Chapter 1: The Sociological Imagination - An Introduction

Chapter 1, The Sociological Imagination - An Introduction, from Conley's You May Ask Yourself (6th Ed.)

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Why are you in college? Did the people around you, including friends and family, expect you to go to college? Do you think this is the same for everyone? Why or why not?

[avagoodman]

I am not in college yet, but I am taking college courses. I am taking these courses because they were recommended to me and I thought that it would be a great opportunity to push myself academically. My family did set an expectation that this college course program would be best for me. While my friends didn’t fully expect to me to take the college courses they were happy to hear I was. I think every persons life has different expectations. For example, someone could be apart of a family where going to college is a rarity or others could be forced to go to college to continue generations of college degrees in a family tree. I think this because everyone is surrounded by others with different economic statuses and expectations of what success truly looks like.

[myacreatesstuff]

I am in College because, all my life I've learned that to be successful and get a good job you need to go to college. I originally learned this from my parents and in school. Even towards highschool most of your counselor visits those four years were about your plans on what college you want to go to and what you want to do with your life. Some of my friends would also talk about college all of the time and even would have their days planned on going to college tours. I never understood this and it almost seemed to some people that college was more important than their careers. I always thought that you'll never be able to get a good job and make a good amount of money without a degree.

[ryleeberger]

I am in college because of the formal education and networking opportunities it will give me. I also have always loved to learn and that value is the reason I would probably be in college regardless of what future career path I wanted. I was also raised in an environment where college was the expectation and the norm, and it felt like the next natural step for the path that I was on. It was a combination of external pressures and intrinsic drive that pushed me to further my education in college.

[EmilyDel]

I am in college because I think it will benefit me in the long run. It will not only help me in the process of getting a good job but college helps you mature in the sense of living on your own and having to do things yourself. I always wanted to go to college and I thin it was pretty expected of me by my family to go. I believe everyone is different. Everyone has their own way of pursuing there goals and whatever works is up to them.

[kamariwilliams]

I am going to college for many reasons. For starters, while growing up college was always something that was spoken about in the house. Whether it was what do you want to study when you go to college or so and so went to college and became this. The list goes on, so for me college was just something that I felt like I had to do. Then when I got older college was something that I wanted to pursue for myself when I realized what I wanted to study. When I learned that I wanted to be a criminal justice major I wanted to make sure that I went through college in order to make the different connections with professors to further my career desires. I also wanted to have a stable job once I graduated and I figured that having a college degree was the only way to achieve that. But after doing a research paper my senior year of high school I learned that this idea of college isn’t the same for everyone. Some people decide to go to four year school or two year school or trade school or decided to not go out all. The options are different for everyone. Our ideas of college isn’t the same for everyone as we have different situations and desires. Some of us simply can’t afford college and others just don’t want to go. We have to be mindful of these big transitions in life as not everyone is thinking about it the same way. However I believe that at the end of the day it is up to us to decide what we do with the connections that we make and how we choose to apply them in the real world.

[laurenbondoc]

Although I am not in actual college, I chose to take this college course because I wanted to get a feel of college and what it could potentially be like before I attend. I do plan on going to college after I graduate high school, so taking this college course will show me what I can expect going into my first four years. The people around me do have a very big influence on the reason why I want to attend college. All of my advisors in life, whether it be my parents or my guidance counselors at school, have in some way taught me that going to college will result in a better chance of me getting a job and living a successful life. Seeing everyone in my family go to college and having it result in them being successful makes me wonder why I wouldn't go to college in the first place. Even though my family and friends expect me to go to college, I don't believe that is the case for everyone. Different people come from different backgrounds which results in everyone being on particular paths that they believe is right for futures. For someone who comes from a place where it's "normal" to graduate high school and not go to college, they will most likey stick to that same path as everyone surrounding them.

[adrienneunfreed]

I am going to college because I strive to not only pursue a successful career in a field that I admire but also to gain the opportunity to meet new people and create new connections. While societal pressures and family can have a part with college decisions, I personally felt either way that I wanted to go to college and receive an informative education. Making the choice to go to college varies for everyone and I am but one example of many decisions. As I stated previously, other individuals may be pressured or even forced by those around them, friends, family, or even societal expectations. On the other hand, there may be other people like me who are passionate about college and want to make the most out of it, both for the college experience to make new friends and to pave a path to a successful and enjoyable career.

[stevensentek]

I am in college because like many others on this thread, it was communicated that in order to be successful and have a great job that you don't hate - it is required to obtain a degree. However, my parents instilled in me that knowledge is power, and that with higher learning produces opportunities that they have never had. After graduating from high school, I went to trade school for cosmetology. After receiving my license and getting a job working in a salon, I came to not like the practice anymore and knew that it was not what I wanted to do as a career. After working within different school districts, the desire to become a teacher motivated me to enroll in college courses. While circumstances vary for everyone, I believe that in the current society that we live in order to obtain a full time/well paying job - a Bachelor's degree is the bare minimum to achieve that.

[jennifercarter]

I decided to attend college for a number of reasons, first, being apart of the first generation of college graduates in my family, if the first reason. I also decided to return to school at my age to show my 12-year-old son the importance of school and why it would benefit him in the long run if he puts his mind to it. Everyone expected me to go to college however did not show the support need for me to go and stay. Whether you decide to go to school, if you have mental health issues, or you're fighting an addiction; support plays a major role if absent. Many people may not admit it but I think a lot of people deal with the lack of support and feel like they can't make it without it.

