Essay Sample on College Degree: Essential for Successful Career & Adult Life

Introduction

Earning a college degree is usually an important step in an individual’s life and has become a fundamental component of the American Dream. People usually prefer to get an education, get a job, buy basic needs, and raise a family. It may not often be that simple; however, it all begins with a college education. Getting a college degree usually relates to opening up of opportunities in life. Such education prepares one, both socially and intellectually, for their career and adult life. The advantages of a college education incorporate career opportunities such as higher-skilled and better-paying jobs; some studies have revealed that it may also lead to overall stability and happiness. Several individuals know that they need to attend college, but do not know exactly why, or how it can or will enrich their lives. This paper explains how the effects of having a college degree influence individual’s income.

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Making More Money

Higher-income is a prime benefit of earning a college degree. However, numerous jobs that require a bachelor’s, professional, doctoral, or master’s degree tend to provide more benefits. Some of these benefits can include retirement investment, health care, travel, and other perks. These benefits are rarely given at high-school-level jobs.

For most individuals, making more money is mainly the driving force behind getting a college education. A post-secondary education, be it a bachelor’s, master’s degree or Ph.D., is the common route to jobs that require higher skills, thus offering higher pay. Horowitz (2018) noted that college graduates make significantly more income in their lifetime than their counterparts with only high school education.

According to Carnevale et al. (2011) and Selingo (2017), high school graduates generally earn an average of nearly $30,000 a year; bachelor’s graduates make an average of about $50,000 per year while those with a higher-level degree earn an average of around $70,000 a year; this translates to a notable earnings gap throughout one’s life.

Better Career Opportunities

Carnevale et al. (2011) reported that earning a college degree is a significant pathway to a better career. When joining a college, not everyone knows what they want to do after a college education. However, they always long for a better career, not only a job that will pay more but also for them to be more satisfied and secure. That combination of interests is why so several individuals invest money and time to go to college.

Often, it is not necessarily what an individual study, but the fact that one studied something. Apart from training in an expert or career field, college trains one to think analytically, understand complex issues, subjects, and communicate their critical ideas on such issues. It also instills vital skills like self-discipline, organization, and the ability to accomplish tasks from start to end. In other words, college education helps mold a person into a more professional individual.

Since college education provides one with a broad range of skills, numerous college graduates usually end up in the career fields they did not study in school. Therefore, a college education may open up unexpected career opportunities that are not readily there for individuals who have not earned a higher level of education.

In the modern economy, employment options decrease for individuals who only have a high school education or diploma. According to Abel and Deitz (2014), most high school graduates generally work in the service industries, in low-paying careers that may not offer advancement opportunities. On the contrary, college graduates tend to possess skills that may qualify them for a wide range of employment in fields that could enhance more upward mobility, thus increasing their income.

An Investment in the Future and Networking

Attending college may be a challenging commitment of money and time; however, it may also be a down payment upon success. Earning a college degree will assist one in realizing their goals in different careers and life in general. It needs a lot of hard work that prepares one for both challenging and rewarding careers and a more fruitful life with increased income.

It is natural to think of the privileges of a college education (degree) in future promotion opportunities and earnings. Nevertheless, what is spoken of less often is the role that networking may play in achieving these opportunities. Individuals get employment often based on recommendations made by friends or relatives; however, in some cases, having a professional network can enable a person to learn about upcoming career opportunities before others do; this will eventually offer them an increase in income.

Job Security and Satisfaction

Earning a post-secondary degree generally leads to better job security. It is much easier to replace a person with only a high school degree in any case of a push or layoff of workers. On the contrary, educated staff is usually important to some businesses that they may even pay for their tuition; this relates to how valuable a college degree can be. Horowitz (2018) refers to it as an investment that can yield substantial rewards not only to the worker but also to the organization.

Carnevale et al. (2011) showed that in an economic recession, people with college degrees are less vulnerable to layoffs. The individuals who suffer the most in case of job cuts are lower-level workers who only have high school diplomas. Although there are no guarantees, if one has a college degree, they will be less likely to experience long-term unemployment.

College graduates are also more likely to enjoy their job, including employment benefits, higher income, and advancement opportunities-lead to greater job satisfaction. A college degree may also give one more freedom to pursue a profession that interests them and even inspires them.

One of the most appreciated privileges of employees who work full-time includes health benefits. Such benefits usually save a worker thousands of dollars every year. Other employee benefits include paid sick and vacation days that may be included when determining how a college degree can impact salaries. Several companies will tend to match or contribute fully to workers, particularly in jobs where an individual holds a college degree.

Family health expenses are usually expensive; however, some careers provide health benefits for the employees and their families, especially those who have earned a college degree or higher education level. Salaries that incorporate perks such as health and transport benefits can mean better job satisfaction.

Conclusion

As evident, a college degree significantly increases a person’s employment prospects and earnings potential. College degree holders are likely to be employed compared to their peers who only hold a high school degree. They can gain additional earnings on average income over their lifetime. Therefore, collages, communities, organizations, policymakers, and the public should work together to improve the current systems to make the possibility of a college degree a reality for all.

References

Horowitz, J. (2018). Relative education and the advantage of a college degree. American sociological review, 83(4), 771-801.
https://doi.org/10.1177/0003122418785371

Selingo, J. J. (2017). Wanted: Factory workers, degree required. New York Times. https://www.nationalskillscoalition.org/news/latest/file/Wanted_-Factory-Workers-Degree-Required-The-New-York-Times.pdf.

Abel, J. R., & Deitz, R. (2014). Do the benefits of college still outweigh the costs?. Current Issues in Economics and Finance, 20(3).
https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2477864

Carnevale, A. P., Cheah, B., & Rose, S. J. (2011). The college pay off. https://vtechworks.lib.vt.edu/handle/10919/83051.