Topic 10: It is right that college graduates earn higher salaries than the less-educated in the community. But they should also pay the full cost of their study. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? (p88)


In China, it has been a prevailing notion that everyone should strive to go to college so that a lucrative career and comfortable life are guaranteed. However, in recent years, the reality is rather frustrating because it is not easy for the college graduates to get satisfactory jobs. Comparing with the tuition they paid for their tertiary education, the salary is rather disappointing.

However, it should begin to dawn on people that college education no longer directly translates to higher salaries, and the pay people get should be dependent on their practical skills and the value they create for their companies. Therefore, it is not necessarily the truth that college graduates earn higher salary than some blue-collar workers, which is especially true in western countries. The reasons are actually plain to see. Just graduating from college, the students know little about practical work and they have a great deal to catch up with. Most companies have to offer months of training after recruiting new graduates. However, for some mature employees who may not be highly-educated but have accumulated extensive experiences in the line of business, are more readily to contribute for the company. Thus, it is no surprising that the experienced employees get higher pay than the new graduates.

Considering the expensive tuition required by tertiary education, some people claim that grants and scholarship should be offered to some disadvantaged students, while others insist that it should be at the expenses of the students entirely. I believe, the government or universities should offer certain amount of financial support to those outstanding students who are truly in need of pecuniary assistance. No one should be deprived of the opportunity of receiving higher education and thus making a change of his or her life because of poverty.

To sum up, even though higher education no longer ensures a rosy future, students should address more emphasis on the improvement of actual ability so that they are able to excel in fierce competition in the job market. And for those underprivileged students who are keen in pursuing higher education, financial support should be given by the government or the university.