8 myths about higher education that parents believe in, but in vain

2024 Author: Malcolm Clapton | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:44

These misconceptions have little to do with reality, but if you agree with them, they will significantly complicate your path to the profession of your dreams. We tell you why they should not be taken on faith - neither to you, nor to your parents.

1. Bachelor's degree is an incomplete higher education

In the minds of many members of the older generation, high-quality university studies should last at least five years. Hence the skepticism about the bachelor's degree, but in fact it is complete,. Accordingly, the holder of a bachelor's degree is not a dropout.

And if it still seems to you or your family that four years is not enough, then you can enter the next stage - the magistracy. In addition, there are still fewer specialist programs - just with a continuous five- or six-year study - in Russia. It is not at all a fact that they are in your chosen specialty in the universities of your city.

2. Professions are divided into serious and not serious

Physician, translator, lawyer, engineer in the oil industry are "serious" professions. That is, those that the generation of our parents associate with stable and fairly high earnings. Usually the choice of such specialties is encouraged. Another thing is an actor or an interior designer. Some parents believe that these professions are, to put it mildly, frivolous and not very intellectual, while others fear that a son or daughter with such a profession will not find a good job.

In reality, of course, there are no frivolous professions: everyone is needed and important. And a graduate of a theatrical institute, in love with his work and ready to constantly improve himself, will surely achieve success. And, most importantly, it will work with joy. Unlike the newly minted lawyer, who has given way to his parents, who is unlikely to reach career heights, doing a hated business. And we spend too much time at work to treat it as a necessary evil.

When the chosen specialty arouses not only interest, but also the willingness to engage in it with full dedication, this increases the chances of being successful in the profession. And even if training on it is only paid or it simply did not manage to enter the budget, this should not be an obstacle: you can take an educational loan.

It is issued with a deferred payment. The loan must be returned only three months after graduation. And the whole 10 years are given to repay. During your studies, you only have to pay interest. The rate is 13.01% per annum, and you only need to pay 8.5%. The remainder is covered by government subsidies.

3. Online education is not real

Online courses are not only short application programs, but also more fundamental education. Many major universities have distance learning for bachelor's degree, which meets all state standards. For example, at the Russian State Humanitarian University there are management, journalism, jurisprudence and seven other specialties. And in the end, get not some kind of certificate, but a full-fledged bachelor's degree.

A number of universities are launching online courses addressed to ready-made specialists for advanced training or retraining. So, at the HSE you can: from the Russian economy and the algorithm of calculations to the psychology of parenting and the analysis of films. of this university, compiled by teachers, can be passed on the Coursera platform, and completely free of charge (however, you still need to pay for the certificate).

4. You can't get a job without a diploma

Not for every profession a diploma is a prerequisite. With a school certificate, it's easy to get a job as a salesman, administrator or waiter. Yes, this does not sound like a dream job, but there are still opportunities to achieve professional growth, bypassing the university. For example, if you learn how to write texts well or work in graphic editors, there is a chance to make big money on the freelance exchange.

Without entering a university in just a year or a half, you can master many popular professions: web developer, internet marketer, data analyst and other digital specialties, make-up artist, colorist, manicure master.

This certainly does not mean that higher education is overrated. Yes, you can build a career without a degree. But not in all areas, and this will be a more difficult path.

The main thing is to enter a university and get a diploma is never too late: at least at 30, at least at 40, even at 50. When you understand that you just need a higher education institution, go for the coveted document.

5. The profession is chosen once and for all life

Fortunately, this is not the case either. Choosing a profession is a serious matter, but it should be treated more simply. Even your favorite specialty can get bored. Especially if you managed to reach maximum heights in it, after which there is no development.

No one will forbid you to retrain at any time and even leave after the first year to enroll in another specialty. Only circumstances - family or financial - can interfere. Moreover, it is likely that in the future, changing professions every 10 years will become the norm. Not only because we get bored with work, but also because some professions are becoming obsolete. For example, until 2030 there may be specialties of an accountant, pharmacist, foreman, and logistician. Learning new skills and constantly developing qualifications is often just a necessity.

6. Red diploma is cooler than blue

In a sense, yes: it is easier with him to enter the magistracy and graduate school, he is a reason for pride. But the red crust is unlikely to affect employment: your knowledge will be important to the first employer, and the next will appreciate your experience first of all. The main thing is to study in good faith and hone skills in practice. And too many "good" or "satisfactory" in the diploma is not a big deal: a rare employer will check your every grade.

Some employers generally find the excellent students too arrogant and not adapted to difficult situations. And in the case of creative professions, they also think too stereotypically.

7. After receiving a diploma, you can forget about

This is a kind of motivating thought, which in the language of parents means something like this: "Suffer these few years of lectures, tests and exams, then you won't have to study anymore!" And this is where they are wrong. Higher education does not automatically make you an expert, especially since universities provide mostly theoretical knowledge, which by the time of graduation may be slightly outdated.

To remain in demand as a specialist, you need to be ready to develop constantly. This means that you need to take advanced training courses, read relevant research in your profession, and learn new skills. This is the only way to keep up with the rapidly changing world and compete with new specialists graduated from universities every year. But do not take the need to study after graduation as a duty. First, it's interesting. Secondly, knowing that you have your finger on the pulse of new technologies in your profession will make you more confident.

8. Studying on a paid basis is a shame

And this is also not true. Paid education is not a shame for life because you did not pass the competition, it is an opportunity to get the education you need. And it will be of the same quality as the free one, since it follows the same program. And how deep the knowledge gained will turn out to be largely dependent on your diligence and professionalism of the teachers, but not at all on the amount of money spent.

There is a high competition for specialties in demand in good universities. And even applicants with very good grades can be left behind if they lack a couple of points. It’s wrong to give up on a dream because you didn’t enroll in a free program. Don't miss the opportunity so you don't regret it later.

With Sberbank, you can study at any Russian university with a license, even at the most rated universities in the country, for example, Moscow State University, HSE or RANEPA. To get a loan, you do not need to prove your solvency. The exact cost of the loan and the amount of monthly payments can be calculated using a calculator on the Sberbank website.