The Value of Education

Link: http://www.schoolsforme.net

Smart job-seekers know they want to be involved in these industries but they also know they need to have the right experience.  While attending college is certainly a worthwhile option, there are three primary considerations to be aware of before deciding whether college is the best choice.

The first concern is the high sticker price of higher education.  Attending college can be expensive.  In fact, according to a recent New York Times article, college tuition has actually increased despite the economic downturn.  That's right - college students can expect to pay more than ever for a degree.

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The second concern is the substantial time commitment involved in attending college.  Most students should prepare themselves to spend at least four years of full-time enrollment.   In addition to actual class time, students also need to factor in time to complete homework and commute to and from school.

The third concern is that after spending all that time and money, there's no guarantee that a graduate will find a job.  While some schools offer job placement assistant, what most employers are looking for is actual experience.  Does the potential applicant have actual experience working for a real recording studio or radio station?  Have they been personally involved in an actual film shoot with professionals in the industry?

So instead of asking which schools offer career help, perhaps a smarter question to ask would be what is the best way to break into a specific media or arts related industry?  College is no longer the only option.  Smart job-seekers should be aware of other worthwhile alternatives.

One specific alternative would be to consider a radio, recording, or film institute.  They're typically far more affordable and take a fraction of time when compared with college.  When investigating enrollment in an institute, there are specific questions savvy job-seekers should ask when exploring or considering enrollment in an institute.

Will they be just another face in a crowd of students?  Or will they be working one-on-one with a mentor already in the industry who can help them achieve their full potential?  Will they be working on pretend assignments?  Or will they actually be gaining valuable hands-on, real-life experience while they learn?

The right institute can equip job-seekers with the attribute that all employers value most - actual real-life experience.   After all, wouldn't it be better to be employed in your dream career and let someone else worry about which schools offer career help?