Back when I was a youngun, I was taught again and again to "go to college or else you will be living off the streets!", or something to that nature. However, is it really that important to attend college and to get a degree?

My cousin is extremely smart and graduated from college last year (with honors) with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. He interned for a year, then found an entry level job in his field. Great success right?! Well, turns out that the company did layoffs, so guess who got the cut, yeah he did. With his bright mind and all, his counselors/teachers/parents/etc encouraged him towards what he wanted to do, which was in engineering, and now my cousin can't even find work within his career field anymore, so he became a farmhand for my uncle and his family. The only thing is, my uncle doesn't owe a shitload of money to the government for student loans, etc. Is it really fair to my cousin who spent time getting a college degree to be making the same that my other cousins are, when my other cousins chose to not attend college? With the economy so bad, he can't find a job within his field anymore, simply because there are people halfway around the world that are willing to do what he does, except at below the US poverty level. Bluntly put, he got screwed.

The fact that many people to college makes the kids think they have a surefire shot to land a cushy job in whatever their degree allows them to do. However, students don't understand that college isn't about getting good grades. It's all about networking, getting yourself in the door, etc. My cousin firsthand realized that even with all of his college training, it couldn't prepare him lifelong eternal unemployment because it prepares you for an ideal world that doesn't exist. Sad, but true.

My question still stands, is it truely important to go to college? Many people chose not to, and still make a comfortable lifestyle for themselves. Do people go to college for the wrong reasons? Is there something wrong with our education system? Is there something wrong with Globalization?

I have brought up many great points for you all to discuss because I'm amazing irl and on tff, so please feel free to give your input.