High school seniorhood and the art of purposeful mistakes

Like the weather, the increasing cost and declining value of a college education is a subject that gets talked about a lot without anything being done about it. Rising costs seem as intractable as falling barometers, but what can anyone do to bring them down? Nothing. When the barometric pressure breaks, nature takes its course. Something like that will have to happen in the higher-education racket, too, especially with the default rate of student loans closing in on 14 percent and the loans accounting for more than 50 percent of outstanding U.S. Treasury debt.

Something will break, but not until it absolutely has to. As long as counselors and politicians (and university administrators, of course) talk up the necessity of college, and loan programs dole out money for worthless degrees, the majority of high school seniors will assume that Anyplace U is their next stop. But rather than make automatic assumptions, teens and their parents should take time to think long and hard about the long term. College used to be the very place to do that: to graze in wide fields of knowledge, learn habits of self-discipline, meet your future spouse—all without investing the equivalent of a home mortgage. These days the university is far too expensive to serve as a default plan or holding tank, unless you cruise in on a full scholarship or your parents’ trust fund.

Eighteen-year-olds who don’t have a career path firmly in mind (that is, most of them) might benefit from a gap year of minimum-wage work and self-directed study. And prayer: Christian young people shouldn’t be making their next big move without pouring on the prayer, but many of them do (and I don’t exclude myself or my own children). It’s amazing, in retrospect, how carelessly we make the most momentous decisions. That more of these decisions don’t end in disaster is a testament to God’s graciousness, but prayer and careful consideration might eliminate some pitfalls (and bank account shortfalls).

Kids in high school should be encouraged to read or listen to good books on vocation, like this one. They should also take advantage of a neglected resource: other people, such as older friends, church leaders, and extended family who might have some insight into a young person’s gifts and abilities. Even strangers can shed light on the wider world. A casual conversation at the ballpark or waiting in line at McDonald’s can easily lead to, “What do you do?” If the answer sounds interesting, follow it up: “How did you learn to do that?” “What do you like the best about it?” “The least?” Perhaps even, “What would you do differently?”

The answers to these questions may point to trade or vocational school as a better option—even an alternative university with a specific focus like historic restoration. Young entrepreneurs might be better off apprenticing, with a view to starting their own business someday. You won’t avoid mistakes, but mistakes are built into the project of living. At least you can make them purposefully.