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New research by ResumeGenius indicates that up to 1 in 4 students regret going to college or wish they had prioritised more stable and lucrative fields of work.
The clock might be ticking for universities, at least according to a new survey conducted by ResumeGenius.
1,000 full-time Gen Z workers across the US were asked about their opinions on college degrees and whether they would do things differently if given the choice.
Interestingly, 23% of participants responded saying they regret college and wish they’d focused on other higher-paying disciplines such as tech, finance, engineering or health care.
While that may be concerning for universities, the good news is that 32% said they were happy with their education path, suggesting that many still find good value in higher education despite the hefty price tag.
Fortune points out that ResumeGenius’ latest research mirrors a similar survey by career consultancy firm Tallo. 2,000 adults aged up to 30 years old were asked about their jobs and career choices, with a whopping 62% responding by saying they aren’t working in a field they originally intended.
An additional 25% are struggling to find jobs within their chosen discipline.
Given just how expensive college is now, especially in countries like the US and the UK, it can be hard for some to justify the life-changing costs. Creative fields in particular rely on portfolios and prior work experience to determine successful candidates, with education and training programmes often a lesser priority.
In such a competitive job market it can be hard to see the intrinsic value of college compared to twenty or thirty years ago. Why spend all that cash and still struggle to find work at the end of it?
In the US, the average cost of university is $38,000 USD a year, having doubled since the turn of the century. The UK introduced its own fees fifteen years ago, with tuition costing upwards of £9000 a year. Loans can impact your salary for thirty years and making the commitment to higher education is a serious decision.
