In 30 minutes, one could have mindlessly watched an entire episode of a favorite sitcom. In 30 minutes, one could have called in–and had delivered–a Jimmy John’s order, just to see if it was “freaky fast.” But–in 30 minutes–one could have also figured out what the next four years of college might look like.

On Sept. 24, Elkhart High School juniors and seniors attended a College Fair, with the hope of determining which colleges to apply to. The intent of the fair was to curate opportunities for students to interact with representatives from area colleges. Thus, from 8:45 to 10:45 a.m., students processed in and out of the ETI Fishbowl in 30-minute intervals doing just that. A similar event is being planned for AM Career Center students, who will be having their own college fair on a separate date. 

Many of the students who attended had great things to say about the event and deeply appreciated the amount of opportunities it provided them. Caden Comer, a senior, declared that he really enjoyed his time speaking with college representatives. “It was honestly a really great opportunity for me. I got to learn a lot about the colleges that I want to go to, and I got to hear firsthand about the unique band programs at every school that I was interested in.” Noting how beneficial it was to him, he encourages the underclassmen to put next year’s event on their calendar now. “I would really recommend it again next year for rising juniors and seniors.”

Comer thinks it would be especially helpful for those students who know very little about college or are undecided about attending after they graduate. “It’s always good to be prepared and to explore opportunities that are presented to you.” In that way, at least, a person is making a more informed and educated decision about his or her future. And, while earning a degree can be beneficial to one’s career, there are other benefits that come with going to college.

According to the official website of Metropolitan State University in Denver, College is an important part of building one’s future, be it career, interpersonal relationships, or networking. “When it comes to making decisions about your future, there are a lot of factors to consider,” the site states. “One of the most important decisions you will ever make is whether to go to college.” Selling their point further, the university adds this: “Some people might say that college is no longer important, a poor investment or that you can get a well-paying job without going to college. We disagree.”

Certain national statistics would support this claim. In fact, Harvard Business Review states that 44% of all jobs at the moment require a college degree. While this is down 7% since 2017, it still suggests that the majority of employers are seeking individuals with degrees. Why? According to FlexJob, “Employers feel that candidates with degrees possess more hard and soft skills than non-degreed candidates.”

The soft skills that employers see lacking these days include one’s ability to interact with coworkers and customers in a professional manner, to dress professionally, and to consistently show up to work–and on time. The hard skills, on the other hand, relate more to one’s critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and one’s ability to adapt to the specifics of a job.

Thus, even for students whose career paths do not strictly require college, attaining both the hard and soft skills provided through the college experience can make them the more hirable candidate for most any job.

Mr. Michael Henderson, an English teacher at EHS, insists that now is the time to investigate college to determine whether it is the right fit. “EHS Students should definitely go to the college fairs! It’s good to get exposure to a higher education opportunity, and it’s also very beneficial to maintain a bond with people in your field.” Henderson concedes that college is not in everyone’s “path,” but it’s a “good opportunity” for most. “College is a good middle ground between being an adult and being a teen,” Henderson explains. “And, it helps people learn how to be independent while still being able to have a relationship with their parents.” He also notes the benefits of “networking” through college. “You can make very long-lasting friendships in college,” which can be satisfying on their own but also open doors to future job opportunities.

While attending this year’s College Fair made it easier to access information from a wide array of college and universities throughout Indiana and the surrounding areas, students are only one click away from accessing this data on their own through the internet or one call away from phoning the institution to personally speak with a representative.