10 Reasons to Get a College Degree - A College Degree Can Offer a Lifetime of Benefits

10 Reasons to Get a College Degree
A College Degree Can Offer a Lifetime of Benefits
Being in college is hard in many ways: financially, academically, personally,
socially, intellectually, and 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

   1. 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.
   2. 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.
   3. 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.
   4. 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.
   5. 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

   1. You'll lead a more examined life. The critical thinking and reasoning
      skills you learn in college will stay with you for a lifetime.
   2. You can be an agent of change for others. Many social service positions,
      from doctor and lawyer to teacher and scientist, require a college degree (if
      not a graduate degree). Being able to help others means you have to educate
      yourself to do so through your time in school.

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3. You'll have more access to resources. In addition to the financial
   resources you'll have access to through your higher income; you'll also have
   resources in all kinds of unexpected and intangible ways. Your roommate
   from freshman year who is now an attorney, your friend from chemistry class
   who is now a doctor, and the person you met at the alumni mixer who may
   offer you a job next week are the kinds of benefits and resources that are
   hard to plan for -- but that can make all the difference in the world.
4. You'll have future opportunities in ways you may not be considering
   now. When you graduate from college, you may have never even given a
   second thought to graduate school. But as you get older, you may
   unexpectedly develop a strong interest in medicine, law, or education. Having
   that undergraduate degree already under your belt will allow you to pursue
   your dreams once you realize where they are going.
5. You'll have a strong sense of pride and self. You may be the first person
   in your family to graduate from college or you may come from a long line of
   graduates. Either way, knowing you earned your degree will undoubtedly
   give a lifetime of pride to yourself, your family, and your friends.

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Graduates and Society Gain
Intangible Benefits from College
Education
By Kingsley Banya, Ph.D.

Guest Writer

Why is a college education important?

At face value, that appears to be a simple question to answer. More opportunities,
better job security and advanced critical-thinking skills are just a few of the
advantages college graduates enjoy due to their two- or four-year degrees.

But in today's ever-changing world what appears to be simple, oftentimes ends up
being convoluted by outside forces, such as our stagnant national economy. Thanks
to this era of tight credit and high unemployment, some people are beginning to
doubt the value and benefits of a college education. In doing so, many people are
shortchanging their future for the here and now.

One of the major benefits of the college experience is the intangible impact college
educated individuals have in our society. The cultural enrichment that occurs from
interacting with sundry individuals from all over the world is immeasurable. In
today's multicultural and complex world, understanding the cultures of other
nations and individuals is invaluable. Many of society's prejudices and stereotypes
come from the lack of understanding of other cultures and how that impacts
behavior at global, national and individual levels. President Obama's meeting with
the Emperor of Japan and the fallout is instructive of cultural differences at a
global level.

The appreciation of a work of art, a painting and, yes, a piece of music is a by-
product of culture. College endeavors to teach students to appreciate these cultural
artifacts in addition to whatever field of study a student may be interested in
studying. For more than 87 years, Misericordia University has been imbuing in its
students a sense of service to others. This effort has been recognized by President
Obama who acknowledged the work of the university by naming it to the 2010
President's Higher Education Community Honor Roll. Misericordia has been on the
President's Honor Roll four straight years and this year received a "With
Distinction'' designation, an honor given to only a few colleges in the county.
Examples of service to others abound at Misericordia. Many of our academic classes
have service-learning components to them. As someone who teaches one of these

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classes, I can tell you that my students have gained valuable insights into different
cultures from their work at public schools in the region as after-school tutors.

Comments from them have indicated that their introduction to new cultures has
been the highlight of their college experience.
Now prepared with cultural acumen, these students can contribute to society in a
myriad of positive ways.

They will leave college as cultured individuals. One cannot put a price tag on such
learning. These are the students who will eventually work for non-governmental
organizations and community agencies because they take pride in helping others
less fortunate in society. They are more likely to vote and participate in civic
society, and for many of them, the environment will become a major concern.

