Value of a degree

Economy. Recession. Jobs.

It's what everybody is talking about these days.

If you scan the media, you are sure to find articles and reports that question whether in a time of scarce employment if the cost of a college education is still worth it.

To the recent or soon-to-be graduate it can be hard not to think about future employment prospects. Some of them may even question whether the sky-rocketing tuition, fees and general cost of higher education and the debt afterward are worth it.

"Out-of-state costs can make you think it's not worth it," said sports management senior Cynthia Harris. Harris is from Lynchburg, VA and said she pays more than $12,000 in tuition and fees per semester.

"Pricing is getting outrageous. It's like they're charging for the name."

In-state semester credit hours cost $351 according to N.C. Central University's 2010 approved tuition and fee schedule. A credit hour for out-of-state students is $1,673.

"Tuition has gone up since I've been here but they're not adding any stuff I can see," said Harris. "When I came to campus it didn't cost even $10,000 for classes and on-campus housing."

"Now I'm paying more and I stay off campus," she said.

The U.S. Department of Education website explains that during the 2009-2010 year, a four year public institution's average tuition and required fees totaled approximately $15,000 for out-of-state students and approximately $6,400 for in-state students.

The cost for four year private non-profit institutions was approximately $21,100 and for four year private for-profit schools the amount is totaled at $15, 700 a year.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics at the U.S. Department of Labor, the August unemployment rate for the country sat at 9.6 percent. The unemployment for college graduates with at least a bachelor's degree sat at 4.6 percent in August.

The unemployment rate for people with only a high school diploma for the same month sat at 10.3 percent according to the Department of Labor.

Hearing numbers like these does not discourage some N.C. Central University students.

"I do think college is worth it and that it pays off," said Skyler McClellan, hospitality senior.

"People I know that graduated are working in the field. A girl I know came out of hospitality and now she's a manager for Sodexo."

Donna Hembrick, NCCU's director of career services, shares McClellan's sentiments.

"It's a continuous process," said Hembrick. "Career development continues after graduation. When you invest in education, squeeze out every dollar you pay for. Utilize career services, tutoring, events and the library. You pay for it all."

Hembrick said that skills are also picked up through community service requirements and internship.

"You have your community service requirements that make you become a part of the community and also develops a skill set," said Hembrick.

Hembrick said that internship are of huge importance.

She said it would be ideal that every student had at least one internship but preferably more than one.

"When you're trying to find a niche, you need a comparison," said Hembrick.

"So get at least two internship at a minimum. Employers want to know what you can do."

Students ordering if the income they will make after graduation will be enough to cover loans should look at figures from the Department of Education.

As of 2008, 72 percent of young people with at least a bachelor's degree worked full time compared to 62 percent of those with only a high school diploma.

That same year, the government reports that the median income of young adults with a bachelor's degree was $46,000 compared to $30,000 for those with only a high school diploma or its equivalent.

In 2008, people with a bachelor's degree earned 53 percent more than someone with only a high school diploma and 96 percent more than someone that did not earn a high school diploma.

Hembrick said that Career Services is working on rolling out a program that will provide student employment on campus.

"It's similar to the work study positions on Eagle Trak," she said.

"Student employment will get University departments with identified positions to post those positions and students can search and apply for them."

"You'll have to have an approved resume through career services to get the jobs," said Hembrick.

"We want the best marketable resumes. It'll be like a job search. You'll apply, be interviewed if selected, and attend a required orientation just like a job."

Hembrick said that she hopes the student employment will provide students with experience and teach them the job search process. She called it "career exploration on campus."

For procrastinating students that have graduation on the horizon and have not had an internship Hembrick has some advice.

"Take action, it's never too late," she said.

"We work forward from where we are. We figure out what we can do over the summer for 2nd semester juniors. For seniors you can get an internship for the spring. Market yourself to get an unpaid internship whether off or on campus."

Hembrick also said that students should take advantage of the Career Fair coming to campus Oct. 11–13 in which employers will be here spread out over several days.

Back on the yard, Rivers said that he is a firm believer in college paying off."Take advantage of every opportunity you get because you don't know where it will lead," she said.

"Take advantage of resources. Be aggressive. Be flexible. They're really big assets."