As a recent graduate from a top university, I have to say that I haven't learned anything in college that is obviously applicable to the real world. I was a political science major and I mostly learned different theories that I can use to analyze real world events but not actual "workplace" skills.

But readily applicable does not mean that college is useless. You develop certain skills in college that you don't anywhere else like critical thinking and writing, reasoning, handling enormous workloads, analysis, and formal ways of argumentation. College is also a place where one is exposed to many ways of thinking and opportunities you don't get anywhere else. I was able to study abroad as well as meet extremely interesting people.

While college didn't teach me "practical" skills, I think it gives me an edge in the sense that the college experience gives one certain intangible skills you really can't get anywhere else. While I'm probably never going to use my knowledge about nation-building in Europe, I can definitely say that the analytical skills I developed writing dozens of papers will help me in any job.

Having been to college definitely gives potential employees a certain "it" factor that non-graduates might not have.
And in the case of graduates of prestigious universities like myself, it definitely gives an advantage in terms of having acquired a "brand name education".

Anyone that is able and willing should go to college. The experience is priceless and unlike anything else in life.

*Sorry about my ridiculously long answer* :-)
Source(s):
My own experience.


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