Another aspect of the intangible impact of a college education is the camaraderie
among students that is promoted through sports, club activities and other related
outlets. Many residential colleges have athletic complexes and special activities for
students that teach the value of teamwork, healthy living and leadership. These
opportunities contribute to making society more productive, help to reduce health
care costs and also produce more well-rounded individuals.

The concept of lifelong learning that society is promoting is best exemplified in a
collegiate setting. The chances are that a good number of college graduates will
continue to want to learn during their lifetime. Having been exposed to the joy and
beauty of learning and the possibilities that follow, college graduates will not be
content with their current knowledge and skill set. More and more people are
returning to college - not necessarily to get a degree - but to learn new skills and
improve on their hobbies or interests, be it painting or their appreciation of music.

These are by-products of a college education that cannot be easily quantified
financially.

Kingsley Banya, Ph.D., is chair of the Department of Teacher Education at
Misericordia University in Dallas.

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Ten Great Reasons to Get a College
Degree
Why Get a Degree?
You've probably heard that before from your friends and colleagues. College can be
expensive, difficult, and time consuming. Many are tempted to quit, or never start.
It's true getting a degree can be overwhelming, but earning a degree is one of the
best things you can do for yourself, as there are many great reasons to get a college
degree.

1. You'll be much more desirable to employers.

In today's market, a degree is more valuable than ever. Having a degree is
necessary when applying for many jobs, and most employers expect their employees
to be college graduates.

2. You'll make lifelong connections.

The people you'll meet in college are on the path to creating their own successful
futures. This can open the door to job opportunities, investment options, and
wonderful friendships that will serve you for your entire life.

3. You'll have more opportunities available to you.

With a degree, you'll have many more careers to choose from, which will give you
more freedom. You'll also stand out from others as promotable, increasing your
career success.

4. You'll discover more possibilities for your future.

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While in college, you might find there's a subject you'd like to pursue; this might
lead you to graduate school, or to a career path you didn't realize you were
interested in.

5. You'll make considerably more money.

Having a degree dramatically increases your earning potential. Some estimates put
lifetime earnings at one million dollars more for those with bachelor's degrees
compared to high school diplomas.

6. You'll develop critical thinking skills.

In college, you'll learn to think more consciously. In-class debates and assignments
will expose you to new ideas, and will teach you lessons that will last a lifetime.
Apart from being a wise career move, college can be a huge step in personal growth.

7. You'll have more control over your life.

With a college degree, you'll be able to choose from more career paths, cities to live
in, and specializations. This will allow you to live a life that is more personalized
than if you only had a high school diploma.

8. You'll be in a position to have an impact on the world.

Going to college creates awareness about issues, which you might find interest you.
Positions that can offer help to others typically require a considerable amount of
college, which offers you valuable, professional training.

9. You'll hold up better during recessions.

Having a degree makes you more likely to maintain employment during a recession.
Even if you lose your job, those with college educations are more likely to be picked
up by new employers.

10. You'll achieve a wonderful sense of accomplishment.

Earning your college degree creates a powerful sense of personal pride. You'll
always be satisfied with what you've accomplished, and it will offer a great self-
esteem boost.
That answers the question of "why get a degree?" The benefits of having one should
outweigh any doubts or fears you may have, so next time you feel like college is
more work than it's worth, remember these great reasons to follow through, and
change your life for the better with a college degree.

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8 Reasons You Should Get a College Degree

I recently wrote two articles about the top 15 college degrees by starting
salary and the top 10 college degrees by demand. On the face, it seems that
those two articles are reason enough to get a college degree. However,
those two articles only apply to a minority of college degree holders.
If you find yourself getting a degree that is on one of those two lists, you
are one step ahead of the game. But for everyone else, what are other
major motivators behind getting a college education?

