How to Make Your College Years a Profitable Investment to Your Future
Photo by Vasily Koloda on Unsplash
Who would not want to invest about $20,000 and soon have it turned to $2 million! Thousands of individuals do it every year. Their lucrative investment strategy entails a four-year unwavering commitment to college and education. Their payoff starts with the receipt of that coveted college degree, opening the door to a full lifetime of hefty earnings that otherwise may not be possible to obtain.
Sure, there are plenty of naysayers who claim that a college degree just is not worthwhile any longer. With many dissenting opinions, you may find it difficult to decide if the benefits of getting a college education can justify the high costs.
That being said, data from a variety of reputable and well-known sources (like the Bureau of Labor Statistics and U.S. Census Bureau) indicates that students who have a college degree are more likely to enjoy a number of life-long benefits compared to individuals who do not have a college degree.
Here are some of the main benefits of attending college.
1. College Graduates Make More Money
It goes without saying that there are some exceptions to this rule; however, statistics indicate that college graduates tend to have a better earning potential compared to individuals with a high school diploma or no college education.
Actually, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median annual earnings of people who have a bachelor’s degree are nearly twice the amount earned by people who only have a high school diploma. This is a huge difference. Also, the U.S. Census Bureau research suggests that education level is the biggest and most important determining factor when it comes to earning potential, and earning potential rises considerably as education level increases.
2. College Graduates are Much More Attractive to Employers
Apart from field training, college education requires critical and analytical thinking, key organization skills, as well as the ability and dedication to see projects through from the start to finish. These skills and proficiencies qualify college graduates for a wide range of employment in different fields that provide more job openings, greater upward mobility with a lifetime of open doors.
In addition, employers know that college graduates tend to exhibit strong decision-making, a keen team-player attitude, communication and an inherent sense of self-discipline and direction in a professional environment.
In a lot of fields (such as engineering, education, finance, and healthcare), a bachelor’s degree is mandatory even for an entry-level position. Therefore, it is easy to see how a college degree can open up a whole vista of incredible opportunities that just would not be inaccessible otherwise. Also, the potential opportunities are greater for students who have graduate degrees.
3. Better Communication Skills
College graduates are more articulate. The reason is that college students are taught in-depth to write and speak effectively and clearly. These communication skills have far-reaching benefits for graduates that could improve almost all areas of their life.
People with strong and effective communication skills tend to do much better in job interviews, are an invaluable part of any professional group or team, and tend to enjoy healthier and more positive relationships with family and friends. Even those students who resort to services like CopyCrafter.net, which offers help in academic writing by conducting thorough research and practice. This can ease their burden and helps to find time to relax and inspiration for future achievements.
4. Happiness and Well-Being
There are far too many positive health effects of getting a college degree! At times, it is hard to know where to begin. First of all, the risk of depression is considerably reduced; college graduates have a higher drive to exercise. In addition, the risk of becoming obese or overweight or have obese kids is also reduced.
You will be glad to know that graduates are seventy percent less likely to have never smoked; moreover, around twenty percent are trying to quit or have already quit. College degree holders are 2.5 times more likely to cast a vote. Graduates also live, on average, nine to ten years longer compared to people who do not have a graduate degree.
And that is not all, graduates donate time and money to organizations more compared to those who have not sought out formal higher education, and help the youth and religious groups.
The implications of a college education are, thereby, quite stupendous. A college degree has the great potential to enhance not just your personal life, but also the well-being of your children, spouse, family, and even society in general.
Originally published at The Daily MBA.
