Is College Worth It?

HENRIETTA, N.Y- With rising costs in college tuition, alternative paths are rising in popularity in the city of Rochester.

In a world where college degrees often take center stage, the appeal of finding a career straight out of high school is gaining popularity. 26% of people in the Rochester City School district are below the poverty line, which is 14.5% above the national poverty rate in 2022 at 11.5%. This means that for every 50 people, 13 are below the poverty line. The per capita income for the city is $29,104 according to the census bureau, making affording college without a scholarship or financial aid a struggle for families. This poses an interesting question: is there really a need to go into debt when you could join a union or capitalize on more rewarding skill sets?

Mike Mitchell is a resident of Rochester looking for different opportunities after high school. He is about to graduate from Wilson Magnet High School, where he is a student athlete, balancing academics and sports. Mitchell has dreams of playing in the NBA, keeping him motivated.

He says, “I never doubt myself. I always push myself, even in practice, I always push myself to be better.”

He has plans to attend Rocktop Academy, a preparatory school in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. His main focus will be playing basketball for the team while he improves his skills. He sees Rocktop Academy as a stepping stone into a more fulfilling career, without the need of rigorous academics. Mitchell is one of many graduating seniors in the area focusing on something that can be achieved without academics.

Mike Mitchell, 18,  looks upward towards the scoreboard while listening to music at a basketball game on Dec 19, 2023. (Photo by Jess Kszos)

Jasminilla West, a barber at Creative Cuts on E. Ridge Road, didn't see college as an option. Her family did not make enough money to afford sending her. Looking at her situation, she had a couple options. She reported that her dream job was to join the military. Her dream kept her moving forward, coming to school when she didn’t believe it was for her. When the time came, she ultimately could not join due to mental and physical disadvantages. Looking towards education, she decided she wanted to cut hair. The local salon stylist class was full, but the barber class had spots open. Cutting men’s hair was not something she had considered doing before. Seeing this, she decided to go a non-traditional route, and become a barber.

“By 27, I will have my own barbershop, I will be making $100,000 a year. That is very much doable in five years” she remarked.

Jasminilla West, 22, cuts the hair of her apprentice at Creative Cuts on East Ridge Road, Rochester N.Y on March 26, 2024. (Photo by Mariella Santiago)

West began learning to become a barber in 2019 and finished her program, ready to enter the workforce. Upon her arrival, she was met by some criticism from her clients. Men were not used to having women cut their hair, and some were not even open to the idea. Despite this, she continued with the profession, eventually gaining a loyal clientele. West used to be shy, but when she started cutting hair, she reported that all of the doors opened up to her. Barber culture focuses heavily on talking to clients, it's how she gets people to come back. Communicating with people, she says, is something that other barbers don’t do. She now calls herself “the best female barber in Rochester.” She continues to learn new things throughout her career, teaching those who want to learn the art of being a barber, keeping her learning journey going outside of formal education.

Other trades, such as carpentry, welding or elevator construction, have apprenticeship programs where students can become professionals. The people who hold these positions sometimes make tens of thousands more dollars a year than their college-bound peers.

Al Rothfuss points and laughs at the area that Local 27 services in elevator maintenance in Rochester N.Y on March 21, 2024. (Photo by Mariella Santiago)

Al Rothfuss, Retired business manager of Local 27, started working as an elevator construction apprentice in 1986. He was a machinist for 10 years when he was laid off.

“I was looking for a job,” He said. “I had a couple buddies in the elevator business and they told me to go down to the local union to apply.”

Rothfuss also did not see college as an option, as he did not find interest in sitting in a classroom all day. Hearing good things about machinists, he decided to learn the trade. Upon being laid off, he searched for jobs elsewhere in Rochester, eventually stumbling on Local 27. There, he could apply the skills he learned to a more specialized trade. Slowly but surely, he climbed up the ranks, eventually earning the title of business manager, making more money than he ever had at his machinist job. As he grew older, he continued to teach his craft to those who, like him, flocked to the union for an opportunity to learn, without the large amount of money. Local 27 elevator construction classes are free to those who are willing to make it to classes, providing yet another option for those who cannot pursue higher education.

West, Mitchell and Rothfuss were all looking for something to pursue with their lives. Each individual wanted to make a name for themselves, and made certain choices that led them to paths that made sense for them. The three have much in common, but so much that sets them apart. Endless opportunities await for those who decide to go a non-traditional route. The cost of college is predicted to continue to rise, and with that, comes more and more people who are gravitating towards the workforce. For West, Mitchell and Rothfuss, debt wasn’t an option. A career path was.