pursuing a college education essay

Being in college is hard in many ways: financially, academically, personally, socially, intellectually, 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 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. 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. 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. 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. 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 You'll lead a more examined life. The critical thinking and reasoning skills you learn in college.
During their high school career, students may begin to question the importance of a college education. They might find themselves asking, “Why is it important to go to college?” The answer is that, more than ever, attending college provides opportunities for graduates which are not as widespread to those who have not received a higher education. For many high school students, being able to immediately generate an income after graduation is an appealing thought. They may also be repelled by the rising cost of tuition, and while it is true that a higher education may be one of the largest expenses you will ever face, the importance of a college education has become quite evident in terms of earning potential within today’s economy. Why Should You go to College? One important answer to this question is more opportunity. As opposed to generations of the past, high school graduates today are unable to obtain the number of high-paying jobs that were once available. The U.S. has been transformed from a manufacturing-based economy to an economy based on knowledge, and the importance of a college education today can be compared to that of a high school education forty years ago. It serves as the gateway to better options and more opportunity. There are additional reasons as to why it is important to go to college. When students experience a post secondary education, they have the opportunity to read books and listen to the lectures of top experts in their fields. This stimulation encourages students to think, ask questions, and explore new ideas, which allows for additional growth and development and provides college graduates with an edge in the job market over those who have not experienced a higher education. The importance of a college education is also accentuated because of the opportunity to gain valuable resources during your tenure. The more connections which are.
There's at least one point on which you're absolutely right. The fact that everyone else is doing it is not a good reason to spend tens of thousands of dollars and four or five years of your life on a college education. God does not call us to that kind of mindless social conformity. Instead, He wants us to seek and obey His will. He wants us to follow His leading wherever He chooses to take us. There is no single one-size-fits-all plan that He expects everyone to adopt. To put it another way, college isn't necessarily for everyone. It has its advantages and disadvantages. A great deal depends on your personal inclinations, your outlook on life, and what you intend to do. For some-doctors, lawyers, teachers, lab technicians, or theologians-it's an indispensable part of professional training. For others-mechanics, commercial fishermen, carpenters, comic book artists, farmers, or law-enforcement officers-it's a far less important piece of the puzzle. Still others may view a university course primarily as a source of intellectual nourishment and an opportunity to gain rich cultural experience. You need to figure out where you fall along this continuum before deciding whether or not to continue your college career. Only you can make that choice. We suggest you do it from within a context of earnest prayer and a heartfelt desire to serve the Lord. That said, we should hasten to add that, from our perspective, a college education is well worth pursuing regardless of your occupational goals. A degree can open doors that won't be opened in any other way. Among other things, many employers regard it as proof that you're a responsible, hard-working individual. But this doesn't mean that a university is simply a glorified trade school. As we see it, there's an important sense in which higher education ought to be treasured for its own sake, quite apart from considerations of.
I’ve been thinking lately about the value of a college education. I earned a B.A. in Psychology from Willamette University in 1991 (with a minor in English Lit, and almost another minor in Speech Com). What have I done with this degree? Almost nothing. Yet I do not regret the money and years I spent working to earn it. The financial value of a college degree Does earning a college degree make a difference to your future? Absolutely. The facts are striking. On average, those who have a college degree earn almost twice as much as those who do not. According to the U.S. Census Bureau: Adults with advanced degrees earn four times more than those with less than a high school diploma. Workers 18 and older with a master’s, professional or doctoral degree earned an average of ,320 in 2006, while those with less than a high school diploma earned ,873. Workers with a bachelor’s degree earned an average of ,788 in 2006; those with a high school diploma earned ,071. This flurry of numbers makes more sense when viewed in a table: Education Avg. Income Increase Drop-out ,873 — High school ,071 48.9% College ,788 82.8% Advanced ,320 45.0% Completing college is huge. Over a life-time, a college degree is generally worth almost a million dollars. That’s money that can be used for saving, for fun, for whatever. The financial benefits of a college education are significant, and they’re very real. Other benefits of a college degree Obtaining a college degree isn’t just about making more money. According to Katharine Hansen at Quintessential Careers, a college education is associated with other benefits, such as: Longer life-spans Greater economic stability and security More prestigious employment and greater job satisfaction Less dependency on government assistance Greater participation in leisure and artistic activities Greater community service and leadership.
Why should I go to college? You must have asked yourself this question at one time and maybe you are right now. For starters, going to college opens a new chapter in your life, the beginning of new friendships, networking connections, and mostly, opportunities for individual and professional growth. As a college student you’ll be introduced to new areas of interest, broaden your vision of possibilities, establish and accomplish difficult goals, develop lifelong friendships and define yourself in ways that you cannot even imagine.The Financial Benefit of CollegeAfter looking at the price tag of many universities, it’s not surprising that many students ask themselves, why should I go to college? College, however, is a very sound investment when done with forethought and strategy. Research analysts and experts have concluded, based on sound statistical analysis, that college graduates with a bachelor’s degree earn up to 56% more per year than those with a high school diploma or its equivalent and 31% more than those with an associate degree. Attending and graduating from college with a degree in a growing and viable career field so you can gain a mastery of real-world skills and industry-relevant knowledge, will position you at the forefront of your field, and help you realize your career aspirations. Additionally, college degree holders can expect their real wage to increase over time while those with a high school diploma may experience a decline.The Bigger PictureWhen considering why you should go to college, it’s worth imagining what your life is going to be 10, 20 or even 30 years down the road – as overwhelming as that may seem. Where do you want to be today, tomorrow and in the future? Attending college will help you answer these questions, develop a realistic plan for accomplishing your goals, and equip you with the knowledge and skills you’ll need see your goals.
Home > Resources > College Prep > Preparing For College > Why Go To College Personal growth and expanded horizons If you go to college, you'll gain information and skills that you'll use for the rest of your life. That's reason enough to pursue an education beyond high school, but here are more practical considerations. Some benefits of extracurricular activities Have more job opportunitiesThe world is changing rapidly. More and more jobs require education beyond high school. College graduates have more jobs to choose from. Earn more moneyA person who goes to college usually earns more than a person who doesn't. On average, over a lifetime, someone who spends two years in college earns 0,000 more than someone who doesn't. That's a quarter of a million dollars more over a lifetime. Expand your knowledge baseA college education helps you acquire a range of knowledge in many subjects, as well as advanced knowledge in the specific subjects you're most interested in. It also increases your ability to think abstractly and critically, to express thoughts clearly in speech and in writing, and to make wise decisions. These skills are useful both on and off the job. Increase your potentialA college education can help increase your understanding of the community and the world as you explore interests, discover new areas of knowledge, and consider lifelong goals. Getting a college education is an investment that will pay back for a lifetime. People with a college education have better job opportunities, earn more money, and develop skills that can never be taken away. It Doesn't Have To Be A Four-Year College Consider attending a community college. Community colleges are public, two-year schools that provide an excellent education, whether you're considering an associate degree, a certificate program, technical training, or plan to continue your studies at a four-year.