Sacrifices of time and money
Growing up, I was always told that attending university and earning a degree was the key to securing a successful future. My parents emphasized that higher education would elevate me, offering new perspectives and ensuring my place in a competitive job market. For the most part, they’re right—attaining a degree does provide unique opportunities and insights. Certain professions, like those in science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), or fields like medicine and law, demand higher education as a prerequisite. But outside of these specialized areas, are degrees truly worth the cost?
In the famous 3 Idiots movie, Boman Irani says, “Life is a race, and if you don’t run fast, you will be like a broken egg.” I want to counterargue and say, people in their 20s need to realize that you don’t need to do what everyone else is doing. Your 20s are meant to be confusing—a journey of finding yourself. I truly don’t believe you can have your life sorted out at that young age. Your frontal lobe hasn’t fully developed, so how can picking a university major for your future fall in the hands of a 20-something-year-old?
But back to my story.
As a digital media and journalism major, I’ve gained lessons from my professors, but the longer I spend in the program, the more I question whether the time and money are justified. Especially in a discipline like journalism that’s facing a transformation—and, some say, a decline.
Traditional reporting is being replaced by digital journalism, where anyone can post whatever they want and claim to be a journalist. To make it worse, much of today’s content is algorithm-driven or hidden behind paywalls. Many news organizations prioritize narratives that align with their biases, leaving little room for objective reporting.
Furthermore, I’ve noticed that some professors have rigid expectations for assignments, limiting the creative freedom that journalism, at its core, should encourage. Yes, I’ve learned a lot from my major—writing, editing, public speaking and more—but much of what I’ve been taught feels as it could have been self-taught.
This has left me questioning the value of spending thousands of dollars on courses when alternative, more affordable paths exist. Meanwhile, many college graduates face years of paying off student loans, sacrificing homeownership, financial independence and starting families. For those entering fields like education, social work, or the arts, the financial strain is significant, as starting salaries don’t pay well.
What’s more disappointing is that universities used to be the key to unlocking a stable, well-paying job. Now, that’s no longer a guarantee. Real-world experiences and networking are the ultimate keys to securing a job. In my view, degrees are just there to say you completed a program.
This isn’t to say universities are without merit. For students pursuing careers in STEM, medicine, law, or similar fields, higher education is essential. These professions require training and certifications that can only be obtained through credited institutions. However, for fields like journalism, where creativity, adaptability and networking are the most important, university often feels unnecessary.
The argument isn’t that education itself is unimportant—on the contrary, knowledge is key, and you should never stop learning. But university is maybe not the path for everyone. At the end of the day, I don’t regret the skills I’ve gained or the mentors I’ve had. After all, I’m able to write this story thanks to Wilfrid Laurier Student Publications. However, I do question whether the financial and personal sacrifices were worth it.
This article was originally published in print Volume 24, Issue 4 on Thursday, December 5.