A college degree is priceless — especially if you are from California and have that degree signed by the “Governator.”

However, today’s economy makes that piece of paper seem almost worthless. But I do have the Terminator’s autograph! Perhaps I should sell it on eBay.

Like many of my fellow graduates, I was another victim of that economy.

Day by day and week by week, it only seemed to get worse. Hundreds of applications remained unanswered.

For a while, I felt my bachelor’s degree was nothing more than a mere, worthless piece of paper. But I was wrong — that piece of paper opened up doors and opportunities. It gave me the tools I needed to be successful.

So before you start feeling depressed about school and the future, remember why you came to college in the first place.

And for those with parties on their noggins, think again. College is not a meat market.

Yes, that’s right, I’m talking about the REAL purpose of college.

So keep your heads in those books and study. The hard work will pay off.

Knowledge is a valuable tool that can shape lives and keep you out of your parents’ basement.

It certainly worked for me. As I said, education opened up doors and opportunities, even in this depressing economy.

My degree in journalism taught me how to refine my communication skills and to network. It presented me with career opportunities and experiences I would have never thought were possible. It changed my outlook on life.

Without those communication and networking skills, I never would have worked in a political office or served as an appointed park and recreation commissioner.

The gloomy economy reminded me just how valuable my degree is. And with the Terminator’s autograph, it is priceless. But I still needed to make myself more marketable. But how?

That’s when I remembered those famous words “I’ll be back” and went back to school — this time to learn how to teach.