8 Reasons to Get a Degree

If the fact that your college education is in demand or that you will get a high
starting salary isn’t enough to persuade you, here are some more reasons.

1) Lifetime Earnings

According to the Census Bureau, over the average Adult’s working life a high school
graduate will earn $1.2 million, an associate degree holder will earn $1.6 million, a
bachelors degree holder will earn $2.1 million, and a masters degree holder will
earn $2.5 million. Someone with a four-year college degree will earn almost
twice as much!

Source: "The Big Payoff: Educational Attainment and Synthetic Estimates of Work-
Life Earnings"
This will have a huge impact on your retirement opportunities and your day to day
living.

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Obviously some people will anecdotally have proof that some high school graduate
they know makes $150,000 every year. However, these are anecdotes and are
considered the exception to the rule. The numbers don’t lie. A degree will
increase your earning potential.

2) Job Security

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), “Education pays in higher
earnings and lower unemployment rates.”
In 2008, the BLS reported an unemployment rate of 2% for people with doctoral
degrees, 2.4% for people with master’s degrees, and 2.8% for people with bachelor’s
degrees, 3.7% for people with an associate’s degree, and 5.7% for people with a high
school diploma. These statistics are about a year dated, but still prove a point.

Source: “Education Pays …”

Having only a high school diploma seems to double your chances of facing the
unemployment line.

3) Total Compensation

On top of your salary, which is just part of your total compensation, you will get a
bunch of other fringe benefits such as:

      Career training
      Vacation time and other paid time off (PTO)
      Health/Dental/Vision insurance
      Improved working conditions
      Greater professional mobility

The total compensation package will open your doors to success in the future.

4) Healthcare

The College Board has reported demographic statistics for college graduates based
on research from the American Cancer Society. People with college degrees have a
longer life expectancy and lower risk of obesity and heart disease. This is likely due
to the fact that other studies have shown that college graduates have greater
access to health care, better dietary habits, and lower rates of smoking.
The more routine checkups people get and less at-risk behaviors they participate in,
the earlier they will catch serious problems.

5) Successful Children

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Another pretty neat demographic statistic: Children of college graduates generally
have a better quality of life, improved test scores, and improved cognitive abilities.

6) Work-Life Balance

You’ve probably heard this mantra before in professional companies, “Work Hard,
Play Hard.” I won’t lie; I lived by this when I was working in college. I would work
as hard as I could for 20 to 30 hours per week (my pay at times was results based),
study as hard as I could to stay on the Dean’s list, and then play as hard as I could
to make the most of the time!
College graduates are more likely to get the perk of the “fun factor.” They go to
amusement parks more. They vote more. They read more.

7) Satisfaction

After obtaining my college education, the two most valuable “things” I learned were
the ability to think critically and time-management skills. Thinking critically
and strategically came from my coursework and time-management came from the
hectic work-life-school balance.
There is also satisfaction derived from learning. Now, college isn’t the only way to
learn, but it is definitely a formalized perk. ;)
That seems like a matter of opinion, right? And it is. However, a 2007 University of
Chicago study showed that those who were most satisfied with their jobs had more
education and made more money, while those doing unskilled labor reported being
the least happy.

8) Getting Married

When people look for a spouse, they look for someone with a similar
background usually. That may explain why 25 years ago only 6% of men between
the ages of 40 and 44 and only a high school diploma had never been married. Now,
it is up to 18%. For men between 35 and 39, it was 8% for men with only a high
school diploma. That is now up to 22%.
Did non-college educated men simply decide they were against marriage? Or have
more women gone to college and look for a similarly educated man, now?

Other Perks of a Degree?

Does anyone have any other perks that exist for getting a college degree?
Sometimes people make the argument that a college degree isn’t necessarily worth
it based on numbers alone. However, the question at hand needs to look at non-
quantifiable perks like work-life balance and satisfaction.

Remember, this doesn’t mean that you can’t be successful with only a high
school diploma. But it does mean the odds are against you.

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