When you start planning your career and future, is a college degree part of the equation? Do you believe that a college education is worth the time, effort and money involved or are you one of those that think a college degree is just a piece of paper that counts for little in the real world?
Over the years, the job market has changed drastically. As technology revolutionizes the world around us, employers today look for a certain level of expertise that can be guaranteed only through a college degree. As traditional classrooms give way to online education, the opportunities for education has increased, while companies and businesses have begun to leave training and certifications to colleges and universities instead of resorting to internal programs. Thus, applying even for an entry level job nowadays demands a certain level of qualification.
A college degree is always an advantage in today’s job market. It is no secret that the numbers of jobs available for graduates with a college degree go more with attractive salary packages and benefits. Previously, jobs existed that did not demand a college education such as industrial jobs or those that required a specific trade or skilled labor. However, these same industries now need a smaller workforce because of technological advances and a college degree becomes a huge advantage for these jobs. And even if your career or job choice does not insist on a specialized college degree, employers often tend to seek a resume with a college degree over one with only a high school education.
Jobs seekers with a college degree earn higher salaries as seen in several surveys that indicate that the median salary of employees with a bachelor’s degree is more than 60 percent higher than that of employees with a high school degree. For those jobs that do not demand higher education there are often have fewer benefits. These jobs rarely provide health insurance or retirement benefits and affect long term financial security and the stability. The career growth is also hampered with a lack of a degree and when these same people have returned to school to complete their education, the difference in attitude by their employers is marked.
College students have a wide variety of options and specializations to choose from. Right from business degree programs with a scientific slant to graphic arts programs that include software technology, students are now aware of many subjects and fields that they never would have considered without going to college. Apart from the basic courses such as math, languages and sciences, electives are also required and students often take a course that appeals to them and may then find out that they in fact have a talent for the subject that can translate into a potential career. College education has also opened up a number of careers and fields that were not even heard of a few years ago. With the options, students now have a staggering array to choose from and a choice that appeals to both their interests and abilities.
It is true that colleges and universities of today carry a heavy price tag along with them but this should not discourage anyone from obtaining a college education. Remember, as the cost of tuition increases, so do the financial aid options available and students should explore all avenues of assistance to ensure that the college degree program becomes a part of their future. After all, along with increasing one’s earning potential and promotion potential, the most important improvement occurs with one’s self-image. A college education gives one a sense of accomplishment and confidence that may be just what is needed in your professional and personal life.