[briiclark]

I am in college because I feel like it is the best option for me. I want to get a good job, and no one in my family has ever gone to college. My family did not expect me to go to college, nor did they encourage me too. But I have always wanted to go. Plus I love learning and bettering your education does no harm.

[briandonahue]

I am in college because where I grew up that was just what everyone does, it was not much of a question, the bigger questions was "where are you going to college". Yes, my family also expected me to go to college, I am also a triplet and my sister followed the same path. College is different for everyone, my mom went to school for nursing and now is in business, my dad went to school at night for ten years to get his degree, one of my sister transferred schools after freshman year, and after my fall semester junior year I dropped down to being a part time student so I can continue being an overnight manager. Everyone's adventure through college is different based on what may be best or affordable for them.

[alexiscarlos]

I am in college because I have goals to get very far in life. In my opinion, I feel as though in order to obtain my career dream, I must attend college and learn all of the aspects of my career field. My family always expected me to go to college because they believe that in order to be successful in life, achieving high education is top priority. However, for some people their family members, the people around them, or even themselves may have a different viewpoint. They may feel as though that you do not have to go to college to be successful, which is also true. People can be successful by being public figures or even by being an entrepreneur. The ball is in your court when conceding your future!

[beaucheney]

I am in college for a few reasons. For one, I know it will benefit me in the future, but more importantly, I do want to further my education. I also want to prove to myself that I can do it. College is no easy journey and I have failed once before. I have to learn not to beat myself because of my failures and instead see them as lessons to learn from. My parents have been nothing but supportive and I owe any future success to them.

[jennifermenchu]

I am in college because I just felt like it was right for me. I knew I could get more options through college. I wanted to not only make myself proud but my parents as well since they did not go to college. My parents wanted me to go to college and expected me to go to college. I don't believe that everyone has the same experience. Even though I choose to go to college I encourage everyone to do what's best for m them and what will make them happy.

[pearlemccray]

I am in college to get my associate’s degree in business studies. I hope that I can get a better position when I graduate. I want to make more money to support my family. It was a surprise to my family and friends because of me going to college at my age, but everyone has been supportive. They are always telling me how proud they are of me. No, I do not think it is the same for everyone. People have different situations in life, and they do not have anybody behind them telling them they can do this. Encouragement goes a long way.

[bellapuso]

I am in college because I realized what I wanted my career path to be early on. I knew that I had to do something that made me happy. I am an elementary education major because I have a job in the summer as a camp counselor, working with children. There is no better place I would rather spend my summers. My family and my friends knew what I wanted to do and were supportive as they always are, but if I decided that college wasn't going to benefit me and I wanted to look into other career paths they would support me no matter what. I don't think this is the same for everyone because college is commonly seen as the only way to succeed in life and to make money.

[colecifrodelli]

Though I am not in college I am taking MCCC Dual Enrollment because I feel like this will help me to prepare for college which I plan on going to. This Sociology and Criminal Justice course will give me a better idea of what college would be like. The people around me have definitely influenced my decision to go to college. Most of my family and friends have always expected me to go to college because they did too. In a slightly different case, my mom did not go and always wished she did so is probably the strongest push. I do believe that in most situations most people will find themselves being influenced by friends and family for one of these reasons or another. I think this because throughout my life I've always heard parents ask all my friends questions about college. With this being said I'm sure this isn't the case for absolutely everyone as some do not have the means to go to college or just feel they are better off going right to work.

[hyunelovs]

I chose to be in a dual enrollment program because I wanted to advance my learning journey. I can choose classes that fit my interests and satisfy my desires. My family expects me to go to college or university because to them, if you aren’t well-educated in this country, you won’t succeed. Being a part of the first generation of my family in the US had molded me into someone who is ambitious and takes advantage of the surrounding opportunities. For example, my brother was accepted into Princeton University in 2019. He is the first person in my family to attend university. Getting into an ivy league university is a big accomplishment not only for him but for my parents, who supported him in any way they could. I want to be someone who my family is proud of, and getting into an ivy or a prestigious university/college is what I want. As I am now a junior in high school, I have to start building my list of universities or colleges that I want to attend in the near future. Of course, this is not the same for everyone due to financial problems, not having a strong support system in their lives, or just not enjoying school.

[Callmeniypls]

Iniatially when I first signed up for college it was for the liking of family and friends. I am a 3rd generation college student, my grandmother graduated from TCNJ and my father graduated from Central Michigan University. I feel like there was a lot of pressure put on me due to the fact that I had family members that achieved great success by going to school. Now I am in school for myself because I understand that others may have high hopes for your education however if you are not in it for yourself you will not be successful. Personally I feel like it is different for everyone. Some families are more pushy when it comes to the topic of college whereas others may be more laid back. In my opinion, it all depends on your upbringing and each families fundamentals.

[tamyahmcneil]

I am in college because everyone around me including family and friends made it seem like the only option. Not only was I expected to go to college because of how well I did in high school, but I was also brought up to think that in order to be successful you HAVE to go to college. However, I think everyone has it differently. Some of the people in my high school had expressed that they were not interested in going to college and that they knew they would be wasting money because they would not take it seriously. We even had a service learning project to encourage not going to college and finding jobs that would make you successful without college, therefore I know a lot of people do not really have that peer pressure that makes them attend. Some people are even brought up without parents and finding ways to cope on their own and no one tells them that college is the right way to go.