July 25, 2016

Revealed: The Pros & Cons Of College Education

This post has been contributed.
 
Students these days all follow a similar path. It’s seen as the norm to finish high school education, and then move on to college. Eighteen-year-olds spend their final year in school fretting over which college they want to get into. There’s so much pressure on so many young shoulders to get good grades and graduate with flying colors. Getting into college is the product of years and years of hard work.
(Photo source: https://goo.gl/yA3Ze6)
 
Furthermore, college education costs a lot of money. In fact, some studies have put the average cost at between $11,052 - $42,419, depending on the type of college you go to. These are crazy figures, and it can take a lot out of a student’s bank account. In most cases, student loans are given out, and some students get help from family. Either way, there’s no denying that it’s an awful lot of money to pay for education.
 
So, it begs the question; is college education worth it? Is it worth going through all the mental strain and financial turmoil? The answer to this question is far from conclusive. It’s very much an opinion based issue. Some students swear that college was the best time of their life, and they wouldn’t change a thing. Others look back on their college years as wasted time and money. In this piece, I’ll have a look at some of the key arguments for and against going to college.

Pro: Desirable Qualifications

The main pro of college education is that you get good qualifications. Obtaining a degree can make you a more desirable employee. Big companies will be more inclined to hire you than someone else with similar experience and no qualifications. It can be a huge boost to your career prospects. However, it does depend on the subject you study. Some qualifications are more desirable than others.

Con: Students Are Treated Poorly

There’s a huge argument to be made that students have barely any rights. Sure, they get some protection under Title IX, but that’s about it. They’re forced to pay extortionate tuition fees and end up riddled with debt after graduating. Plus, they’re pushed hard and made to work long hours and put under mental strain. And, students are often the ones most affected by budget cuts and other new legislations.

Pro: Learn New Things And Meet New People

Another pro of college is that you can expand your horizons. You get to meet new people and learn about new things. You can experience new cultures when you’re in college; it’s a wonderful thing. And, you get to learn new and exciting things that you’ve never known before.

Con: Potentially Wasting Time

One could argue that spending a few years in college is potentially wasting time. Especially if you study a subject that doesn’t lead to great job prospects. There are thousands of students that have degrees and go on to work in Target. What’s the point? You may as well have done that three years ago, and you could be further up the career ladder.
So, there are some of the main arguments for and against college education. If you’re a student in high school, then you should weigh up whether or not college is right for you.
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July 11, 2016

Are Big Businesses Doing Enough To Save The Planet?

This post has been contributed.
 
 
In 2014, a report by the EPA revealed just how much pollution has damaged the world. At that point, the EPA claimed it would be incredibly difficult to fix the situation. Even if measures against pollution were taken, we might still not be able to reverse the effects. Since then, the message has been more positive. Scientists have revealed evidence that the hole in the ozone layer is getting smaller. The rate at which the polar ice cap is melting has stabilized. On the other hand, it is still melting, and we are still damaging the world.
 
You might have seen ads and promotions claiming you need to do more to save the planet. It’s up to you to fix the world by living greener at home. Put down the aerosol can and make sure that you’re switching the plugs off when you’re not using them. All this is well and good, but will it make a difference if big businesses continue to harm the environment? The answer, of course, is no. One business can do more harm to the environment than millions of households. That’s why we have to ask the question. What are businesses doing to help ‘save’ the planet?
 
Renewable Energy
 
The good news is that many businesses in countries across the world are reducing energy usage. This year, the UK released their new plan to decrease energy usage by a massive 57 percent by 2032. To do this, many big businesses are focusing on renewable energy. Renewable energy sources such as solar panels and wind turbines are being set up on business properties across the country.
 
In America, a trillion dollar renewable energy market has just been established. In a joint venture with Mexico and Canada, they agreed to pour money into solar power. This was to help make the aim to get half of America's energy provided by renewable sources by 2025.
 
New Innovations
 
Every year there is a renewable energy conference to offer new ideas for the world. Innovative concepts are brought forward for business owners interested in going green. For instance, this year India’s Renewable Energy Conference will present the ideas of some of the biggest players in the industry like Shikhin Mehrotra. As an international force, businesses are now working together to fix the problem we have created. Is it enough? If recent reports are to be believed, businesses may yet offer the solution that we need. Renewable energy technology is still being developed. If we reach the point where we can stop using fossil fuels completely, it will be due to research from businesses.
 
Continued Problems
 
That said, there are still issues that we need business owners to tackle more effectively. In the biggest cities in the world air pollution has become a major concern. This includes Nairobi in Africa, Beijing in China, LA in America and London in England. All are dealing with air pollution that could cause health problems for the population. This is mainly due to the number of cars on the road that are highly pollutive.
 
Therefore the fight against damage to the environment has only just begun. Though it seems clear businesses are doing more than many realise to help tackle the problem and find a solution.
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