not defined by the college that one attends. With the right amount of determination and skill, anyone can achieve success in their career. Everyone has a path to a prosperous career, and it does not have to include attending a distinguished college.
