Informative Speech

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Introduction

Some of the most successful people today have made it in life without a college degree. This includes some of the richest men and women in our nation, such as Bill Gates and numerous musicians, actors and sports professionals among others. The trend is not only evident in America, but elsewhere around the world. What therefore, is the need for a college degree? Some might not see the need for having one; after all, they can just emulate the successful people in the society who have made it in life without possessing a college degree. These thoughts no doubt run the minds of many students in pursuit of higher education. This is especially the case, when life becomes too difficult in various institutions of higher learning, that they do not see the benefits of going on. Despite these sentiments about higher education, it is imperative that people should diligently pursue that college diploma, for the sake of the nation and for future generations. Were people to pursue their own interests and forget about the generations to come afterwards, America would not be the great nation it is today. America has continued to grow tremendously because someone saw the need and the benefit of education; someone was willing to leave his comforts and pursue excellence through hard work and education. This person saw the need of developing his education beyond the basics and he was willing to develop the various institutions of higher learning.

Discussion

History of Higher Education/Universities in America

a. The history of higher education in America has grown in a major way over the years. Before World War II, higher education was only available to the wealthy few, who could afford to pay for their children in these institutions. Founded in 1636, Harvard was the first institution of higher learning in America. Other early institutions of higher learning include Yale and Princeton among others. Back then, religion was an integral part of learning and many learning institutions were founded or supported by different religious organizations. By the time of the revolutionary war, the number of higher institutions in America had grown to nine. Despite this growth, the number of people who sought college education remained small because the available institutions were mainly concerned with training religious ministers. Those who wanted to pursue other careers trained as apprentices or went to practical schools. After the revolutionary war, life changed in America, and people began pursuing different professions such as law and medicine (Duniway). Currently, America boasts of more than four thousand accredited higher institutions with a student enrolment of more than ten million. As of 2005, more than seventeen million people had enrolled in different institutions of higher learning. The number of degree programs offered has increased tremendously. In 2006, the number of degrees on offer had increased to almost three million (Random History). Although the number of these institutions increased, there was a lot of prejudice in enrolment. The institutions catered for the white male population, while the women and people of color were left out (Random History).

b. Segregation laws were legal in some areas of the country and as such, colored people had their own facilities. The second Morrill Act, which was passed in 1890, was instrumental in changing higher education for colored people. The Act discouraged race as a factor for determining university enrolment. It also provided that colored people should have their own colleges. Although this enhanced segregation, it ensured that African Americans and other colored people got a chance to learn. This increased the number of people pursuing higher education, a trend that has continued over the years. Social activities in these institutions might have been one of the reasons for the increased number of students. There was a lot of competition as colleges sought to increase the number of students. Although some colleges faced financial constraints during the great depression and the number of students decreased, others reported growth as the number of enrolled students increased. Education was not expensive after the wars and the number of students enrolled almost doubled. The GI bill enabled many veterans to go back to school. The government saw the importance of federal funding and it continued funding education research even after the war was over. This was an important step and it has continued through various scholarships aids and grants. Higher education has become expensive and students are forced to borrow so that they can complete their education.

The Post-Graduate Amount of Loan/Debt

a. As a student progresses from one level in school, he or she is forced to use various ways to cater for educational and personal expenses while in school. Very few students can afford to pay their way through college. Many of them finish their undergraduate studies with debts and if they decide to progress to graduate studies, the debt continues to accumulate. Students can get grants, loans and assistantships. Students do not have to pay for grants, and they can be in form of scholarships and tuition wavers. Loans on the other hand have to be repaid. They can be from the federal government, state, different institutions or private organizations. Doctoral students are more likely to receive aid than those undertaking masters are. The average amount in aid received by masters’ students in public schools in 2007-2008 was $12, 900 for public institutions and $15, 400 for private nonprofit institutions. For doctoral students, the amount was $22, 200 for those in public institutions and $25, 900 for those in private nonprofit institutions (Choy and Cataldi 13-22). In 20007-2008, the percentage of doctoral students who had employer aid was 12% for those in various Ph. D programs other than education and 21% for those taking Ph. D in education. Other than those studying education, 91% of all the students in various doctoral programs had received some form of financial aid. The average amount for any type of aid received was $24, 400. Grants amounted to about $ 14, 100 and loans were $15, 500. For students taking any doctoral in education, 74% of them received some form of aid, and this translated to $17, 400 (Choy and Cataldi 13-22). Grants amounted to $6, 800 and loans were about $16, 900. For first professional students of medicine, the amount of aid received was $35, 900, with loans amounting to $34, 600. Grants on the other hand amounted to $8, 000 (Choy and Cataldi 13-22).

