The One Thing Students Need Most In 2016

We asked our members, “What do students need most in 2016?” Here’s one response that caught our eye. What are your thoughts?

In my quest to answer this question, I came up with many answers, some more useful than others.

In 2016, students need free coffee. In 2016, students need free textbooks. In 2016, students need top marks in every subject without trying.

None of those answers were entirely realistic. In the end though, there is really only one thing students need in 2016, but we aren’t going to get: jobs.

Not just any jobs though; actual careers. Casual jobs are all fine and good - they pay our way through university - yet they’re never enough. Casual jobs are also increasingly hard to get, and more and more, students are finding that they need more than one casual or part time job to be financially secure, and that is on top of a full time university education.

In the days of old, a completed high school education meant you were ready to enter the workforce, and a university degree meant you were smart, well-educated, and destined for a job in an office with opportunities for promotion.

Today, we just don’t have that guarantee. Nowadays, a high school education means you can proceed on to further study or training elsewhere, while many work at least one job, sometimes two or more, taking unpaid internships wherever we can, doing extra-curricular activities we usually don’t enjoy, then continuing on to honours programs or masters, all in the name of increasing our employability.

Somehow we are also supposed to make time to socialise with friends and family during this rush.

Why is a university degree now not enough? How much education do I really need to start my entry-level position?

The one thing students need most in 2016 is a guarantee. A guarantee that once we finish our education, we will be able to be employed.

Unfortunately, such a change will only happen with time, if it happens at all. But if you’ll excuse me, I need to go, because I have precious little time for family and friends as it is; more importantly, in the words of university students everywhere: I really, really need to sleep.

Congratulations to Kelsey for winning this writing challenge, answering: What Do Students Need Most In 2016? Kelsey wins a $50 Westfield gift card for her submission. For your chance to win, check out our latest writing challenges in our Comps section. Also, be sure to follow this guide on how to win the writing challenge!

Photo: iStock.