Since 1990, the average cost of going to a private school for four years has tripled, and the cost for state schools has risen 100%. The student debt level has soared over $1 trillion. These kinds of figures can give you pause about the value of finishing college. Add to that the recent articles saying that employers care more about skills than degrees, and you start to wonder. Is finishing college really worth the time and cost?
The answer is an emphatic “Yes!”
Degrees Bring Opportunities
Especially in today’s competitive marketplace, a college degree is required to get your foot in the door for more and more jobs. There are predictions that the U.S. will need more than 22 million college graduates to meet the growing demand for educated employees; at present rates, there won’t be enough. A college graduate is going to have more opportunities and will, on average, earn over one and a half million dollars more in lifetime earnings than someone with a high school diploma. Those who just go to some college and don’t get a degree don’t earn much more than a high school graduate, so actually finishing college can change your life.
Why Are Employers Looking for College Graduates?
Companies invest time and money in a new hire, so they want to know they will get a return on that investment. Employers are interested in more than the applicant having the skills to be qualified: they are interested in the qualities that make a good employee.
Here are 5 things that finishing college tells employers about you:
- You Are Hard Working. Finishing college takes dedication. By graduating, you show that you have the work ethic and desire to get the job done. Employers know that, while a degree isn’t the sign you know everything, it is a sign that you aren’t afraid of challenges and hard work.
- You Can Make Choices. Not only do you gain information with a college education, you learn how to analyze, solve problems, and think critically – traits employers highly value.
- You Have Communication Skills. Going to college exposes you to knowledge, lessons, and experiences you might not get otherwise. You learn how to interact with different people in different situations. In getting a college degree, you learn how to ask questions and find answers. Employers look for someone who can work with a team and exhibit leadership. Surveys have shown that if an applicant can think, speak, and write well, employers are willing to train them with specific job skills.
- You Know How to Plan and Prioritize. Many students juggle jobs, personal issues, family, and other matters while getting a degree. Finishing college shows that you have the ability to set a goal and have the tenacity to do what it takes to achieve it.
- You Will Be a Healthier, Happier Employee. Studies show those who have college degrees tend to make better health choices and live longer. Getting a college degree gives you a feeling of accomplishment and self-confidence. It doesn’t guarantee you’ll be happy at work, but the odds are greater that you will be working at something you enjoy and less likely to be in a dead-end job since you have more opportunities. These are valuable intangibles to employers. Healthy, happy, confident employees will be more productive.
Finish College With Less Stress
The longer it takes you to finish college, the more it costs in terms of finances and lost opportunities from not being a workplace applicant. At Achieve Test Prep, we can help you get your degree through an efficient, affordable system called credit by examination. This time-saving solution helps you test out of college courses while earning the same credits.
Contact us today to find out how Achieve’s college prep services can help you work towards your education goals and become someone employers are seeking.
