For generations, a college education has been seen as the golden ticket to a good life—a way to escape the grip of poverty and edge closer to the American dream.

Unfortunately, today’s college graduates are finding themselves at a loss entering a scarce job market where entry-level pay leaves them unable to afford a moderate lifestyle.

Colleges leave students with a difficult choice: pursue passion or money.

For some, the two go hand-in-hand, allowing for a fulfilling career while earning an average salary. However, not everyone’s so lucky.

Now, it’s true that being among the top in your field will grant you financial stability, but the need for art professors as opposed to nurses leaves many dreaming of an opportunity.

Nevertheless, attending college has become a laughing stock to many who view universities as money-hungry organizations selling an experience over truly leaving students in a good financial position as they graduate.

We’ve seen the divide in voting patterns among college-educated and non-college-educated people in America, and I would attribute that to the idea that “if you’re not going to college for a high-paying career, it’s a waste of time and money.”

While the Biden administration was attempting to pay off people’s student debt, many conservatives were furious with the proposition.

This was fueled by the left-leaning nature of universities, especially in the liberal arts, and the tendency for students to make massive loans on risky degrees. Many students don’t realize the struggles they may face after graduating. Majoring in art history or English may be what you’re interested in, but the risks are present and must be taken into account.

The job market for recent college graduates is rough, but it has more to do with age than the degree. Currently, the unemployment rate for college graduates sits around 2.6%, but for recent college graduates, it nearly doubles to 4.6%.

The Strada Institute found that 52% of college graduates are unemployed after one year. Additionally, after ten years, 45% of college graduates end up in careers that do not require a degree.

At some point, most people give up on their ideal career choice, opting for whatever opportunity presents itself. Bills must be paid; families require money and time ticks around us all.

A motivational video on YouTube will tell you to never lose sight of your dreams, but realistically, the world doesn’t work that way. There are careers waiting for you; it just may not be what you envisioned earlier in life.

As a political communication major, I have sat through countless lectures about race or ethics. Meanwhile, I’m thinking about what high-value skills I am learning that will apply to the workforce.

It’s no wonder why the Trump administration is gutting the Department of Education. There are issues, but I fear gutting the administrative state is not the solution.

Politics complicates the matter but doesn’t tell the full story. This isn’t a matter of wages of time compared to inflation or national income inequality. Those are issues that will arise once you enter the job market.

Additionally, wages have kept up with inflation very well. The income disparity, well, that’s a deeper subject that covers many bases among them identity and socioeconomic status.

Nevertheless, your college experience should be one of hope, where you truly believe doors will open up for you. Unfortunately, there are limited positions in some fields, meaning you must excel in your field to be properly compensated.

The age of knowledge has passed, with skills and services becoming a top priority. You’ve got to bring a variety of skills to the table if you’re pursuing a non-essential career or a career filled with post-grads still vying for an opportunity.

We cannot mistake the struggles of college graduates as a deterrence to getting an education.
The world is shifting, with major companies now valuing work experience and certifications. The playing field has shifted, making having a college degree not enough to land highly coveted positions.

It’s all about adjusting your passions to the needs of the job market. You may have to learn skills you’re not interested in or take a job temporarily.

The good news is that the average college graduate still makes more than the average non-college graduate. So, getting a degree will give you a baseline of stability that ensures you do not end up struggling financially.

But getting the position you want requires asking yourself how replaceable you are. Everyone is replaceable at some level, but the more valuable you are to the overall function of the company will not only land you a career but strengthen the grip you hold on your position.

If you play your cards right, you can pursue the career of your choice, but you may have to sacrifice things along the way. Going to college is an investment, not an experience. For many, it’s their chance to elevate their families’ financial status.

Unfortunately, the job market forces us to second-guess our passions and reassess what skills we’re bringing to the table. By catering your skills to the job market, you can ensure getting a position that combines your passions with the real world.

Mohammad Tantawi is a 24-year-old mass communication senior from Smyrna, Tenn.