Earn more money. Feel empowered as you discover new talents. Have higher job satisfaction.
These are a few of the great things you can look forward to from starting (or finishing) your education. There is no time better than the present to earn a degree. In our computer technology day and age, and with the economy continually improving, it’s more important than ever to earn a college education. More and more low education jobs like cashiers and factory lines are being taken over by automation, causing a need for more people to attain higher education and skills to stay relevant in the workforce.
Janet Yellen, the Federal Reserve chair gave a compelling speech at the University of Boston about this topic. The job market is the most robust it has been since 2007, college graduates earnings were 70% higher than workers with only high school diplomas, and there may be new economic policies coming into place that make it easier to study at a university level. Not only is it easier than ever to get a degree, it’s more beneficial than ever as well. We’ve polled students and asked experts everywhere, and the results are in: there are countless benefits to earning a degree! Below are five of our favorites.
- Benefits. Obviously salaries and pay rates are higher for jobs which require college degrees, but beyond just hourly rates, you can feel wealthier with the benefits packages offered from full time jobs. Paid vacation and sick days, medical and dental insurance, and retirement plans are just a few of the perks that many employers offer.
- Higher Earning Potential. Speaking of money, did you know that college graduates earn much more money than high school graduates? On average, high school graduates earn around $30,000 per year. Upon completion of a bachelor degree, that average goes up to $50,000 per year, and higher level degrees bump the average up to nearly $70,000.
- More Opportunities. Many people worry that they will choose the “wrong” degree and end up wanting to do something different entirely. The truth is, many employers just like to see that you earned a degree in something because it shows you have dedication and finish projects. A degree can open up doors in your desired field of work, but it can also lead to gaining job experience in things you wouldn’t have considered before. You can expand your talents and learn exciting new things
- Connections. For many people, the colleagues and friends they meet in college become their lifelong support system. Professors can become mentors for you in your professional field or help write killer letters of recommendation for future job moves. Classmates can add to your professional social network and be your eyes on the ground. The more motivated and successful people you surround yourself with in life, the more motivated and successful you will be.
- Security. On average, college graduates do better during times of economic instability. That’s right. Even when unemployment rates are high, college grads are better able to find and keep jobs than their undereducated counterparts. While we can’t guarantee you’ll never lose a job, it is comforting to know the statistics say you’ll fare better than you would without a degree.
