FROM THE MARGINS:

I’ve been working with a private college, Mt. Sierra College in Monrovia, for the last 2 1/2 years. For the first two years, my involvement was consulting on marketing. For the last six months, however, I’ve been immersed in admissions as the department’s director.

I wear the marketing hat as well.

It’s been an interesting and challenging period in my life. I’ve probably learned more about life and people during this time than any other. I’ve been exposed to different personalities, a cross section of cultural backgrounds, as well as students and colleagues in different age groups.

The students have also been a refreshing source of information. They come from diverse backgrounds. There are students whose families have lived in Southern California for generations, those who are first- or second-generation immigrants as well as international students. Then there are those who are fresh out of high school. Their objectives and viewpoints are in stark contrast to those who are working adults with families.

During my time at the college, I’ve also come across Marines and U.S. soldiers who had returned from their military assignments in Iraq and were ready to take advantage of their well-deserved GI Bill. Their stories have given me a greater perspective on life.

The educational choices available are often as diverse as the population of potential students. And diversity is no longer confined to the programs offered, but the mode of education. Many institutions now offer online classes and programs, making getting a degree even more accessible to a wider audience.

There are now many different modes of attaining a degree. If you want to commit to a few years of focused education, there are small private colleges. If you want to take baby steps, then there are the community and city colleges. Traditional universities also remain a good choice.

If the pursuit of a degree is not put in your mind from young age, it is sometimes difficult to justify the value and cost of education. Here in Southern California, there are so many opportunities for people to make a good living without having to sit in a single classroom, that skipping college can be quite tempting.

After all, not all successful business owners have a business degree. Not all good artists have a formal education in the arts, and not all wise individuals have a degree framed on their walls.

Yet, a college experience is as much a path for socialization from teenage years to adulthood, as it is a place to amass knowledge. It can also be a place where individuals can improve their chances of building the groundwork for a secure future.

The U.S. Census Bureau in 2004 calculated that the average college graduate earned $27,800 more per year, than the average high school graduate. This adds up to more than $1 million over a lifetime. Education is proven to be essential for success in the working world.

The possibility of success is not limited to people with bachelors degrees.

As Vahe Peroomian, vice president of Glendale Community College Board of Trustees, has said, “Success is not only reserved for those who attain a bachelors degree. Those who pursue vocational training or certificate programs can also benefit from increased productivity and skill levels.”

Regardless of statistics, for many youngsters there are real dilemmas when it comes to attending college. Should they enter the job market immediately after high school and enjoy independence, or bite the bullet for a few years, incur student loans and pursue an education?

Success and productivity are not always measured in dollars and cents. This is especially true in the beginning stages of a career.

“Those entering the work force immediately after high school, find themselves alone in facing the daunting job market,” Peroomian said. “While students who attend college benefit from the social network of their peers and classmates even post-graduation.”

Indeed, college is where socialization can take an accelerated rate. It is a place where myths are shattered, tidbits of information become comprehensive volumes of knowledge, sloppy teenagers have a chance of becoming organized adults, and dependent kids learn to survive without the direct involvement of their parents.

It is also an arena where we come to meet a sampling of the population outside our isolated subcommunities.

A college education may not be for everyone, but it has many quantifiable benefits for anyone.

 PATRICK AZADIAN is a writer and the creative director of a local marketing and graphic design studio living in Glendale. He may be reached at respond@ fromthemargins.net.