10 Reasons to Get a College Degree

[Pages:9]10 Reasons to Get a College Degree

A College Degree Can Offer a Lifetime of Benefits

Being in college is hard in many ways: financially, academically, personally, socially, intellectually, and physically. And most students question why they are trying to get a college degree at some point during their college experience. Simple reminders of the reasons why you want to get a college degree can help keep you on track when you feel like getting off.

Tangible Reasons to Get a College Degree

1. You'll make more money: figures range from several hundred thousand to a million dollars or more over your lifetime. Regardless of the details, however, you'll have more income.

2. You'll have a lifetime of increased opportunities. More job openings, more chances at promotions, and more flexibility with which jobs you take (and keep) are just a few of the doors that will be opened when you have your degree in hand.

3. You'll be more empowered as an agent in your own life. You'll be better educated about the things that have an impact on your day-to-day existence: knowing how to read a lease, having an understanding of how the markets will influence your retirement accounts, and handling the finances of your family. A college education can empower you in all kinds of ways to be more in control of your life's logistics.

4. You'll be better able to weather adversity. From having more money available (see #1 in this list!) in a savings account to having marketable skills and an education during an economic downturn, having a degree can come in handy when life throws you a curve.

5. You'll always be marketable. Having a college degree is becoming increasingly important in the job market. Consequently, having a degree now will open doors for the future, which will in turn open more doors and make you more marketable later ... and the cycle continues.

Intangible Reasons to Get a College Degree

1. You'll lead a more examined life. The critical thinking and reasoning skills you learn in college will stay with you for a lifetime.

2. You can be an agent of change for others. Many social service positions, from doctor and lawyer to teacher and scientist, require a college degree (if not a graduate degree). Being able to help others means you have to educate yourself to do so through your time in school.

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3. You'll have more access to resources. In addition to the financial resources you'll have access to through your higher income; you'll also have resources in all kinds of unexpected and intangible ways. Your roommate from freshman year who is now an attorney, your friend from chemistry class who is now a doctor, and the person you met at the alumni mixer who may offer you a job next week are the kinds of benefits and resources that are hard to plan for -- but that can make all the difference in the world.

4. You'll have future opportunities in ways you may not be considering now. When you graduate from college, you may have never even given a second thought to graduate school. But as you get older, you may unexpectedly develop a strong interest in medicine, law, or education. Having that undergraduate degree already under your belt will allow you to pursue your dreams once you realize where they are going.

5. You'll have a strong sense of pride and self. You may be the first person in your family to graduate from college or you may come from a long line of graduates. Either way, knowing you earned your degree will undoubtedly give a lifetime of pride to yourself, your family, and your friends.

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Graduates and Society Gain Intangible Benefits from College Education

By Kingsley Banya, Ph.D.

Guest Writer

Why is a college education important?

At face value, that appears to be a simple question to answer. More opportunities, better job security and advanced critical-thinking skills are just a few of the advantages college graduates enjoy due to their two- or four-year degrees.

But in today's ever-changing world what appears to be simple, oftentimes ends up being convoluted by outside forces, such as our stagnant national economy. Thanks to this era of tight credit and high unemployment, some people are beginning to doubt the value and benefits of a college education. In doing so, many people are shortchanging their future for the here and now.

One of the major benefits of the college experience is the intangible impact college educated individuals have in our society. The cultural enrichment that occurs from interacting with sundry individuals from all over the world is immeasurable. In today's multicultural and complex world, understanding the cultures of other nations and individuals is invaluable. Many of society's prejudices and stereotypes come from the lack of understanding of other cultures and how that impacts behavior at global, national and individual levels. President Obama's meeting with the Emperor of Japan and the fallout is instructive of cultural differences at a global level.

The appreciation of a work of art, a painting and, yes, a piece of music is a byproduct of culture. College endeavors to teach students to appreciate these cultural artifacts in addition to whatever field of study a student may be interested in studying. For more than 87 years, Misericordia University has been imbuing in its students a sense of service to others. This effort has been recognized by President Obama who acknowledged the work of the university by naming it to the 2010 President's Higher Education Community Honor Roll. Misericordia has been on the President's Honor Roll four straight years and this year received a "With Distinction'' designation, an honor given to only a few colleges in the county. Examples of service to others abound at Misericordia. Many of our academic classes have service-learning components to them. As someone who teaches one of these

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classes, I can tell you that my students have gained valuable insights into different cultures from their work at public schools in the region as after-school tutors.

Comments from them have indicated that their introduction to new cultures has been the highlight of their college experience. Now prepared with cultural acumen, these students can contribute to society in a myriad of positive ways.

They will leave college as cultured individuals. One cannot put a price tag on such learning. These are the students who will eventually work for non-governmental organizations and community agencies because they take pride in helping others less fortunate in society. They are more likely to vote and participate in civic society, and for many of them, the environment will become a major concern.

Another aspect of the intangible impact of a college education is the camaraderie among students that is promoted through sports, club activities and other related outlets. Many residential colleges have athletic complexes and special activities for students that teach the value of teamwork, healthy living and leadership. These opportunities contribute to making society more productive, help to reduce health care costs and also produce more well-rounded individuals.

