The benefits of earning a college degree are well documented both personally and professionally. Considering social, financial, and cultural benefits, it is easy to see the huge difference a college degree can make in your life and career. But, today with the high unemployment rate, rising college tuition and increased automation technology, and others have left the majority wondering whether a college degree is worth pursuing.
Despite the several challenges thrown the way, a college degree remains of important than ever. Undoubtedly, a college degree is the smartest decision you could make to get benefitted in a multitude of ways. Yet, critical thinking and the ability to make an informed decision will help you choose the best institution and degree type to reap the most benefits.
If you are pondering over the value of a college degree, here we have answered the most common questions to help students make the right decision.
Why is a college degree important?
A college degree provides in-depth knowledge and skills in the preferred subject. These are further considered vital for pursuing a career of your choice. Besides academics, a college degree serves a plethora of benefits. That said, even the experiences you get to have in college help you. You get to meet new friends, explore your hidden interests, discover your passions, and enrich your life.
Should you get into a college degree and which program to choose?
Not all careers need a college degree but, earning one can give a cutting edge. It remains beneficial regardless of your career plans. Even the experiences and skills you learn at college help you in a multitude of areas of your life including your social and personal life.
However, at admission times, it is natural for students to feel a little confused over the plethora of academic programs offered at a college. To make an informed decision, it becomes critical to get an online consultation about the varied academic programs, and required academic writing skills to choose the best program as per your needs and skills. These are a few tips for students that will help them in making a smart back-to-school decision.
4 Top Reasons to Get a College Degree
1. Sharpen your skills
A college degree helps you to improve upon the skills you already have and discover other skills that you can learn in the process. All these skills will prove a strength for you. You can use the skills in different areas of your life; communication skills help in your job and interpersonal relationships, and technological skills are a must in some jobs.
2. Increased salary potential
As per a survey by the Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW), students with a college degree make an average of $2.8 million, or $70,000 per year throughout their careers. That said, it is clear that the chance of earning more money increases upon earning a college degree.
3. Boosts longer and healthier life
The Journal of the American Medical Association reveals that students with a 4-year college degree have longer life expectancy than the ones with a lower level of education. No matter how shocking you find it, a college education leads to a healthier and longer life which is backed up by research as well.
4. Networking opportunities
It is critical to build and maintain a professional network to achieve success. That said, a college degree gives you immense opportunities to network with the right people that have the potential to shape your future. The different job fairs, career development resources, mentors, and professors are gifts that aren’t available anywhere else.
Tips to make a smart back-to-school decision
Selecting the right institution and the degree type are two of the most crucial decisions a student has to make. What worries them the most are the cost, quality, and value derived from their decision. If you are concerned about this as well, read a few tips that ensure you are making a smart choice.
Make price comparisons
Never select an institution just because it offers the cheapest degree. At the same time, do adequate research to ensure that you aren’t overpaying for the same degree type.
Go for a high-growth field
While some students are passionate about a subject or a specific field others are just searching for a degree type that has the potential to set them up for success and offers great employment opportunities. If you belong to the second category, you must check out Bureau of Labor Statistics listings. It gives you insights into potential careers and their growth rates along with the degrees required to pursue them.
Endnote
While earning a college degree is a huge commitment in itself, the rewards are plenty and worth it all. From a brighter economic future to more job opportunities, and personal fulfillment, a college degree acquisition can help you with a plethora of benefits. In addition, keep in mind to prepare yourself well in advance to face this increasingly competitive job market and to turn a college degree into a winning proposition.