The Benefits of Attaining a College Degree - Essay Example

Benefits of a College Degree In today’s society, acquiring a well paying job without a college degree is almost impossible. Those with a Bachelor’sdegree are said to make at least $1 million more in their lifetime than an individual who did not attend college. The purpose of this research paper is to discuss the benefits of attaining a college degree. Anyone working in a professional capacity will admit that this present economy is fiercely competitive. The only way to secure a well paying position or at least a place in line for one, is with a college degree in an area specific to the job being sought after. Not only is a minimum of a Bachelor’s degree required by most employers, but one achieved from a well known and reputable University is often preferred as well. Employers spend an average of about 10 seconds looking at a single resume. One of the first and foremost things that individuals in supervisory or managerial positions are trained to look at is highest level of college attended as well as whether or not a degree was obtained. College is not only a 4-10 year sentence which one needs to fulfill for time served, it is an experience which is critical to developing needed communication skills, budgeting time efficiently, developing networking skills, enhancing writing and creative skills and broadening one’s knowledge on just about everything. College also allows one to better understand the world as well as overall sociological issues. So many fields today require impeccable communication skills which college effectively equips one with. For example, if one wishes to develop a career in business, one must not only have the education to enable them in their field but also a keen ability to interact with individuals and communicate constructively. Individuals in sales almost always have to deal with the general public quite a bit. If one has not acquired skills to enable them to interact with people, they will surely fail at a career in business. Years ago, going to college was more of a luxury than a necessity. Many individuals came from families where the financial means to provide for a child to attend college was non existent. Today’s society offers government assistance through grants and loans for those who meet certain post high school standards, “Throughout high school and college parents and teachers stress to students the benefits of a college degree. And because obtaining a higher education is getting easier every year, it’s becoming possible for people of all walks of life to receive the benefits of a college degree”(Hughes 2006). Everyone has heard the term “time is money”. This is true in that employers do not have the time (or want to spend the money) to train people to do a particular job. Individuals who attend college are trained in specific fields and provided with hands on, up to date and practical information and skills which ready them for immediate employment after graduation, “The benefits of a college degree increase the higher your degree” (Hughes 06). If an individual has at least an associates degree (usually a 2 year program), that individual will statistically make 25% more a year than an individual without a degree performing the exact same job. In this day and age, most employers require that all of their employees have a college degree therefore limiting the job possibilities even farther for those who do not have a degree at all. Many individuals find themselves however, in a positing where their family brings in too much money for them to receive financial aid from the government but not enough money to send their kids to college. These individuals often find themselves starting out in the work force after high school at an entry level position. This means that they must work their way up the corporate ladder to attain any level of success. This can often take as long as 20 years. Someone with a college education however, may find themselves hired immediately for a position that another individual would have had to have worked towards for years due to no college degree, “With college tuition costs climbing at a record pace, many high school students must decide whether to invest in a college degree or dive right into an entry-level job. Whether driven by economics or personal preference, this decision can have a major impact on the course of your professional career as well as your personal life”(Worldwidelearn.com 2008). There is of course a lot to be said for those with extensive, on the job work experience but this is usually not considered an asset to someone unless it is a lengthy period of experience that they have to show for. In the long run, it is much less hassle and more cost efficient to simply get a college education. Often times, those who are in the middle where they cannot get financial aid due to parental income levels but are still not able to scrape up enough money for tuition, will actually work part time and pay their way through college. Others have found that military service is an excellent way to have one’s college degree paid for them. Having discussed the financial and employment benefits of college, it is important to discuss more deeply, the social and personal benefits of the college experience, “By devoting the time and commitment to the improvement of personal knowledge and intellectual fortification, you provide yourself with the tools to be a better employee, a better citizen, and a better all-around individual”(Woodcock 2001). Many college graduates have found that during college, they made lifetime friendships, long term business connections and possibly met their life partner or spouse. College is an excellent place to form connections because you are able to meet individuals who will be working with you or competing against you in your selected field. Ultimately, college allows individuals to learn the skills to work in a field that they love and that they excel in. Whether a person decides to go to college for 2 years, 4 years, 6 years or 10 years, the overall benefits to not only attaining a college degree but also acquiring the college experience, last a lifetime. Works Cited: Dohm, A. and Wyatt, I. (2002) “College at work: Outlook and earnings for college graduates“, 2000-10. Occupational Outlook Quarterly, 3-15. Hughes, Karen (2006) “Benefits of a College Degree”, retrieved 4 July, 2008 from website at: http://www.search- colleges.com/articles/12/1/Benefits-of- a-College-Degree Worldwidelearn.com, (2008) “Education Vs. Work Experience”, retrieved 4 July, 2008, from website at: http://www.worldwidelearn.com/online- education-guide/education-vs-experience.htm Woodcock, Mark (2001) “The Public and Social Benefits of a College Degree”, retrieved 4 July, 2008, from website at: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/education/article_545.shtml Read More