The concept of lifelong learning that society is promoting is best exemplified in a collegiate setting. The chances are that a good number of college graduates will continue to want to learn during their lifetime. Having been exposed to the joy and beauty of learning and the possibilities that follow, college graduates will not be content with their current knowledge and skill set. More and more people are returning to college - not necessarily to get a degree - but to learn new skills and improve on their hobbies or interests, be it painting or their appreciation of music.

These are by-products of a college education that cannot be easily quantified financially.

Kingsley Banya, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of Teacher Education at Misericordia University in Dallas.

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Ten Great Reasons to Get a College Degree

Why Get a Degree?

You've probably heard that before from your friends and colleagues. College can be expensive, difficult, and time consuming. Many are tempted to quit, or never start. It's true getting a degree can be overwhelming, but earning a degree is one of the best things you can do for yourself, as there are many great reasons to get a college degree.

1. You'll be much more desirable to employers.

In today's market, a degree is more valuable than ever. Having a degree is necessary when applying for many jobs, and most employers expect their employees to be college graduates.

2. You'll make lifelong connections.

The people you'll meet in college are on the path to creating their own successful futures. This can open the door to job opportunities, investment options, and wonderful friendships that will serve you for your entire life.

3. You'll have more opportunities available to you.

With a degree, you'll have many more careers to choose from, which will give you more freedom. You'll also stand out from others as promotable, increasing your career success.

4. You'll discover more possibilities for your future.

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While in college, you might find there's a subject you'd like to pursue; this might lead you to graduate school, or to a career path you didn't realize you were interested in.

5. You'll make considerably more money.

Having a degree dramatically increases your earning potential. Some estimates put lifetime earnings at one million dollars more for those with bachelor's degrees compared to high school diplomas.

6. You'll develop critical thinking skills.

In college, you'll learn to think more consciously. In-class debates and assignments will expose you to new ideas, and will teach you lessons that will last a lifetime. Apart from being a wise career move, college can be a huge step in personal growth.

7. You'll have more control over your life.

With a college degree, you'll be able to choose from more career paths, cities to live in, and specializations. This will allow you to live a life that is more personalized than if you only had a high school diploma.

8. You'll be in a position to have an impact on the world.

Going to college creates awareness about issues, which you might find interest you. Positions that can offer help to others typically require a considerable amount of college, which offers you valuable, professional training.

9. You'll hold up better during recessions.

Having a degree makes you more likely to maintain employment during a recession. Even if you lose your job, those with college educations are more likely to be picked up by new employers.

10. You'll achieve a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

Earning your college degree creates a powerful sense of personal pride. You'll always be satisfied with what you've accomplished, and it will offer a great selfesteem boost. That answers the question of "why get a degree?" The benefits of having one should outweigh any doubts or fears you may have, so next time you feel like college is more work than it's worth, remember these great reasons to follow through, and change your life for the better with a college degree.

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8 Reasons You Should Get a College Degree

I recently wrote two articles about the top 15 college degrees by starting salary and the top 10 college degrees by demand. On the face, it seems that those two articles are reason enough to get a college degree. However, those two articles only apply to a minority of college degree holders. If you find yourself getting a degree that is on one of those two lists, you are one step ahead of the game. But for everyone else, what are other major motivators behind getting a college education? 8 Reasons to Get a Degree If the fact that your college education is in demand or that you will get a high starting salary isn't enough to persuade you, here are some more reasons. 1) Lifetime Earnings According to the Census Bureau, over the average Adult's working life a high school graduate will earn $1.2 million, an associate degree holder will earn $1.6 million, a bachelors degree holder will earn $2.1 million, and a masters degree holder will earn $2.5 million. Someone with a four-year college degree will earn almost twice as much! Source: "The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of WorkLife Earnings" This will have a huge impact on your retirement opportunities and your day to day living.

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Obviously some people will anecdotally have proof that some high school graduate they know makes $150,000 every year. However, these are anecdotes and are considered the exception to the rule. The numbers don't lie. A degree will increase your earning potential.

2) Job Security

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), "Education pays in higher earnings and lower unemployment rates." In 2008, the BLS reported an unemployment rate of 2% for people with doctoral degrees, 2.4% for people with master's degrees, and 2.8% for people with bachelor's degrees, 3.7% for people with an associate's degree, and 5.7% for people with a high school diploma. These statistics are about a year dated, but still prove a point.

Source: "Education Pays ..."

Having only a high school diploma seems to double your chances of facing the unemployment line.

3) Total Compensation

On top of your salary, which is just part of your total compensation, you will get a bunch of other fringe benefits such as:

Career training Vacation time and other paid time off (PTO) Health/Dental/Vision insurance Improved working conditions Greater professional mobility

The total compensation package will open your doors to success in the future.

4) Healthcare

The College Board has reported demographic statistics for college graduates based on research from the American Cancer Society. People with college degrees have a longer life expectancy and lower risk of obesity and heart disease. This is likely due to the fact that other studies have shown that college graduates have greater access to health care, better dietary habits, and lower rates of smoking. The more routine checkups people get and less at-risk behaviors they participate in, the earlier they will catch serious problems.

5) Successful Children

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