Beyond the diploma: Is college still worth it?
College has long been seen as the natural next step after senior high school, serving as a gateway to good opportunities, stability, and success. In recent times, however, diskarte has become more appealing to some people.
In the ninth episode of PhilSTAR L!fe's Generations, college dropout-turned-musical director and composer Myke Salomon, veteran journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Gen Z columnist Angel Martinez, and content creator Raco Ruiz sat down to weigh the pros and cons of pursuing a college degree in today’s landscape.
Cruz-Valdes, who finished Broadcast Communication at the University of the Philippines, shared that during her time, there was no question about whether college was necessary.
"In general, we all knew we just had to go to college, but the question na lang is whether you could afford it or not. At that time kasi talaga, ang major preference was really college graduate," she said.
She noted that some people were already employed even with only a high school education then. "During my time kasi, ang dami talagang pwedeng trabaho kahit high school graduate ka. Ngayon wala na eh."
Salomon, who studied and later dropped out of De La Salle University, recalled "learning a lot" from high school, which he used to build his current career.
"I joined the theater club sa La Salle Green Hills, and I learned everything there, from acting to musical direction to putting up a production. Lahat ng ginawa ko dun, hanggang ngayon ginagawa ko," he said.
Recalling a conversation he had with national artist Ryan Cayabyab, Salomon said that he was encouraged not to formally learn how to read and write music as it would only limit his natural instincts and creativity as a composer.
"Tinanong niya ako kung nag-aral ba ako ng music. Sabi ko, 'Sir, no, I don't read and write music. I just use technology to put my ideas and to put the work out. Sabi niya, 'Tama yan kasi mag-iiba 'yung school of thought mo. Mag-iiba 'yung system mo in composing kapag nag-aral ka. Magiging structured,'" he recounted.
But Cruz-Valdes raised an important point about discipline. "College does not really teach you everything you need to know about what you're trying to learn as much as it teaches you discipline," she said. "Sa school, whether you like it or not, you have to submit the paper. Whether you like it or not, you have to recite. You just have to show up. That's what it teaches you."
Martinez also pointed out how one of the main arguments of not pursuing college is that you get to "carve out your own path" and learn how to be resourceful, citing successful entrepreneurs such as Mark Zuckerberg and Bill Gates.
"Kaya nga may concept ng multiple intelligences. You don't necessarily have to be booksmart and then you're superior to everyone else. I think there should be a collective decision to honor people's specific gifts instead of forcing them down to just one path forever like everyone else," she said.
However, the reality now is that many companies still prioritize formal educational attainment as a baseline requirement for hiring.
"Even if there are documented success stories of those who didn't go down the traditional path, the way society is structured is may emphasis pa rin on getting a diploma or at least a few years of college experience," Martinez said.
"Wala akong kilalang company na tatanggap ng real-world experience, na 'yun 'yung ipre-present mo sa CV or portfolio mo. There needs to be actual evidence of traditional markers of education," she added.
Knowing your goals
Whether earning a college degree is still worth it ultimately depends on one’s goals, as pointed out by Cruz-Valdes.
"Kung magdo-doctor ka, kailangan mo mag-aral. Hindi ako magpapagamot sa doktor na hindi nag-graduate ng college. It's as simple as that," she said.
"But for artists, self-driven 'yan eh. The art is within you. It's in your heart. Nobody can teach you what you feel will work," she continued.
Cruz-Valdes added that "it's the traditional paths that are more commercially rewarding."
"It's unfortunate, but that's true. It's what fuels the economy kasi. More businesses, more productivity in terms of what you manufacture. So 'yung mga art, hindi mo masyadong ma-measure unless you're in a first-world country," she explained.
Ruiz, for his part, echoed that it depends on the path that you want to take.
"I'm not generalizing, but a pattern I've noticed is so many people who don't finish school have their own businesses that didn't need school. Kasi they think in a different way that is different from a certain way a school teaches," he said.
"Depende sa tao. Meanwhile, for some people, school really helps them in the career they want to go down on. For example, doctor ka or lawyer—you really do need school to get that license," he added.
For those who are still uncertain about their path, Salomon highlighted the importance of having a good support system.
"Magmumula 'yan sa family, sa school, sa pag-upgrade ng system nila para alam mo 'yung path mo towards the profession you like or the skills na gusto mong i-develop. Kailangan well-supported yun," he said.
"Kapag mahina 'yung family support system mo hanggang sa community mo, mahihirapan talaga ang isang bata to choose," he continued.
Generations is available on Spotify and YouTube. Check out its ninth episode, where college dropout-turned-musical director and composer Myke Salomon, veteran journalist Luchi Cruz-Valdes, Gen Z columnist Angel Martinez, and content creator Raco Ruiz discuss whether college is still worth it.
Follow PhilSTAR L!fe on YouTube and Spotify to catch new episodes of Generations.
