My paper will discuss how student debt is not progressive to a students life and how students abandon their passion because student debt forces them to.
The basic concept has potential but seems stated a little broadly for a research topic. Perhaps you could focus on how (or whether) students debt affects choice of major -- "balancing passion and practicality" as some research articles put it. In any case, focusing on the choice of major would give you more focus.
I think it is an interesting question as to whether or not students are even chasing more lucrative majors for the money because they are in debt, or if -- like most American students -- they are mostly following their passions no matter what the cost. And following your passion is not always a wise decision, especially if it leads you to default on your debt -- but it is hard to convince a young person of that as they all assume "I will be the one writer/filmmaker/artist/actor/etc. who will succeed and make it big," My own theory would be that the Me Generation is convinced that they should follow their interests in college no matter what and that they are entitled to do so.
It's also possible, for some people, that following your passion can be a wise move. After all, those who did succeed against all odds have always been incredibly passionate about their work. It's just a very risky decision for someone in debt to make, so I would be curious if the rise in debt is or isn't driving students to make more practical choices when it comes to majors.
One students started with these questions, though he ended up focusing on STEM majors in his final paper. But his blog might point you to some interesting resources: http://cortescollege201.blogspot.com/
This article he lists in his bib sounds like a great place to start: Tepper, Steven J., and Danielle J. Lindemann. "Perspectives: For The Money? For The Love? Reconsidering The 'Worth' Of A College Major." Change 46.2 (2014): 20-23. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.
You might even find that one online if you search.
By the way: you could consider Ken Ilgunas as a great case in point for following your passions over choosing the most lucrative major when you are in debt or don't have money.
You can find one very disturbing counter-example in the film Default, which features the story of a fellow who went to the Tisch film school in New York and ended up $200K in debt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvQR93C6n2E
The basic concept has potential but seems stated a little broadly for a research topic. Perhaps you could focus on how (or whether) students debt affects choice of major -- "balancing passion and practicality" as some research articles put it. In any case, focusing on the choice of major would give you more focus.
ReplyDeleteI think it is an interesting question as to whether or not students are even chasing more lucrative majors for the money because they are in debt, or if -- like most American students -- they are mostly following their passions no matter what the cost. And following your passion is not always a wise decision, especially if it leads you to default on your debt -- but it is hard to convince a young person of that as they all assume "I will be the one writer/filmmaker/artist/actor/etc. who will succeed and make it big," My own theory would be that the Me Generation is convinced that they should follow their interests in college no matter what and that they are entitled to do so.
It's also possible, for some people, that following your passion can be a wise move. After all, those who did succeed against all odds have always been incredibly passionate about their work. It's just a very risky decision for someone in debt to make, so I would be curious if the rise in debt is or isn't driving students to make more practical choices when it comes to majors.
You could also look at the corollary: that Rich Kids Can Afford to Study English.
One students started with these questions, though he ended up focusing on STEM majors in his final paper. But his blog might point you to some interesting resources:
http://cortescollege201.blogspot.com/
This article he lists in his bib sounds like a great place to start:
Tepper, Steven J., and Danielle J. Lindemann. "Perspectives: For The Money? For The Love? Reconsidering The 'Worth' Of A College Major." Change 46.2 (2014): 20-23. Academic Search Premier. Web. 6 Oct. 2015.
You might even find that one online if you search.
By the way: you could consider Ken Ilgunas as a great case in point for following your passions over choosing the most lucrative major when you are in debt or don't have money.
ReplyDeleteYou can find one very disturbing counter-example in the film Default, which features the story of a fellow who went to the Tisch film school in New York and ended up $200K in debt:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wvQR93C6n2E