Dear Waiter in California,

You ask if college is necessary, which is not a simple yes or no answer. There are many different aspects to look at here. First of all, if you are a high school student and aren’t sure what you want to do for a career. Don’t go to school. It is a lot of money and if it is going to be wasted all because you went for something you won’t use, it is not worth it. Granted, a school like Northeast is very affordable and scholarships can help pay your tuition, but you are also wasting two years of your life in class when you could be working a full time job. When you add up all the costs, those 2-4 years you spend in school are putting you much farther behind than you would have been if you had just gotten a job right out of high school.

With all the bad out on the table, if you do know what you want to do and are confident that the career you choose will still be on the job market. Go for it. College is a tool that will help you get to where you need to be. It can also help you get into higher paying positions, the title does go a long ways in today’s world. With that said, know that there are some jobs that  require little or no schooling at all and that is fine as well. If it makes you happy, and you can be successful, do not let someone talk you into going to college if it will be of no use to you. If you’re going to get a degree make sure it will not just be something to frame and hang on your wall, but a tool to help you do the job you love.

-Ask Angela