Current Post-Graduate Unemployment Rate and Job Salary

a. More people who have attained a bachelor’s degree are going back to school to get a masters degree. This has been enhanced by the unemployment levels in the country, which continue to make the number of available job spots very competitive. The current situation is such that potential employers who are highly qualified are willing to work in positions, which do not reflect these qualifications. Although most people are going back to school so that they can get better salaries, this has proven to be false in some cases. Postgraduate holders are receiving very low payments as their starting salaries. In some cases, qualified and overqualified potential employees are applying for the same jobs and earning the same salaries (Terrian). Some students who have completed their doctoral studies in some fields such as engineering, liberal arts and technology continue to seek employment. However, in some fields such as health sciences, medicine and education there are very few people seeking employment (PurdueUniversity).

b. Professions in the engineering field attract impressive salaries. For instance, the average salary for computer engineering is $65, 000, while electrical, nuclear and chemical engineering average about $60, 000. Salaries for people who have undertaken veterinary medicine average $63, 000. Other courses, which attract high salaries, include aeronautical engineering technology and other engineering courses, economics, industrial management and computer science. The highest figure reported in engineering jobs is $96, 000 while the lowest is $24, 960. On the other hand, some courses do not attract impressive salaries. For instance, salaries in youth adult and family services average $22, 759 while forestry/fisheries/wildlife average $24, 000. Most jobs in liberal arts such as English, communication and sociology average $30, 000. The highest figure reported in liberal arts job was $60, 000, while the lowest was $11, 000 (PurdueUniversity).

Conclusion

Although some people have been successful without attaining a college degree, this is not a reflection of the whole society. Some people are gifted and talented in different things and they therefore learn how to develop their talent quickly. Others however, have to learn and gain knowledge. Despite all this, there is no end to learning. Higher education in America has come a long way. Some students find it expensive but in the end, they benefit because they gain more opportunities and in most cases, they earn a higher salary than those who have not advanced their education.

Works Cited

Choy, P. Susan and Cataldi, F. Emily. Graduate and First-Professional Students: Who they are and How They Pay for Their Education: 2007-08. July 2011. Web. 31 July 2011. <http://nces.ed.gov/pubsearch/pubsinfo.asp?pubid=2011174>

Duniway, Bob. A Brief History of Higher Education in America. 2006. Web. 31 July 2011. < http://www.collegewin.com/higher-education/a-brief-history-of-higher-education-in-america.html >

PurdueUniversity. Purdue University Salary Survey May 2010 Bachelor and Professional Degrees. 2011. Web. 31 July 2011< https://www.cco.purdue.edu/common/SalaryMay10.pdf>

PurdueUniversity. May 2010 Post Graduation Survey. 2011. Web. 31 July 2011. < https://www.cco.purdue.edu/common/PostGradSummaryMay10.pdf>

Random History. History of American higher Education; Pursuing the College Degree. April 29 2008. Web. 31 July 2011. < http://www.randomhistory.com/1-50/039degree.html >

Terrian, Meredith. Master’s Degree: Worth the Pretty Penny. June 30 2011. Web. 31 July 2011 <http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/8174725/masters_degree_worth_the_pretty_penny.html?cat=9>