A College Degree in the Eyes of Modern Society
If you’re a recent high school graduate, I’m sure you remember meeting with your guidance counselor about college. For students that did not know what they wanted to do or if they were even going, it was probably a topic they hated talking about. Realistically, the question about going college is fading out. Looking back at my own senior year, I remember the pressure that was put on all my classmates to just go to college regardless if you even knew what you wanted to study. Previously, life without a college degree was plausible seemingly being more of a choice. With changing times, it is more necessary than ever to have a college degree.
There are over a dozen benefits to a college degree. One major benefit is receiving a higher earning potential. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says there is “a strong correlation between degree level and earning potential.” According to the Georgetown University Center on Education, individuals that only finish high school will earn about $1.3 million dollars in a lifetime. Going to school for two more years turns that number into $1.7 million dollars. A bachelor’s degree may help you earn about $2.3 million. Going to school for four years can result in making “an extra one million dollars in a lifetime.” Besides a higher earning potential, a college degree opens doors for more job opportunities, job stability, and satisfaction.
As stated by Rachel Beckstead-College Atlas, College students get professional networking opportunities inaccessible to those who don’t go to college. Networking is very important, especially to those who are looking for a job. Also, a college degree makes a person more accessible to “lucrative career options.” High school graduates generally apply to entry-level positions. While a bachelor’s degree can make you qualified for a higher entry salary and upper-level career positions.
Throughout college students are taught to think critically and analyze data better. Students are not going to remember everything they were taught in school, but they do have “the ability to make better choices.” As well as the discipline to see a task through from beginning to end. These are “two very attractive qualities to see in a potential employee.” Written and verbal communion skills are also improved to those that have a college degree. In Americas’ competitive job market, employers want the best of the best. Having a college degree will put you over another candidate by far.
With the growing job market, employers want skilled employees.
A large and growing share of future jobs will require college-educated workers. Sufficient public investment in higher education to keep quality high and tuition affordable… would help states develop the skilled and diverse workforce they will need to compete for these jobs- CBPP
A college degree benefits not only the graduate but the community as well. A community with a high population of college graduates boosts local economic development. A report in Education Pays 2013 that covers the benefits of higher learning for individuals and society, states that communities with the more residents that have a college degree has lower crime rates and attract “strong employers who pay their employee’s competitive wages.” In return, these communities have a higher percentage of active consumers constantly buying goods and services throughout the community. The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce have projected that by 2020 “nearly two-thirds of all jobs will require at least some college education, up 59% since 2007.” Thus, proving that the economic importance of higher education will continue to grow.
“Based on current trends — without significant new investment…the nation’s education system will not keep pace with the rising demand for educated workers. By 2020, the country’s system of higher education will produce 5 million fewer college graduates than the labor market will need.”-CBPP
Students are not seeing the benefits that a degree will provide them because of the cost. Fortunately, more and more states are starting to reinvest in higher learning. Read Where To Start (Next) to see which states.
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