Is college really the key?

As I get closer to receiving my bachelor's degree I begin to question its importance. I am truly proud of myself for achieving this goal but does not obtaining it alter my future?

What I mean is, I am closer to relying on myself than on my parents, yet I still have no job! Being at N.C. Central University has taught me many things, yet I still don't have a job related to my degree lined up and I still have loans to pay back.

Plenty of accomplished individuals make 10 times more than our parents and don't have degrees.

To name a few: Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Diddy, Jay-Z, Kanye West and many more. The point I'm making is, many people tell you that without a degree you won't make it in this world and that's not true.

What you need is a plan that you know how to achieve. Knowledge is vital, especially if in your plan is to work in law, medicine or education.

However, my thing is if you have a plan, that can take you much further than any degree.

A prime example is Brian Williams, anchor of NBC Nightly News. He did not obtain his undergraduate degree; instead, he took an internship in Jimmy Carter's administration.

Now look where he's ended up: making millions in his field of interest. His name is synonymous with journalism in a positive light.

Another example: Sean "Diddy" Combs does everything under the sun. Owns a record label, produces, acts, raps, owns a clothing line and so much more. In 2011, Forbes magazine estimated his net worth at $500 million.

He left Howard University after his second year for an internship opportunity at Uptown Records.

My point is, if you have a plan, you don't necessarily need a college degree because obtaining a degree does not stop you from making millions or even billions. All you need is a good idea that you know how to implement.

Look at Bill Gates: he didn't graduate from MIT and yet he is one of the richest men in the United States.

Steve Jobs was one of the smartest men the world has ever seen. He didn't graduate from college —  yet we use his inventions every day. I know as college students you definitely have iPods, Macbooks, iPads, or even an iPhone that you use every day.

What I want students to realize is, just going to college isn't enough, especially in this day and age.

You either have to have something special about yourself or start your own business. Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin graduated from college but these men had a plan and knew how they were going to implement it.

College is the time when you learn who you truly are and what you want to do for the rest of your life.

It sounds scary, but at the same time it is the greatest four or how many years you choose to stay here. Just know that a degree isn't enough and not having a degree isn't the end of the world. Not having a plan is